While the old greats are gradually leaving the scene, it is reassuring to see that young classic rock groups are still managing to do well. This is the case of Dirty Honey, an American combo which presented itself on Friday evening at the Machine du Moulin Rouge in Paris, with three records released since 2019, while its creation only dates back to 2017.
According to reliable witnesses, the concert already given in the capital in 2023, at the Maroquinerie, was sold out and went very well.
We will say that it was almost the same this time, the room being more than well filled, and the welcome given to the musicians very favorable.
But how could it be otherwise with music that only draws from the right sources, from Led Zeppelin to the Rolling Stones, from Aerosmith to the Faces?
Certainly, Dirty Honey is not yet able to compete with the Black Crowes, but it could well come one day.
Perhaps precisely by showing a little more personality, each song played, very well in absolute terms, inevitably referring to the legends cited above.
The same goes for the look and the attitude, the seen and the reviewed.
Let's understand each other clearly: we have a pleasant time with Dirty Honey, on record as on stage but, if we show a little bottle, which is the case for many fans of classic rock, we find that all this doesn't really advance the schmilblick at the moment...
A much appreciated Rolling Stones cover
Still, the musicians seemed to give their all for what was the last date of their European tour, apparently recorded for a live performance, according to singer Marc LaBelle.
The latter obviously constitutes one of the group's strong points, his voice boosting the first track of the evening, "Can't Find the Brakes", taken from the latest album of the same name.
On “Heartbreaker”, the third track, he has no trouble getting the very willing audience to sing along.
After an energetic “Tied Up”, six-string player John Notto and bassist Justin Smolian each equip themselves with an acoustic guitar, the opportunity to deliver a nice version of “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)”, then a country-style cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women,” which was very popular.
Despite its name, "Don't Put Out the Fire" sets the audience on fire, just like "The Wire", while on the pretty ballad "Another Last Time", Marc LaBalle jumps into the pit before going to sing on the counter located to the left of the stage.
Before a very impactful finale “When I’m Gone”.
John Notto takes advantage of the encore to slam into the pit, playing his solo carried at arm's length by spectators.
Speaking of solo, moreover, it's a bit of a shame that while the singer congratulates himself at length on the fact that the group has a good time left before the 10:30 p.m. curfew, a good part of the remaining time is spent in bass and drum demonstrations not really essential... But hey, as we are entitled to "Satisfied" or "Rolling 7s" next to it, the count remains good.
Dirty Honey enjoyed our honey cages for an hour and a half, that's the main thing.