The Record Company and Trombone Shorty at the Forum

Los Angeles rock band The Record Company, who have been touring the states and Europe, supporting legendary names such as the iconic BB King and John Mayer, open the evening’s show at the O2 Forum following the release of their new album All of This Life (2018) as the crowd drift in to see Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.

The trio – Chris Vos (guitar, lead vocals), Alex Stiff (bass, backing vocals) and Marc Cazorla (drums, backing vocals) – open with Baby I’m Broken (2017) and quickly pick up the pace with everyone clapping along to On the Move from their album Give It Back To You (2016). The nostalgic feeling of the harmonica solo against the groovy beat of the song gives it that modern touch which earnt the trio their Grammy nomination.

Vos delivers a polished performance when strumming out the blues rhythms of Hard Day Coming Down and Off the Ground from their earlier release, while The Movie Song from the new album, which takes the audience to the country hills and beyond, has a chorus in the stalls.

The set draws to a close with the emotional number This Crooked City (2016), followed by an upbeat Life to Fix, which is the first track on All of This Life. The beat and backing vocals accompany Vos beautifully in this foot-stomping single that excites listeners from the opening notes of an ambitious album where blues meets punk rock. The final song, I’m Getting Better (And I’m Feeling It Right Now) – with the piercing harmonica that compliments Vos’s emotions and powerful vocals – ends the performance on a high as The Record Company leave the stage to the sound of a satisfied audience at the Forum.

The multi-instrumental New Orleans band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, had the crowd swaying, shaking, smiling and dancing from the aptly titled Intro, moving on to Where It At with quite simply jaw-dropping power on the trombone by the titular frontman. This ensemble owned the stage with an astonishing performance right from the “soul of America”.

This music takes the listener to the past while even the stiffest bodies sway to the smooth rhythms of their jazz/blues fusion. Just looking around the Forum, you are sure to see smiling faces in awe of the band’s impressive musical ability and the soul with which this ability translates into good music.

The evening’s show also included The Craziest Things, On the Sunny Side of the Street and Hurricane Season/ Do to Me. The rhythm and performance of the Louisiana band speak loud and clear, straight through to the blood and bones. A live performance that should really be unmissable.

Marissa Khaos
Photos: Nick Bennet

For further information and future events visit The Record Company’s website here.

Watch the video for I’m Getting Better here: