BOB BRADSHAW : LIVE IN BOSTON

BOB BRADSHAW : LIVE IN BOSTON

Talkin' About My Love For You
Material For The Blues
Hot In The Kitchen
Albuquerque
The Art Of Feeling Blue
High Horse
Everybody's Smalltime Now
The Assumptions We Make
Somebody Told Me A Lie
Sideways
Every Little Thing
High On Our Own Supply
Exotic Dancers Wanted

Label : Fluke Records

Release Date : March 28, 2025

Length : 47:53

Review (Written In Music) : Hij is afkomstig uit het Ierse Cork en een tijdje actief als busker in Duitsland en Portugal. In de vroege jaren negentig verhuist Bob Bradshaw naar San Francisco, waar hij Resident Aliens, een folkrockgroep opricht. Zestien jaar geleden studeerde hij af aan het gerenommeerde instituut Berklee College of Music. Zo’n 10 langspelers vult Bradshaw met eigen sfeervol songwerk waarbij de inbreng van de vertrouwde snarentandem Andrew Stern/Andy Santospago geenszins te onderschatten valt. Dat wordt meteen duidelijk in deze live opgenomen eendaagse studiosessie met de opener Talking About My Love for You drijft op de markante sound die deze gitaristen creëren. In Material for the Blues komt de piano van James Rohr op de voorgrond. Het rockende Hot in the Kitchen is evenals het ingetogen, countryneske Somebody Told Me a Lie afkomstig van het recente The Art of Feeling Blue. Santospago bepotelt subtiel de pedalsteelsnaren, hij zat destijds mee aan de schrijftafel voor de fraaie titeltrack van het recente studioalbum. Een ander hoogtepunt blijft het nog met bassist Sam McGuire tot stand gekomen Albuquerque, een sterk western getint borderepos. In het eveneens uit Queen of the West geplukte High Horse krijgen co-componist Stern en kompaan Santospago volop de ruimte om de snarenduivels te ontbinden in verschroeiende escapades. Het tweede deel start eerder behoedzaam met Everybody’s Smalltime Now, een accuraat relaas op een weerom wonderlijk snarentapijt. Ouder werk uit American Echoes, zoals The Assumptions We Make en Exotic Dancers Wanted klinkt nog altijd relevant in en verdient waardering bij een ruimer publiek. Hopelijk resulteert deze dwarsdoorsnede van Bradshaw’s uitgebreide repertoire in een hernieuwde kennismaking.

Review (Americana UK) : Back in early 2000, ‘Bob Bradshaw’ was a Planning Officer employed by Weatherfield Borough Council, appearing briefly in “Coronation Street”; however, the subject here is not the fictional Corrie character, but Bob Bradshaw the Irish-born, Boston (USA) based musician. After releasing ten albums of original songs between 1995 (initially with the band Resident Aliens and their self-titled release (Bradshaw’s first solo album would be 1997’s “Some Assembly Required“)) and 2023’s “The Art of Feeling Blue“, Bradshaw has elected to do something a little different for his 11th LP. As the title suggests, this record has been recorded ‘live’ with his band, but not in a concert setting, instead in the studio. “Live in Boston” was recorded in a single (long) day at Q Division Studios, Massachusetts (a studio that has previously seen names such as James Taylor, Natalie Merchant and Jerry Douglas come through its doors). Bradshaw sings and plays guitar and is accompanied by Andrew Stern (electric guitar), Andy Santospago who plays electric and steel guitars, James Rohr (keyboards), John Sheeran (bass) and Mike Connors on drums. Noted for his songwriting, Bradshaw names John Hiatt, Nick Lowe and Guy Clark as his own songwriting heroes. “Live in Boston” consists of 13 songs, all re-worked, based on arrangements crafted through many years of playing them in a concert setting. ‘Talkin’ About My Love For You‘ kicks off proceedings, originally appearing on the album, “Home“; it features a nice atmospheric electric guitar solo. While ‘Material for the Blues‘ is a slower affair, with piano prominent. ‘Hot in the Kitchen‘ from “The Art of Feeling Blue” is an infectious, straight ahead rock song which concludes with catchy guitar licks. ‘Albuquerque‘ is a highlight on this record; compared to the 2018 original, the new version has much more of a country feel to it, featuring steel guitar, whereas the 2018 version features acoustic guitar and fiddle. Lyrically, it paints a picture; “The night that I drove south from Albuquerque, With the top of my convertible rolled down, I little dreamed by morning light I’d park me, In a sleepy, dusty, tranquil border town“. Much of the guitar work on the album is excellent, with the extended solo on the rocky ‘High Horse‘, the solos on ‘The Assumptions We Make‘ and ‘Every Little Thing‘ being particular highlights. ‘Somebody Told Me a Lie‘ is perhaps the closest arrangement to its original (2023), although it is freshened up a little; it has a slow, deliberate tempo and again features some nice electric guitar playing. ‘Sideways‘ originally from 2021’s “The Ghost Light” has an updated feel to it (and lacking the original’s concertina); sounding like something from a spaghetti western. The record closes with the very dark ‘Exotic Dancers Wanted‘ (originally from 2017 “American Echoes“). Showcasing a range of different musical styles, from blues, through country and rock; generally the song versions that appear on “Live in Boston” are sufficiently different to the original versions to make this release more than worthwhile; it’s interesting to see how the songs have evolved over time. Bradshaw’s website likens the process of reimagining his songs for inclusion on this LP to pentimento, which refers to a change made by the artist during the process of painting, covering up the original brush strokes with new paint; over extended periods of time (or by using x-ray techniques) it may be possible to see the previous images and therefore shed some light on the development of the artwork.

