Benjamin Booker began in the DIY punk scene and worked his way through many musical incarnations, including garage rock and blues rock, all influenced by Americana sounds, a reflection of his Florida upbringing. Yet, none of these sounds seemed to capture the true essence of who he was as an artist.
We knew the artist Benjamin Booker but we didn’t know the person Benjamin Booker. With his new album, LOWER, produced with Kenny Segal, a prolific legend in the beat scene. we finally get to see Booker self-actualize, coming the closest he’s ever been to representing himself authentically. This is his first album since Witness in 2017, and in that 8-year gap Booker went through a near-death experience followed by several life changes, including a move to a new country. His set at the Marquis Theater in Denver, CO, encapsulated this growth achievement, showcasing how far he’s come. His raspy, crooning vocals forward, with sharp, articulate guitar playing filled the room. Segal’s foundation of beats provides the perfect backdrop for Booker, but make no mistake – this is the Benjamin Booker show.
You could tell by watching the crowd that everyone was hanging onto his words and his guitar playing. At times, the entire crowd was swaying to the music, especially during the breakdown in “LWA IN THE TRAILER PARK”. It was easy to get lost in the music; you couldn’t hear any sounds in the room except for what was coming from the speakers and the stage. Benjamin Booker and his trio mostly played songs from the new release, which is usually a good indicator of a strong album when an artist already has a few under their belt. With a setlist primarily filled with new material, the venue was filled with the layers of the new tracks and the songs were given a new life in a live setting.
In LOWER, Booker took a chance on a hybrid production that blends hip hop beats with blues elements. In writing it may seem like it doesn’t work in a live setting, but when you have a talented drummer on stage and a master of production like Segal on the beats, it becomes magic. This is a show that you definitely want to see and it sets Benjamin Booker up for the next stage of his career.
Watch the full set from an earlier date at Soda Bar in San Diego:
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