Thanks to member Zelda for submitting this review of Bobby Long's show supporting Steve Winwood at The Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, MO on Monday, May 14th.

The first time I saw Bobby Long was on April 22, 2009 at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN. The venue held about 200 people at the time (they’ve since remodeled and doubled in size) I was there with friends to see these guys that truthfully, I’d never heard of. I got a call from a friend saying, “Are you going to see Bobby and Sam (Bradley…of course)?” My response was “Who the hell are Bobby and Sam?” She proceeded to tell me all about them so I said sure. I don’t have anything better to do. So I went and when I got there, imagine my surprise to see a completely packed room. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but seeing a crowd that was 99% women was not it. I spent a lot of that night outside smoking to be honest. I’d never heard these guys and truthfully, although they were talented musicians and Bobby’s voice got me even then, they weren’t really my style. I got dragged back the following night and it was pretty much a repeat of the previous night. Funny thing about it though, those two fairly uneventful nights changed my life.

Fast forward 3 years. The Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, MO. A beautiful venue that seats 3,500 people. I was there by choice this time. I sat 26 rows back with my one of my best friends, Tara, who I’ve been to far too many Bobby Long shows with to count. We agreed that this was the farthest we’ve ever been from the stage at a Bobby show. It was fine though. It didn’t matter that we weren’t up front. Bobby came on stage, just him and his guitar, and before you know it, you feel like no matter how many people are in the room, and no matter how big the room is, he’s putting on an intimate show. He demands attention and he sure got it. There was no fanfare, no smoke and lights, just him, his amazing guitar skills, his powerful voice and a presence that just drew the crowd in. This crowd was a hell of a stretch from those first shows. Since Bobby was opening for legend Steve Winwood, his audience this night was a much older crowd. Tara and I felt really fresh and young, not that we were complaining, it just isn’t what we’re used to. The people surrounding us knew good music and by the halfway point of Bobby’s set, these folks seemed to be onboard with us. The reaction he got from the crowd was amazing. Cheers and whoops and hollers, not just from us, rang out around the room.

Knowing that I’d be writing a review of this show, I prepared by keeping a set list. I have gone over in my mind several times how to describe this show and I figured just sharing it, song by song with some side notes, will give you the best idea of what the experience was like. If you’ve seen Bobby, you’ll be able to imagine, if not, then get your butt to a show near you and see what I’m talking about. You won’t be disappointed.

~Who Have You Been Loving (one of my all time Favorite Bobby songs)

~Two Years Old (in which he messed up the lyrics. I told him they were his songs, he could sing them however he wanted…but he messed up my sing along)

~Mumble Mumble Mumble (I know he was telling a witty story about Brian, his tour manager, and something about a wreck that had delayed their trip to St. Louis from Chicago, but I swear, I couldn’t understand a damn word he was saying. Again, if you’ve seen Bobby, you’ll understand. There always seems to be a point where we’re all looking at each other going, “What did he say?”)

~In The Frost (which is always a favorite for me. It’s good for some chair dancing and I’m a chair dancing pro)

~Story about playing a show on mother’s day where someone had suggested that he should dedicate this next song to his mother. He replied that the song was about death, although he dedicated it to her anyway, but clarified that his mom was fine.)

~Where You Lay (during this song the lady next to me asked what his name was and said “He’s pretty good isn’t he?” umm…yeah. He’s pretty good)

~I Will Help You Mend (this is when I called Krissy Jill and put it on speaker phone. It’s her new favorite and I didn’t feel right hearing it without her. This is also a song from his upcoming Album, which I can tell you with certainty, is going to be Amazing!!)

~DEDICATION TO “TARA AND SARAH **Chuckle Chuckle** no, I’m kidding this is for Tara and Laura”. (okay…now this is where the whole story goes south. I’ve been respectful so far in this review but any other time, I have been, and will be, calling Mr. Long, Billy. If he can’t get my name right, I won’t be getting his right either )

~Dead and Done (which made Tara and I both say “Damn, Bobby” He played that song like his life depended on it)

~Shouted Babbling from a girl in the crowd that NO ONE understood. (Bobby said he had no idea what she’d said, but this song is for her)

~Penance Fire Blues (I have no words how good this was. After he was done, people around us were asking who this kid was. He definitely wrapped it up on a high note.)

After the show, Bobby did a meet and greet and signed CD’s for new fans. I don’t know why we were surprised with the ridiculously long line that had formed for him. He was as gracious as ever and spoke with fans and signed their purchases for them. I guess when the new album comes out in September, I may have to queue up for one of those, but for the meantime, we just stood back and enjoyed all the new fans he’d made that night. I did give him the stink eye for his little joke of calling me Sarah…again…and he at least had the decency to look a tiny bit chagrined, although I know he wasn’t. He thinks he’s real funny.

I didn’t jump on the wagon right away, but I have to admit it now, I’m a huge Bobby Long Fan. I have come to appreciate his music and get to know him as a person. He’s a great musician and a really nice guy. I remember the Bobby I saw 3 years ago. He was always good, but seeing him now in these large venues, working the crowd, drawing them in and making fans is just amazing to see. He’s better now and I am so excited to see how much better he can get. My hope is that years from now, I’ll be at a Bobby Long show, with my friends, and he has some kid opening for him and we can look back and say “Remember when Bobby was that kid opening for a Legend and WE were the young faces in the crowd?” And Tara can respond, “Yep. Now hand me my walker, we have to beat the crowd out of here”

Posted at 6"06 pm cdt