It’s The Same Brittany But Different

Bigger view of the poster

I was so disappointed when Brittany Howard left Alabama Shakes to pursue a solo career. Disappointed and excited at the same time. While Brittany was the center of Alabama Shakes and the main reason why I liked them, the Shakes were still a band. I really enjoyed their debut album “Boys & Girls” . I remember the album as my summer of 2012 soundtrack. Their only other album, “Sound & Color” was a step up, sonically and a hint of where Brittany was heading, artistically.  I was fascinated by the band and their dynamic lead singer! My apprehension was justified because, in 2019, Brittany Howard released her first solo album and the style differed from the swampy southern soul/grunge/country rock of Alabama Shakes that I loved so much. 

Give it a Listen

Luckily for me, I like things before I realize that I like them. My first reaction to “Jaime”, Howard’s first solo album, was tepid. The songs were strong lyrically but some of them were played in a style that I was not used to. If there is one thing I have learned in my many years of listening to music, it’s to never make a rash judgment when listening to something new. I gave the new music a chance and eventually found my favorites. I’ve also learned that seeing new songs performed live brings a new appreciation and cements them in your brain. This is why I did not hesitate to get tickets to her solo debut at the Fillmore on November 22nd 2019. I was lucky enough to witness Alabama Shakes in person once and I could not take my eyes off of Brittany during that show. I was sure that she would be, at the very least, entertaining. 

A Force of Nature

Brittany Howard is a dynamic, passionate performer. This fact is undisputable. So I was confident that seeing her perform these new songs was going to be exciting. I was right! Brittany stormed the Fillmore stage and OWNED the building! Her new album did have a charting hit on it called, “Stay High”. I immediately loved this song when I first heard it.  The crowd reacted accordingly when she launched into the catchy song. That was expected. The surprises were the other gems on “Jaime” and the reaction to them. 

SETLIST

Better Live

“Goat Head” is a deeply personal recollection from Brittany’s childhood. Brittany sings about growing up as a mixed-race child and witnessing the prejudices her parents endured. A powerful live performance brought this song to life for me. The other songs on the new album were personal as well. The song “Georgia” had grown on me by showtime. A poignant song about a little Brittany desperately trying to get the attention of an older girl, with a catchy chorus. “I just want Georgia to notice me”. 

Naturally, the biggest reaction of the night came when the familiar, yet soft, beginning of “Stay High”. This song was being played everywhere at the time. Brittany had not one, but two videos on MTV  for it. Another autobiographical telling of life in Athens, Georgia. The story was inspired by Brittany’s father and their loving, yet tragic, family history. It’s a feel good song and Brittany sends those good vibes out from the stage to touch each and every person. This song has some new sounds in it that stick out. One unique sound that kept coming up is chimes. A melody of chimes start “Stay High”. To me, they sound like those toy xylophones that babies hit with a little mallet. The chimes are a theme throughout the record. 

Alabama Shakes was a straight ahead band in concert. A no frills stage, no big lighting or effects. Even Brittany was understated in her appearance with The Shakes. As the band got more popular, Brittany, perhaps gaining confidence, stepped up her wardrobe and style by their second album. Brittany and Alabama Shakes were plucked a few times to perform at special events. Back 2013, it was amazing to see them show up at an “In Performance at The White House” on a night when the music from Muscle Shoals was being honored. The Shakes played with Booker T and guitarist Steve Cropper (both of the MGs) performing “Born Under a Bad Sign”. President Obama had a few of these unbelievable nights while he was in office. Young Brittany was quite the standout! This must have given her a boost also. Now being fully solo, Brittany Howard is very stylish in her sequined smock and cool haircut. 

The band sports two backup singers who stand prominently on stage and actually have some choreographed moves. Brittany’s songwriting companion in the Shakes, bassist Zac Cockrell, followed her to the solo band. He, unlike Brittany, did not step up his clothing game, however.  Still sporting the baseball cap and hillbilly beard. This quiet assassin on the bass can get as funky as needed. The man can obviously play multiple styles! He is competent no matter what Brittany comes up with. 

The Poster

I love the colors on this poster but I am a little disappointed in it, overall. It  doesn’t have anything to do with Brittany Howard. It’s more of a generic picture, though very well executed, of a car on a deserted highway. It is a common occurrence with Fillmore posters but Brittany is such a visual on her own, I would have loved to see her on a poster. The artist was Galine Tumasyan. Galine has produced multiple Fillmore posters as well as other venues all over California. Her style is a little abstract but very accessible. Looking at her many other event posters shows her frequent use of bold colors coupled with psychedelic depictions of everyday items.

Confirmation!

I consider my evening at the Fillmore on this night to have been very special. A big question was answered for me. The question: ‘Is Brittany Howard an artist I still want to continue to follow?’ The answer came pouring over me again and again as the night went on. Yes, YES YES! Brittany is a force that I want to continue to champion. I am onboard for any course she travels because her passion is real and her talent is undeniable. She has opened my mind up to different musical styles that I may not have found on my own. 

What A Coincidence

Little did I know that this would be my last Fillmore poster show for quite awhile.  A little thing called COVID kept me (and everyone else) OUT of the concert venues. It wasn’t until 2024, five long years later, that I returned to the Fillmore on a night when a poster was handed out. Oh BTW,  the artist I saw that recent night, and got the poster, was none other than BRITTANY HOWARD again! I can’t wait to tell you about this one!