When we caught Sturgill Simpson headlining Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last November, one thing was immediately clear: Simpson is a man dedicated to groove. The Grammy nominee for this year’s Album of the Year proved that yet again on Saturday Night Live last night, when he took to the stage for “Call To Arms” and “Keep It Between The Lines.” Simpson is a frontman in that it’s his name on the albums, but that’s as far as the term goes. Onstage, he’s a member of a group, with he and his band – including an incredible horn section – building musical movements rather than showcasing solos between choruses. Whether or not you’re a country fan is beside the point – Simpson is one hell of a musician with undeniable knack for groove.
“Call to Arms”:
“Keep It Between The Lines”:
Both songs appear on Simpson’s recent album A Sailor’s Guide To Earth.