Be Right Here
Be Right Here gives Blackberry Smoke's familiar sound enough small changes to keep it lively. The songs draw on rock, country and soul, with the guitars sharing space with clear melodies and useful keyboard detail. Dave Cobb's production captures the ease between the players. The band sound assured without making every song depend on the same kind of force.
Dig A Hole is a strong opening. Its steady weight and rhythm establish the band's presence, but the middle section is what makes the arrangement more interesting. Soulful backing voices and fuller keyboard chords give the song another direction, adding colour without interrupting its movement.
Be So Lucky takes a more relaxed approach. The guitar sound has a gently wavering character, while the hook lifts the song out of its quieter mood. Blackberry Smoke make the change feel natural, finding a memorable shape inside an unhurried performance.
Like It Was Yesterday is another highlight. The slide playing and guitar solos give it character, but the compact melody keeps the instruments from becoming the only attraction. The band leave enough room for both the song and the players to register.
Azalea offers a more stripped-back contrast. Picked acoustic guitar and Starr's voice carry the performance, with little need for a larger arrangement. Other Side Of The Light brings another lighter passage into the sequence, allowing its melody and guitar details to create an inviting mood.
The soulful side returns on Little Bit Crazy. The Black Bettys' backing vocals add a useful response to Starr, while the distorted solo introduces a rougher texture. The arrangement has energy without giving up its clear song structure.
Be Right Here still operates inside a well-established musical world. It will offer less to anyone looking for a sharp change of direction, and several familiar rock gestures remain easy to recognise. Its strength lies in making those gestures support worthwhile songs.
The tighter writing and varied textures give that approach a convincing result. Blackberry Smoke retain their comfortable band sound while finding enough detail to reward attention. The quieter performances matter as much as the louder ones, giving the album a satisfying balance.
