SAMANTHA FISH
PLAZA LIVE, ORLANDO
Monday December 30th 2024
When Ms. Samantha Fish takes the stage dressed in her Elvis '72 studded black leather jacket and elephant bellbottoms, a Monroe ‘do, looking finer than Pinky Tuscadro , with the badass swagger of Chrissie Hynde and a white Gibson SG slung over her shoulder, you know you are in for some serious rock ‘n’ blues trouble! Bathed in a deep blue light, that’s just how she appeared, (smothered in a deep blue light) in Orlando last Monday night at The Plaza Live.
Samantha and band were there to kick out the jams, and that’s exactly how she started the show off, with a killer version of the 1969 tune Kick Out The Jams, by the MC5. A band that many considered to be very early Punk. As an aside, and possibly why she chose this number, in 2024 the infamous MC5 lost two founding members, Wayne Kramer, and Dennis Thompson. (May they rest in peace.)
After that rousing gig opener, Samantha and her band then tore into the title track of her 2015 album Wild Heart, while welcoming the crowd that was a mix of 15–65 year old music lovers. Keeping up that high pace, next was a personal fave, Better Be Lonely from 2021’s fantastic Faster disc. Samantha then said to the crowd, "You guys are lively for a Monday night!" adding, "it is Monday, right?!" The band and crowd began playing with her by shouting out different days.
The groove slowed up for a Fish classic Chills and Fever (actually it’s a cover of Ronnie Love’s 1961 Northern Soul hit, that would later be an early British hit for Tom Jones.) It's such a great song, and Samantha really makes old songs her own. My favorite is Hello Stranger, originally a hit for Barbara Lewis in the early 60’s and Later by Yvonne Elliman in the mid 70’s. All three versions are unforgettable.
Next, we heard Poor Black Mattie (a tune written by a man she cites as a major influence, RL Burnside), and then Somebody’s Always Trying (a Ted Taylor cover), Wow. Psychedelic Funk Rock Blues. Throughout the night, she often reminded me of a few other of her heroes like Benmont Tench, Keith Richards or even Angus Young.
Showing off her experimental side, Sam often crouches down for minutes at a time and manipulates her foot pedals with her hands to an amazing effect! She’s quite skilled with her feet as well.
Then, she performs Deathwish Blues, the title track from her recent collaboration with Jesse Dayton that has one of the greatest lyrics ever, “Your kiss is like a death wish baby”. It's a rocking little number that led into Bulletproof, a 2019 track from the album Kill or Be Kind, that starts off with a real Foghat/Jimmy Page lick on her cigar box - slide guitar. Then, she kicks it into high gear with a cut called Miles To Go.
Samantha switched up guitars again, slinging on her silver Gibson SE for another one of her signature tunes, Bitch On The Run. Midway through this great song Samantha slows it down, and she gets a slightly painful look on her face, almost like somebody bumming a drink, but in a sweet way. And she says, “You’re feeling good? All right. I need your help (looking pained), I’m up here working my ass off…(much applause)…and, you know earlier? When I had you guys sing Chills and Fever? Um, not trying to be critical, but um, I just feel you know you can give it a little more moxi Look, I’ll cut the bullshit. You follow me - right now right now I’m feeling it.” (Pause) “Not bad, but I’m gonna make you do it one more time, just for the hell of it for my own ego. You got this Orlando!!” And we did.
There were three songs and 23 minutes left of the show, starting with a moody Dream Girl which featured several great leads and jams, breaking a string or two. Then, a bluesy a 13-minute jam Black Wind Howlin’ (with hints of a Zeppelin sound) where halfway through she made her introductions; fantastic musicians all for sure. They've got to be. To keep up with her as she jams through a string break and a guitar switches! I imagine six white SGs back stage!
Samantha and band took to the stage for one more time with another RL Burnside penned tune Goin’ Down South, where she asked the crowd to stay standing. We were happy to oblige. This song featured more of her killer slide work, and fine finger picking. Then the performers took their bows and said goodnight. Kick out the jams indeed!
Many thank you to Samantha and her team, and The Plaza Live for all their help allowing me to cover this concert!
Here is a link to an interview I did with Samantha Fish a few years back for Public Radio WFIT. I'm hoping for another chat soon!
https://youtu.be/Ouw0F5u3ByM?si=Ey-pKYeeapcpf1k1
