On Saturday, May 28th Dom Flemons, the “American Songster” and co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, came to Saturn in Birmingham, AL to play to the enthusiastic crowd with Florence, AL up and comers The Bear.
The Bear at Saturn Birmingham
The Bear at Saturn Birmingham
The Bear at Saturn Birmingham
The Bear is anchored by the husband and wife duo of Louisa Murray (lead vocals) and Nathan Pitts (lead guitar). Their soulful and melodic songs blend well with Louisa’s rich voice as she moves from one instrument to another with kind remarks for the crowd in between. The 45 minute set mostly included songs from their latest album Overseas then Under (Single Lock Records 2013). The Bear was a great opener for Dom Flemons, impressing the crowd and showing out as another talented group from the state of Alabama.
Dom Flemons at Saturn Birmingham
Dom Flemons at Saturn Birmingham
Dom Flemons at Saturn Birmingham
It did not take long for Dom Flemons to have complete control of the select crowd at Saturn on Saturday night. He took the stage with a harmonica around his neck and some rib bones between his fingers and started the show off in true Dom Flemons fashion. With traces of Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and Roy Rodgers, Dom could easily be grouped with more current artists like Leon Bridges, Pokey LaFarge and Madison Ward and the Mama Bear. He was joined by the only member of his band, Brian Farrow (standup bass, fiddle), on about half of the songs scattered throughout the set that lasted around 90 minutes. Their chemistry was evident as they were both having fun on stage which got the crowd even more engaged in their performance. By the end of the 3 song encore the lucky concertgoers realized what a show Dom and Brian just put on, providing them with a standing ovation.
All photos and written by Art Husband.
Additional photos from the evening:
Watch Dom Flemons’ video for “Too Long (I’ve Been Gone)”:
Watch The Bear perform “I Want” live in Florence:
