The Cadillac Three rolled into Cardiff and it was a packed Tramshed who turned out to greet them. Whilst this trio originate from Nashville and cut their teeth in the traditional honky tonks, what they deliver is a far cry from good old country music. Sometimes it was downright dirty rock and roll, sometimes a little country and other times southern rock.
They didn’t rely on any gimmicks in their performance, just three musicians and a simple, yet effective light show playing 23 songs in a two-hour setlist. But to see them live is to appreciate what three outstanding musicians can deliver. Lead vocalist Jaren Johnston is all about the guitar, Neil Mason takes charge of the drums and Kelby Ray works his magic and pulls it all together on his lap steel guitar. It sounds very simple, but the experience is something else completely.
‘I’m Southern’ starts the performance with a slow and steady pace, and the crowd-pleasing fantastically gritty drawn-out and dirty version of ‘Tennessee Mojo’ from their debut album see the front rows in ecstasy, singing out loud.
‘Slide’, ‘Peace Love and Dixie’, and ‘Back It Up’ have all set the scene with their infectious rhythms and foot-tapping grooves before the first of tonight’s new material is aired.
And through the initial burst of adrenaline-fuelled excitement, you quickly realise just how good this band is. No airs, no graces; just turn up and rock-out. There are some quieter moments, with the emotion of ‘Runnin’ Red Lights, ‘Slow Rollin’ and ‘Sabbath on Cornbread’ and the tension of ‘Tabasco & Sweet Tea’.
Four songs from ‘The Years Go Fast’ album; ‘Double Wide Grave’, ‘Hillbilly’, ‘Love Like War’, and ‘The Worst’ are welcomed like old friends, although inevitably it’s the likes of ‘Down To The River’, and ‘White Lightning’ that seem to really ignite the passion in the crowd.
The new album, which saw some of the most reflective work the band has written, fits snuggly into their catalogue and ‘Double Wide Grave’ is all about a cranking riff and tough guitar sound. ‘The Worst’ bouncing bassline follows and then ‘Hillbilly’, but these two new songs are separated by the stone-cold classic that is ‘Bury Me in My Boots’. An arena-sized roar greets this old favourite, as one does with ‘Head Over Wheels’ and ‘Whiskey-Soaked Redemption’.
The new record answers any lingering questions about their lyrical prowess.
There’s a parade of Southern Rock staples rolled out by the band: both ‘Blues El Camino’ and ‘Peace, Love and Dixie’ have a ZZ Top feel to them particularly in the drums, ‘Down to the River’ is filled with pain and loss and ‘Take Me To The Bottom’ is another heart-rending country ballad.
The Cadillac Three have become synonymous with care-free experimentation. Their rebellious spirit has seen them flit seamlessly between Southern Rock, Funk, and 70’s Disco.
After the singalong ‘Runnin’ Red Lights’, frontman Jaren Johnson announces an unusual addition to the set, ‘Love Like War’, centring on an adversarial friendship. The band might have had the same members as they go into their second decade, but with work like this it’s a world away from the debut, a mature, expansive discussion on a failing relationship. It’s a mark of Johnston’s skill as a songwriter.
The rip snorting ‘American Slang’ – not a Gaslight Anthem cover – and ‘White Lightning’ follow and pushes the evening towards a final crescendo, leaving only their anthem ‘The South’ to close out the show.
Some of the standout moments came on the slower songs. ‘Tennessee Mojo’ provided a slinky, bluesy highlight early in the set, and his solo ‘Runnin’ Red Lights’ showed that the group are just as comfortable showing their emotional side as they are rocking out.
It was a high-energy rock ‘n’ roll performance with a southern/hillbilly flair – the atmosphere was electric, the audience was determined to have a blast, and this vibrant energy was reciprocated by the band. The Cadillac Three prove themselves to be very much worthy of a seat at the top table.
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