Review (Airplay Direct) : After releasing ten albums of original songs since 1995, Bob Bradshaw decided to mix things up with his eleventh release: it would be a live album, recorded in the studio with his crack band of Boston musicians. The result is Live In Boston, 13 songs fine-tuned and re-imagined from the many shows he has played over the years in the bars and clubs of New York, San Francisco and Boston. The songs on ‘Live In Boston’ owe a debt to Bradshaw’s songwriting heroes – John Hiatt, Nick Lowe and Guy Clark. There’s humor and storytelling in the lyrics, while the music reflects his interest in a wide range of Americana: from the countrypolitan sweep of ‘Albuquerque’ to the rock and roll of ‘Hot In The Kitchen’; from the heartfelt folk of ‘Material For The Blues’ to the guitar-driven roots-rock of ‘Talkin’ About My Love For You'. Irish- born Bradshaw began his musical journey as a street performer in Europe, living mostly in Germany and Portugal. In the early 90s he found himself in San Francisco, becoming bandleader of the noted roots/folk- rock group ‘Resident Aliens’, before moving east to enroll at the Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2009. Live In Boston was recorded in a single day at Q Division Studios, Massachusetts by Rafi Sofer. Dave Westner mixed the album, and Adam Ayan mastered it.

Review (Q Division Studios) : A few months ago Bob Bradshaw brought his band of killer players to Studio A, alongside a very talented video crew, and proceeded to record a live album in a single day! Mike, John, Steven, Andrew, Peat, Bob, James, Rafi, Andy, Frank, Mark. The band, which plays regularly with Bradshaw in haunts as near as the Lizard Lounge and as far as Tipperary, Ireland, is a finely tuned band. Featuring (the Amazing) Mike Connors on drums, Andrew Stern on guitar, John Sheeran on bass, and special guests James Rohr on piano and Andy Santospago on pedal steel and guitar, this crew pulled no punches during an incredibly long day. They recorded upward of 12 songs! The video crew, helmed by Mark Steele captured multiple cameras with fantastic lighting, and the resulting album will be released soon – the videos have been trickling out in anticipation of this release. Rafi Sofer recorded the band, and Dave Westner mixed it (not at Q:).

