SLASH – Live at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival

RELEASE YEAR: 2025
BAND URL: https://www.slashonline.com/

This is something quite different yet very refreshing; a collection of classic blues tracks recorded by a wicked band comprised of Teddy “ZigZag” Andreadis (keyboards, harmonica, and vocals), Tash Neal (rhythm guitar and vocals), Johnny Griparic (bass and backing vocals), Michael Jerome (drums), and then obviously the maestro himself on the six-string, the legendary Slash. Not exactly a bad line-up and collectively they ooze pedigree, confidence, perfect instinct, and sheer enthusiasm. Interpreting classic blues rock staples by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix, Elmore James, Bob Dylan, and Howlin’ Wolf among others clearly suits these chaps, and the album possesses a raw, loose, and groovy feel that is utterly appealing. Everyone involved clearly has a ball throughout, and the output is nothing if not entertaining, but some selections and renditions are, unsurprisingly, more riveting and fierier than others, which means that the whole thing ebbs and flows a little with respect to quality and coherence. Simply put, it does run out of steam now and then and not every song is necessarily engaging, nor a winner.

Thanks to the atmosphere captured on the recording and the intuitive interplay between the aforementioned musicians, this is undoubtedly a fun thing to experience, and there is a vitality to such tracks as “Born Under a Bad Sign,” “Cross Road Blues,” and especially “Oh Well” that is undeniable. Like I said, this is good fun all in all.

Please note that this review only covers the audio part, not the accompanying concert film.