Slash Gives Boston Nothing But The Blues

As he entered the end of his two-hour, blues-driven solo set, Slash couldn’t help but smile.

The top-hatted guitar hero, best known for his heavy metal exploits with Guns ‘N Roses, as well as his recent collaborations with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, was able to showcase a bluesier side of his repertoire as he headlined the inaugural SERPENT festival on Thursday night at Leader Bank Pavilion.

Billed as a “celebration of the blues,” the festival, which stood for “solidarity, commitment, restoration, peace, equality and tolerance,” played to an enthusiastic crowd of about 3,000. The open-air venue served as the perfect backdrop for a showcase of songs from Slash’s new blues covers album, “Orgy of the Damned.”

“You guys are really great,” Slash said, before introducing the members of his band Blues Ball. “But Boston is still great.”

The Gibson guitarist took full advantage of it, playing nine tracks from his new album, while remaining in the moment and refraining from reprising pieces from his other projects.

The end result turned out to be a more laid-back affair, unlike some of the fireworks on previous tours. However, Slash still managed to make it all work with disconcerting ease.

From the opening riffs of Bukka White’s cover of “Parchman Farm Blues” to the endless groove of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” (the latter of which was covered to perfection on the new record by AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler on harmonica), Slash fervently served the crowd a healthy dose of Blues101. The muggy 90-degree heat seemed only to lend itself to the sweat-soaked atmosphere.

The guitarist paid tribute to a wide range of artists, from Peter Green-era prehistoric Fleetwood Mac on tracks like “Oh Well” to the unbridled music of Freddie King on “Big Legged Woman.” His unique blend of passion and precision also made Hoyt Axton’s “The Pusher” a veritable romp. Each track gave the riff-master plenty of space and extended solo time to expand his creative palette.

Slash even got to tap into his inner Peter Frampton, using the squawk box during a rousing rendition of the Temptations’ hit “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” another set highlight.

Opening band Keb’ Mo’ took the stage, joining the legendary guitarist for a scorching cover of Booker T. and MG’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” adding an extra aura.

Slash’s Blues Ball Band held its own throughout the night. The quartet included longtime GNR member Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on vocals and keyboards, and Tash Neal on vocals and guitar. The duo alternated on lead vocals throughout the set.

Andreadis brought a touch of bite to tracks like the Lightnin’ Hopkins cover “Awful Dream,” while adding a touch of harp whenever asked. Neal tackled soul-inspired numbers like Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad Blues,” as well as the Jimi Hendrix Experience epic “Stone Free,” with a lengthy jam session that closed out the opening set.

Bassist Johnny Griparic and drummer Michael Jerome anchored the rhythm section throughout the band’s encore, handling Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” before closing with the Emore James cover “Shake Your Money Maker.”

With hundreds of spectators decked out in Guns ‘N Roses gear, one couldn’t help but wonder if the crowd was expecting Axl Rose-esque B-sides to resurface. If so, they left empty-handed. Slash stuck strictly to his blues-covered script this time around.

The closest the hitman could come was to strum the love theme from “The Godfather,” “Speak Softly Love,” which served as a concert staple on GNR’s reunion tour. But instead of using it as the intro to “Sweet Child ‘O Mine,” the hitman opted to launch into the T-Bone Walker standard “Stormy Monday.”

Slash did, however, manage to wow by playing his original instrumental “Metal Chestnut” from his new album towards the end of the night, satisfying all the air guitarists in the audience.

Slash Setlist at Leader Bank Pavilion, August 1, 2024

• Parchman Farm Blues (Bukka White cover)
• Killing Floor (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
• Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover) with wheel solo
• Woman with Long Legs (Freddie King cover)
• Awful Dream (Lightnin’ Hopkins cover)
• Dad Was a Rolling Stone (The Temptations cover)
• Stormy Monday (T-Bone Walker cover)
• The Pusher (Hoyt Axton cover)
• Born Under a Bad Sign (Booker T. & the MG’s cover, starring Mo Krebs)
• Metal chestnut
• Cross Road Blues (Robert Johnson cover)
• Stone Free Extended Jam (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)

BIS:

• It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry (Bob Dylan cover)
• Shake Your Slot Machine (Elmore James cover)