Live: Langhorne Slim @ Troubadour

Originally posted on The Scenestar

ARTICLE BY GREG CARUSO
PHOTOS BY JAKE MA

MAY 14 | WEST HOLLYWOOD—Upon listening to Langhorne Slim’s new album, Langhorne Slim, one can’t help but conjure up images of Bob Dylan performing his legendary folk music, or Ben Harper slaying with his sharp-as-a-knife vocals and poignantly truthful lyrics. There are even hints of a post-Beatles John Lennon in Langhorne’s raspy voice, as well as a little Mick Jagger in the way he swaggers on stage. All in all though, Langhorne Slim is not another folk-rock wannabe waiting in the rafters for his turn in the spotlight. Instead, Langhorne commands the spotlight, as I witnessed at the Troubadour, where he and his band, the War Eagles, took to the stage. No one would drop the names I mentioned if they didn’t have such a memorable presence.

Hailing from Langhorne, Penn., Slim and his band, which consists of Malachi DeLorenzo on drums and Paul Defiglia on bass, treated the crowd to a wide variety of musical stylings, which not only meshed together beautifully, but carved out what seems to be Langhorne Slim’s niche: folkabilly. Opening with “Hello Sunshine,” off of Langhorne Slim, the crowd couldn’t help but anticipate how the boys would dazzle us next. DeLorenzo, playing on a three-piece kit with a ride and hi-hat, continuously impressed us with his Keith Moon-style of frenzied playing. Notwithstanding Defiglia on an upright bass, at times bringing out his bow.

SlimThings really got cooking when the band launched into “Mary,” a 1½-minute song from first LP When the Sun’s Gone Down. The song turned into a jam so rollicking that it got the crowd reeling and dancing. “Can I Get a Yeah?” Langhorne asked mid-tune. “YEAH!” the crowd roared, respondent and clear. At times strutting in his too-tight pants and dropping to his knees, Langhorne shows he really knows how to play to and with the audience. When introducing “Hummingbird,” a ballad about two lovers, he spoke about endorsing political candidates and snidely remarked that Hillary Clinton helped him write it. He later went on to say he would not endorse anyone at that time, but knew for a fact that Hillary had a lovely singing voice. Very playful of him!

At the first mention of the evening’s end, the band launched into “I Will,” from Sun’s Gone Down. It’s a tune that has as much country and bluegrass roots as it does funk and soul. “Can I get a yeah?” he screamed. “YEAH!” we screamed yet again. This was followed by a very throaty rendition of “I Ain’t Proud” and an uppity sing-along of “She’s Gone,” which closed the set.

For the encore, Langhorne grabbed his ax and knelt down between mics. Inaudible to anyone but those at the very front, he spoke about being so happy to be there and that he was going to close things out. He began to play “Rebel Side of Heaven,” the current Langhorne Slim single, sans mic and amp. Not often are artists this comfortable, but I think that’s what makes Langhorne Slim so likeable. He’s fearless and confident on stage, and given the recent video for “Rebel,” uninhibited and playful. The band then joined him on stage to say goodnight to the evening with “I Love to Dance.” To us, it was a perfect way to end the night—by dancing.