Overview: For fans of The Steeldrivers, Turnpike Troubadours, The Band - fantastic Rockpalast appearance by the US band from the Crossroads Festival in Bonn (Germany) on November 8th, 2009 including the hits Jackson’s Station and Shine A Light in 2009, the band was nominated for the New Emerging Artist Award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards - A year later, they were again nominated by the Americana Music Association for the Best Duo/Group of the Year award.

DVD+CD: The three front musicians of the Band Of Heathens, Colin Brooks, Gordy Quist and Ed Jurdi, all not only excellent singers and instrumentalists, but also very talented songwriters, founded the band in November 2005 in Austin, Texas.

Bassist Seth Withney and drummer John Chipman, who had previously played with The Resentments, completed the quintet in 2007. Since then, the Texans have enjoyed a great reputation among Americana and roots rock fans.

The band’s first two albums were live CDs, and it was only in May 2008 that the five musicians recorded their first studio album, produced by US folk rock legend Ray Wylie Hubbard. The album reached number 1 in the Americana Charts and the Euro Americana Charts.

In addition to further awards (including nominations at the Americana Music Honors & Awards and the Americana Music Association), the band won the Austin Music Award as Best New Band. In 2009, the next long player, One Foot in the Ether, followed, and in the fall the Band Of Heathens successfully toured Europe, also making a Rockpalast appearance on November 8th at the Harmonie in Bonn.

Whether you are watching this DVD or simply listening to the songs via the CD, one thing is very clear: the substance of these songs is generally quite heavy. Yet, due to their respective deliveries — whether in a roots rock, funk, or soul format — they make it something that you can easily put on during a lazy Sunday; of which I myself have done many a weekend over the years.

As for this show, well, this is the lineup that bowled me over immediately back in the day. I saw them live a few times in small venues and thus I have never quite understood why they haven’t received more widespread recognition. Such a variety of influences molded into a unique sound the band as is a rock ’n’ roll with tinges of the blues, Americana and folk blended to enhance their rhythmic harmonies to perfection.

In short, if you like The Band, The Eagles or The Jayhawks, Dan Penn or Jake Smith aka The White Buffalo and have developed an affinity for country meets soul meets folk and gospel, this live Rockpalast show is for you and you can enjoy plenty of musical Southern atmosphere.

1. What’s This World 2. Shine A Light 3. Nine Steps Down 4. Right Here With Me 5. Somebody Tell The Truth 6. Judas ’Scariot Blues 7. Say 8. Hey Rider 9. Golden Calf 10. L.A. County Blues 11. Heart On My Sleeve 12. Don’t Call On Me 13. Unsleeping Eye 14. 40 Days 15. Jackson’s Station (unplugged)

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