Youri Blow – Live at Revolver: Gig Reviews

The blues genre can elicit such polarised responses from today’s ardent music fan. Some are taken by it’s lonesome, hypnotic and earthy charm, while some point to it’s predictability as a defining feature of why they will never enjoy it. And then of course there are those who fall somewhere in between.

Your Blow

However, listening to France-native Youri Blow‘s unique and soul-shimmering blues goes a long way to redefining this traditional art form.

Youri was out here for the first time in Australia, having released his second – and arguably more complete – album The Corridor in 2010. His sound falls somewhere between delta blues and light psychedelia, topped off with blood-curdling Jim Morrison-like howls and northern Mongolian throat singing – yes you read that correctly.

There was no real moment of distinction from when Youri Blow went from sound checking to his first song. During the bellowing refrains of “Down In Mississippi”, he exudes a streak of genuine passion, delivering every last lyric with fiery venom. His body is possessed by a passion for transporting his audience with soulful original tracks, even offering up some reimaginings of some familiar tunes from the likes of Blind Wille Johnson and Jimi Hendrix.

As he meticulously crafts each song, layer upon layer Youri plunges further into his dark mystique with all manner of raucous foot stomping, tribal chanting and the aforementioned throat singing, which adds an other worldly presence to this already broad pallet.

Youri Blow is a breath of fresh air. His songs are both familiar and  foreign, melding  enough traditional charm with his expansive vision to delve further into his evolving musical landscapes. Think of him as a pioneer who’s taking an established craft to uncharted territory.

And when he’s back in the country in the not-too-distant futre, consider Youri Blow a must see!