German guitarist, singer and composer Kris Pohlmann has already reviewed several albums in Bluesmagazine, and now, in response to his new album ‘Relentless’ that is released today, it is time to visit a concert.
Curious to hear how the new songs sound live. The BLUES venue in Rhede is the perfect opportunity for this and is only 15 km away.
André Knoch introduces the band and tells them that the band has performed here before, the first time about 15 years ago in the previous location New Orleans.
The venue is well filled and the band members enter the stage to loud applause. Kris Pohlmann tells them that they are playing a mix of their entire repertoire tonight, from the first album to the new album plus a few covers.
The band starts off with a bang with heavy guitar riffs, pumping bass and pounding drums in ‘Ain’t Crying For Yesterday’. Kris’ gritty, raw voice fits in perfectly and the guitar solo with wah wah is blazing.
The also rocking ‘One Good Reason’ has a fierce solo and excellent polyphonic singing in the chorus. ‘One Day Baby’ is a nice uptempo blues with a jazzy touch through the drumming and the beautiful deep bass. Beautiful song. Then follows the ballad ‘Feeling Like GoingHome’ in which the singing becomes milder and softer, perfectly fitting the song.
The guitar solo is melodic with a beautiful, compelling sound. From the new album comes the slow blues ‘Don’t Leave’ and Kris says it is about the death of his father. “I have had the guitar I play since I was thirteen and it was always there, just like my father”.
Sensitive and emotional, just like this song. With a different guitar it rocks further in the classic rocker ‘It’s Only Love’ with heavy, heavy riffs: riff-rock! The first cover comes from Otis Rush and that is the uptempo blues ‘Got To be The Blues’ with great rhythms and breaks slide guitar playing is featured.
Funky and groovy through nice riffs it becomes in ‘Fallin’ Down’ the boogie I’m On The Road Again by Canned Head and a piece of Voodoo Child by Jimy Hendrix in the middle, and goes to a rocking climax.
After the break there is a heavy, solid performance of ‘Wishing Well’ by The Free. A drum-bass intro has ‘Unreal’ and again those nice riffs.
Fantastically smooth bass playing by Jonas Bareiteren, tight drums by Roman Midleja carry this song and the beautiful long guitar solo finishes it off.
The whole evening it is noticeable that the band members are having a lot of fun and in ‘Change Your Mind’ it bursts off again. A top unit these three! The longest song is ‘Never Said Goodbye’ an almost nine-minute ballad, sensitively sung and the guitar playing is melodic and the sound full and warm.
The band played its way into the hearts of the audience. … The rhythm section was the band’s outstanding backbone. … but also showcased solos. With subtle drum accompaniment, bassist Andreas Reinhard drew applause after his varied solo performance on the five thick strings of his bass. … Ultimately, the audience’s frenetic applause prompted two encores.
‘Gimmy All Your Lovin’ by ZZ Top is of course tight and with a ‘pinched’ guitar sound. Then follows ‘Heavy Pain’ and that is the first song that Kris wrote and dates from 2003. Funky bass and drums and clear, pointed guitar playing.
Guitar and bass do a kind of duel and singing without microphone in which the audience sings along and claps. Interaction with the audience is great all evening, also through the announcements and explanations between the songs.
A great drum solo follows with double bass. The last song of the set is ‘Tarantula’ with slide guitar and a deep slow riff. Nice!
The audience cheers for an encore and of course it comes.
‘Breakdown’ by Tom Petty opens with subdued guitar playing and has a nice deep groove with a jazzy feel. Kris makes a round through the audience and plays a wonderfully relaxed solo.
The instrumental ‘Serenity’ has a wonderful, sonorous guitar sound from clear to deep tones. The band closes the concert with the well-known ‘Goin’Down’ by Don Nix with fiery guitar playing, pounding drums and pumping bass.
A fitting end to a beautiful, mainly rocking concert. The audience goes crazy and then you have done well as a band!!
Conclusion: Kris Pohlmann and his band members have delivered a nice, solid rocking show with a very enthusiastic audience and a fantastic sound arranged by soundman Jan Tervooren. Top evening and certainly for people who like solid classic rock.
