Buffalo Nichols precisely adjusted his ‘Dobro’ guitar. As he honed in, correcting each of the strings, his bottom one droning, he played a few licks and harmonic taps until the intonation was pitch-perfect. Of itself, it was a melodic and gentle easing into the night. Nichols was captivating from the start as he launched into a mid-tempo, open tuning slide guitar tune from his debut recording: Lost and Lonesome. A traveller’s sombre revelation of isolation and despair asking: “Why I’m always all alone?”.

Next, he went into a country-picking song titled Life Goes On. In between his chords, he flourished brief and elaborate riffs showing another aspect of his guitar prowess. Nichols’ bright playing contrasted the resignation of his love interest just making through another day together. Then ending it with a sort of explosive Earl Scruggs riff. This man has some really great guitar chops.

The third song started with extended Spanish guitar riffs that quickly changed into hill country guitar picking. The first lyrics divulged a classic. “Well, if it keeps on raining the levee’s gonna break.”  His interpretation was more inspired by the original Minnie Memphis version than Led Zeppelin. Inconspicuously toe-tapping on an amplified pedal, he kept a 4/4 downbeat and a certain one-man-band roundness to his music. His sound was playful and rhythmic.

Nichols brought out his “Irish band” on bass and drums for the remaining show. They played the title track from his latest release: The Fatalist. The band lent a bigger power-trio rock sound.

Midway, he worked into an extended sonic space of atmospheric feedback. Then the band returned to the song. His throaty voice and slide guitar is a canvas for his lyrics. A dark struggle between despair and hope.

Living Hell kept it turned up with some straight up electric blues guitar solos. The feedback-play was masterful. Just on this side of controlled chaos.

The set hit a full crescendo with Nichol’s single You’re Going to Need Somebody On Your Bond before closing with one of his older songs How to Love. Leaving us with redemption and wisdom. “Yeah, the way you hurt me showed me how to love.”

Admitting to feeling foul with a nasty bug, Nichols’ show seemed slightly short. However, without doubt, he gave it his all. Nichols soldiered on, making him laudable. I walked away knowing who I had just experienced was someone special and exceptionally talented.

This blues troubadour plays with youthful energy. However, his voice is that of an old soul. Don’t miss out on him. Check out Buffalo Nichols.

Report by Phillip Solmonson

Photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’