Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys Concert Review - 11/17/12 - Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA

For nearly 25 years Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Trio have played their own brand of classic American roots music. They seamlessly blend rockabilly, western swing and traditional country into a freewheeling retro sound and add just a touch of present day punk energy.

Big Sandy at Alex's Bar

Tonight's show at Alex's Bar was Big Sandy's first US gig since returning from a November tour of Spain. The band kicked off the show with "Hot Water" from their debut album Fly Rite with Big Sandy & The Fly Rite Trio. From the first note it was easy to see why the band is enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Their excellent musicianship and high energy performance combine for an unforgettable live show. Much of Big Sandy's early material sounds so authentic that it can easily fit right in with the Sun Studio sound of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Their hour and a half set featured songs from every era of the band's career. One of the staples of the Big Sandy live shows is the song "Tequila Calling" from the 2000 album Night Tide. This evening, like many before it, Big Sandy took the opportunity take a tequila shot with the audience while performing the song. This was much to the delight of the several hundred in attendance. No Big Sandy show would be complete without a packed dance floor. Once the band ripped into "Jumpin' From 6 to 6" the front of the stage was mobbed with couples showing off their best moves.

I also had the opportunity to shoot a video of the band performing their classic song "Chalk It Up To The Blues" which is the song they closed the show with at Alex's. Click below to see the video.

Seeing a Big Sandy show is a real treat and is always a ton of fun. Sandy is a little bit of a throwback in the sense that he likes to interact with the crowd like a true showman. He also has a way of connecting with the audience so by the end of the show they feel like Sandy has been a lifelong friend. If you have a chance to see one of their shows make sure you bring your tequila and your dancing shoes and they will give you an experience that you will never forget.