Review (Jam Sphere) : For an artist as seasoned as Bob Bradshaw, the desire to break new ground and challenge oneself creatively is a natural evolution. After ten albums of original studio recordings, Bradshaw’s eleventh release, ‘Live In Boston’, marks a bold and inspired departure—a raw, unfiltered performance captured live in the studio with a handpicked band of Boston’s finest musicians. The result is an album that crackles with energy, heart, and the kind of musical interplay that can only come from years spent honing one’s craft on stage. Born in Ireland, Bradshaw’s journey as a musician has taken him across the globe, from the streets of Europe, where he performed as a busker, to San Francisco, where he fronted the roots-rock outfit Resident Aliens. His pursuit of musical excellence led him to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2009. With a deep well of experience informing his songwriting and performance, ‘Live In Boston’ captures the spirit of an artist whose influences—John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Guy Clark—shine through in every note, while still forging a distinct identity that is unmistakably his own. Bradshaw has always had an innate ability to marry storytelling with melody, crafting songs that feel both personal and universal. Each track on ‘Live In Boston’ tells a story, from wistful reflections on love and loss to foot-stomping anthems that beg for an audience to sing along. It’s a culmination of decades of performing in bars, clubs, and intimate venues, where each lyric must resonate deeply and each note must carry weight. Unlike a traditional live album recorded in front of an audience, ‘Live In Boston’ was captured in a single day at Q Division Studios in Massachusetts. This approach allowed Bradshaw and his band—Andrew Stern (electric guitar), Andy Santospago (electric and steel guitars), James Rohr (keyboards), John Sheeran (bass), and Mike Connors (drums)—to harness the immediacy and authenticity of a live performance while maintaining the pristine audio quality of a studio setting. Engineered by Rafi Sofer, mixed by Dave Westner, and mastered by Adam Ayan, the album presents Bradshaw’s songs in their most electrifying and intimate form. The musicianship on this album is impeccable. Each player brings a distinctive touch, from the shimmering pedal steel flourishes to the driving, unfaltering rhythms that form the album’s backbone. There’s an intuitive chemistry at play here—Bradshaw’s band doesn’t just accompany him; they elevate the music, breathing life into every track with effortless precision and soul. The album kicks off with the driving force of “Talkin’ About My Love For You”, a track that sets the tone with its infectious groove and spacey ebow-styled guitar work. Bradshaw’s voice is commanding yet intimate, pulling the listener into the album’s rich sonic world. “Material For The Blues” shifts gears, offering a soulful, acoustic-driven ballad laced with introspective lyricism and warm piano chords. The album then ignites into full throttle with “Hot In The Kitchen”, a raucous rock and roll number with pounding drums and fiery guitar licks that demand to be played at full volume. Bradshaw’s knack for storytelling is front and center in “Albuquerque”, a countrypolitan gem steeped in nostalgia and longing. Meanwhile, “The Art of Feeling Blue” bathes in dark-hued Americana, balancing grit and subtlety with masterful finesse. “High Horse” and “Everybody’s Smalltime Now” maintain the album’s steady pulse of guitar-driven tension and evocative lyricism. The Dylanesque “The Assumptions We Make” delivers a deeply introspective moment, where Bradshaw’s storytelling reaches poetic heights. There’s a touch of vintage jazz inflection in “Somebody Told Me a Lie”, evoking late-period Elvis Costello with its languid, soulful delivery. The mood intensifies with “Sideways”, a hypnotic, groove-laden track filled with brooding atmosphere and simmering urgency. The album’s penultimate moments arrive with “Every Little Thing”, a track that seamlessly blends classic rock aesthetics with an aching, melancholic beauty. “High On Our Own Supply” quickens the pulse once more, propelling the listener forward with its driving energy before the album closes on a softer yet poignant note with “Exotic Dancers Wanted”. What makes ‘Live In Boston’ truly special is its authenticity. This is not a studio-polished, overdub-heavy collection of songs. It is a record that breathes, pulses, and feels alive with every note. Bradshaw’s ability to traverse folk, rock, blues, and country with ease speaks to his mastery as a songwriter and performer. His voice, rich with experience and emotion, anchors each track, while the musicianship of his band elevates every moment with effortless chemistry. Bob Bradshaw has spent decades refining his craft, and with ‘Live In Boston’, he delivers an album that not only pays tribute to his influences but also solidifies his place as one of the most compelling voices in modern Americana. The album is both a celebration of live performance and a showcase of Bradshaw’s enduring artistry. From the rollicking highs to the reflective lows, every track offers something unique, something real—an invitation to step into Bradshaw’s world and experience music in its purest, most unfiltered form. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, this album is an essential listen—one that transports you to the dimly lit bars and clubs where Bob Bradshaw’s music was meant to be heard, in its most unvarnished and electrifying form. A love letter to live performance, ‘Live In Boston’ is proof that music, at its best, is raw, honest, and alive.