This past summer, London was one of the stops during my holiday. One of my main goals was to hit the record shops, buying vinyl that was a bit harder to come by in the states. This included snapping up Northern Soul 45s. As I flicked through the choices I was reminded that honestly, these artists were made in America. The soul, the R&B that has resonated so strongly in the British clubs over the decades is what still packs out Denver’s Meadowlark at Mile High Soul Club’s (MHSC) dance nights to this day. I didn’t need to import soul, it was already ingrained in this American woman’s DNA. This timeless essence is what will no doubt draw many to see Nick Waterhouse when he comes to Larimer Lounge this Wednesday, September 26, performing with Allah-las, a surf group out of Cali, and of course, the MHSC DJs.
Nick Waterhouse’s debut release, Times All Gone, came out in April of this year after he escaped from a certain someone’s efforts to steal some of his recording sessions last year, leaving one to ask, especially given the history of how many original blues and R&B song makers were stolen from back in the day, “Man, do things ever change?”
On the positive side of things remaining timeless, Times All Gone overflows with seductive tenor and baritone sax, the bluesy lyrical stories of hurt, pain, and tear drops that flow so good (“Say, I Wanna Know,” “Raina”), and of course, that classic guitar line that gets under your skin (“Is That Clear,” “Some Place,” “If You Want Trouble”), causing shivers and shakes. And I couldn’t help but notice that Ty Segal himself played a part in the studio recording, providing his drumming expertise.
The tracks on Times All Gone not only jump across any generation gap, appealing to those with a pulse and a love of music, but each little gem can be cathartic whether you’ve just won the lottery or found your lover in bed with another. For good days and bad, completely bored or totally overwhelmed, as an escape or a rescue, Nick Waterhouse and his Tarots will capture the hearts and hips of R&B fans, American or otherwise, speaking the international language of music love.
Check out a recording of Nick Waterhouse and his Tarots performing at Soul Inn, Berlin, Germany on March 3 , 2012.
Times All Gone North American Tour Dates:
9/26 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
9/28 – St. Louis, MO – Plush
9/29 – Indianapolis, IN – White Rabbit Cabaret
9/30 – Nashville, TN – Hi Watt
10/2 – Washington, DC – RocknRoll Hotel
10/3 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas
10/4 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
10/6 – NYC – Bowery Ballroom
10/8 – Toronto, Canada – Great Hall
10/9 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
10/10 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
10/11 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
10/14 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
10/15 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo
10/16 – Vancouver, Canada – Biltmore
10/17 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
10/20 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s
10/21 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
All dates with Allah-las
11/2 – Austin, TX FUN FUN FUN Festival
For European dates: http://www.nickwaterhouse.com/dates
Twitter: @nickwaterhouse
