For attendees of this year’s Meadows Festival who couldn’t get enough, there were plenty of after-shows happening around town. On the middle Saturday of the three-day event, concertgoers willing to make their way from Citifield in Queens to Brooklyn Bowl were treated to a midnight set by St. Paul and the Broken Bones. While some fans in the house had crossed boroughs after a full day of music in Flushing Meadows, most of those who turned out were there to see St. Paul and the Broken Bones, period. Since the 2014 release of Half the City and the breakout hit “Call Me,” the Alabama powerhouse has been steadily attracting a loyal following for their high-energy R&B that recalls the best of the Stax tradition.
Frontman Paul Janeway is equal parts soul singer and gospel preacher. His over-the-top stage presence—from the fire-red suit to his shiny gold shoes—is exceeded only by a voice as big as a hurricane. Shimmying his large frame between powerful vocal blasts, Janeway had everyone at Brooklyn Bowl feeling the spirit. Kicking things off with “Crumbling Light Posts” from the band’s 2016 follow-up album, Sea of Noise, Janeway and the Bones touched all the bases in terms of original material and wisely chosen covers. Mixing “Like a Mighty River” and “Grass is Greener” from Half the City with Van Morrison’s “I’ve Been Working” and the Beatles’ “I Want You/She’s So Heavy”, the ensemble created an old-and-new, borrowed-and-blue vibe. At various point, Janeway reached into the audience and walked the outer ledges of the Brooklyn Bowl stage to get up close and personal with fans.
Not to be overlooked are the rock-solid musicians supporting Janeway’s showmanship. Bassist Jesse Phillips is a long-time collaborator and founding member of the band. Guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Andrew Lew, and keyboardist Al Gamble are all top players, complemented by a three-piece horn section to deliver a rich and soulful sound. Closing things down with their original ballad “Burning Rome,” St. Paul and the Broken Bones sent their fans out into the cool September air happy and sated. It was after 2 am, and another full day of music lay ahead.
Check out a full gallery of St. Paul and The Broken Bones’ show at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday night below, courtesy of Lou Montesano.
Setlist: St. Paul & The Broken Bones | Brooklyn Bowl | New York City, NY | 9/16/17
Crumbling Light Posts Pt. 1, Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), Like a Mighty River, I’ll Be Your Woman, Tears in the Diamond, All I Ever Wonder, Grass Is Greener, Band Instrumental, Eventually (Tame Impala), Midnight on the Earth, I’ve Been Working (Van Morrison), Broken Bones & Pocket Change, Call Me
E: I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles), Half the City, Burning Rome
