Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival is a new live album and concert film featuring Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, due out on 7th November on earMUSIC, with his latest single from it, a cover of the Robert Johnson classic ‘Crossroads (Live)’ out now.
Described as “raw, unfiltered, and steeped in the spirit of the Delta blues”, the track captures Slash and his Blues Ball band in their element, and you can check out the video for it here at RAMzine.
The coverf honours the song’s roots while giving it an edge, driven by Slash’s signature guitar tone and the band’s soulful groove. Recorded live at the Mission Ballroom, it’s a performance that pays respect to one of the most iconic blues songs ever written, while making it entirely their own.
A full-throttle live album and concert film capturing his 17th July 2024 performance at the Mission Ballroom, Colorado, touring as part of the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, Slash and the formidable ensemble known as Slash’s Blues Ball are said to deliver a gritty, soulful set paying homage to the legends who shaped rock and blues.
Featuring Slash on lead and rhythm guitar, he joined by longtime collaborator Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (Keyboards, harmonica, vocals), Tash Neal (Rhythm guitar, vocals), Johnny Griparic (Bass, backing vocals), and Michael Jerome (Drums).
Together, they tear through a blistering set of blues standards and rock staples, paying tribute to icons like Bukka White, Howlin’ Wolf, Booker T. & the MG’s, Fleetwood Mac, Freddie King, The Temptations, T-Bone Walker, Hoyt Axton, Robert Johnson, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Bob Dylan, and Elmore James.
The set includes smouldering takes on ‘Parchman Farm Blues’, ‘Killing Floor’, ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’, ‘Oh Well’, ‘Big Legged Woman’, and ‘Key To The Highway’, followed by the slow-burn groove of ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’, the smoky soul of ‘Stormy Monday’, and the gritty punch of ‘The Pusher’. Slash also debuts a brand-new original, ‘Metal Chestnut’, before diving into ‘Cross Road Blues’ and a fiery rendition of ‘Stone Free’. The encore features ‘It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry’ and closer with ‘Shake Your Money Maker’.
Intercut with candid, behind-the-scenes interviews, Slash reflects on his deep personal connection to the blues, sharing stories behind the songs and his reverence for the artists who paved the way.
Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival will be available in retail stores and online as 2CD+DVD digipack, 2CD+Blu-ray digipak and heavyweight black 3LP gatefold. Further exclusive formats will be available in the official album store.
The first single release was ‘Oh Well (Live)’ where Slash takes Fleetwood Mac’s classic and transforms it into a searing live experience. Channelling Peter Green’s blues roots while unleashing his own signature firepower, he delivers a performance described “both timeless and fiercely alive “.
Both singles are available here and you can check out the video below.
