Jonny the Saint & Ringside Music @ the H.O.B.

Jonny the Saint and the Velvet Hand felt right at home in the intimate sonic confines of the House of Blues’ Cambridge Room. Following on the heals of the jam-band stylings of Gravity Feed, and the blue-eyed soul, Hendrixian guitar-technics of Daniel De Larocha, the Saint’s roots-funk-rock-reggae amalgam of songs, fresh from their brand new CD, Forever and Always No Matter What, was a breath of listenable fresh air. The Saint took the stage at the House of Blues at 10:35 and didn’t stop until the House’s house lights came up past midnight — in a marathon set that went from new, instant classics like Roadtrip Runnin’ to old crowd faves such as Preacher Man and Gone Away. Before the Saint finally went away themselves, they even rewarded their loyal following with a rousing rendition of that 80’s anthem, Don’t Stop Believing. Fitting as none in the audience have stopped believing in the Saint’s ability to fill a room with their unmistakable sound.

~Gary G.