While I try to stay on top of the newest music that falls under the large umbrella of Americana, I definitely missed something this year. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats blew me away. While the beginning of their set started off with Rateliff’s passionate vocals (and a curious audience), by the end it seemed like everyone was singing along. Did I just witness a wholesale conversion from curious audience members to fans over the course of two or three songs? See the clip from SOB below and you’ll get a sense of where they were by the end.
I did a little digging on Rateliff and found out that before this record he’d been a folk singer with an amazing voice. But his newest self-titled record may seem like a retro exercise at face value. Instead, it hits each of the pieces with such ease and authenticity that I can’t find much of a fault. It’s so singable and darn likable.
Rateliff’s father died when he was only 13 and he soon picked up a guitar to learn after that. He released a few records and his most recent stunner on Stax records lives up to the classic years of Stax. It has horns, boisterous vocals, rocking, rollicking sing alongs. I’m still exploring his material but after a performance like that, I need to hear a lot more and I’ll be following the band. Guess I missed the boat on that one. Hey, better late than never. If the music world has any justice (and it often doesn’t), Rateliff and the Night Sweats will be alongside Alabama Shakes. Rateliff and the crew certainly has an infectious sound and I’ve caught the fever.
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.