PHOTOS: Marcus King Trio and Early James at Circle Drive-In in Dickson City, 09/06/20
The Marcus King Trio delivered a “Sunday night service” at the Circle Drive-In Theatre in Dickson City on Sept. 6, and rows of vehicles were eager to soak up the Southern rock sermon that served as the third stop of their Live at the Drive In Tour, which has several sold-out dates this month.
Backed by his bandmates Jack Ryan (drums) and Stephen Campbell (bass), who also play with him in the full Marcus King Band, the young guitar virtuoso from South Carolina started things off with a cover of Mountain’s “Never in My Life” from 1970, and while the setlist featured songs that ran all the way up through his 2020 debut solo album “El Dorado,” the show never truly left that ’60s-’70s era with a sound you just don’t often hear anymore. King may only be 24 years old, but the old bluesman in him runs deep.
Soulful rock ‘n’ roll and smooth solos blasted from stacks of Marshall and Orange amps for an hour and 40 minutes as they worked in a cover of Blind Faith’s “Had to Cry Today” and bits of songs like Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4,” Ike and Tina Turner’s “Sexy Ida,” and the Motown classic “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” into their jams.
“We’re going to try something a little different for you because we sure do like you up here in Pennsylvania,” King said before his encore of “Delilah” and “The Well.”
The night began with a solo acoustic set by Alabama roots rock singer/songwriter Early James, who channeled old-time country, folk, and Americana music laced with his own dark wit. His debut album, “Singing for My Supper,” was recently released on March 13 and produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and David “Fergie” Ferguson, known for his work with Johnny Cash. James caught their attention for a reason, and Scranton was lucky enough to catch him early in his rise to fame.
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Marcus King performing at the 2016 Briggs Farm Blues Festival in Nescopeck here and and the 2016 XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey here.
Photos by Jason Riedmiller Photography/Scott Kucharski Photography/NEPA Scene
