LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: John Brown’s Body, Pressure Cooker in Boston, MA (12.14.24)
On Saturday, December 14, John Brown’s Body (also known to many as JBB) performed to a nearly sold-out crowd at the legendary Paradise Rock Club. Formed in the mid 1990’s with roots from Ithica, NY and Boston, they have been a band influential to cultivating “American Reggae”. Since their release of their album “Spirits All Around Us” in 2002, I have been pulled into their sound and live shows. Known for having 2 different singers of very different styles, their killer and very original reggae vibe has been undeniable. Kevin Kinsella compositions leaned towards religious and roots-reggae sounds, while Elliot Martin’s songwriting focused on futuristic and unconventional rhythms, along with dense metaphorical imagery. Back in my college days in Boston, this band was my jam!
Over the years, there has been a few major lineup changes which saw Kinsella leave the band in 2006 and their bassist Scott Palmer passed away from cancer. With Elliot Martin taking the realms, he guided the band’s sound more toward a more soul/hip-hop with some newer funky and dense melodic hooks. JBB had some success on the reggae scene in the period from 2013-1016 with albums “Kings and Queens” and “Fireflies” (both of which achieved top positions on the Billboard reggae charts). Despite a really solid sound at this period, and enjoyed their shows whenever they came to town, I always felt something was missing. It lacked that roots rock higher pitched sound from Kevin Kinsella, who I affectionately referred to as the wild man with the big hat. So when JBB came back from a hiatus they had been on since 2017, with Kinsella back in the lead role, I was pretty stoked! They even added Van Gordon Martin, from Dub Apocalypse (another great reggae-dub band), who’s kept the backup guitar rhythm rock steady. Unfortunately, no more Elliot Martin as he has been sidelined in recent years with tinnitus. Regardless, I needed to bear witness to the 3.0 version to bring back the songs and that most excellent reggae vibe. They just recently reunited earlier this year, with no particular tour, mostly just one off shows. This performance at Paradise is their third show back in Boston (I had caught their first at the Cabot in Beverly back in April).
Opening the night was a pretty electric act by local legends “Pressure Cooker”, warming up the crowd with a solid 8-piece band of brass and a band leader that had a very Cab Calloway feel with oversized suit and ska-like dance moves for days. John Browns Body ended up taking the stage around 9:45pm. Immediately, Kinsella’s presence added a nostalgic touch, rekindling the band’s early spirit and delighting long-time fans.
The setlist showcased a blend of classic tracks and fan favorites. Highlights included one of my personal all-time favorites from them, “Feel”, opening track on their album Spirits All Around Us. “This Is Not The End” from their album Among Them was fun and eclectic, while also playing the crowd-pleaser “Among Them” from the same album. Another memorable track played was “Many Names” from This Day (released in 2000), which features some roots-style high pitched vocal harmonizing for the chorus, presenting the packed crowd with what I consider their oldest signature sound. The band also treated the audience to an encore performance of “Full Control,” which was met with resounding applause by its close.
Throughout the night, the band’s tight instrumentation and Kinsella’s soulful vocals captivated the crowd, reaffirming John Brown’s Body’s status as a powerhouse in the reggae scene. The Paradise Rock Club’s ambiance, combined with the band’s energetic performance, made for an unforgettable evening of music and unity.
Overall, John Brown’s Body’s return to Boston was a triumphant celebration of their enduring legacy and a testament to their ability to bring people together through the power of reggae music. I look forward to any future dates they might add in the next year and highly recommend being in attendance when they do.
Photos: John Brown’s Boday, Pressure Cooker at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA on December 14th:
