Free At Noon Flashback: Bobby Long brings intimate power to World Cafe Live

 

Bobby Long | Photo by John Vettese for WXPN

Bobby Long is a singer-songwriter who does not forget where he came from, and that was on full display this afternoon at World Cafe Live. Whether it was his many quips about his birthplace in England or the credit he gave to XPN’s Dan Reed for playing his music before anyone else was giving it radio play, Long not only plays roots folk with the skill of a veteran but constantly remembers and acknowledges his own roots.

As with his previous appearance for Free at Noon, Long found himself on stage with just a guitar. This would be a daunting approach for someone less seasoned, but Long handled the intimacy wonderfully. Not only did he perform with a visceral power that could be felt even in the set’s quietest moments, but created an instant rapport with the attentive audience with the easily-accessible banter of a seasoned vet.

The set featured mostly new songs off of his newest record Ode to Thinking which was released back in August via Compass Records, including the titular single and the much more reserved rumination on Long’s childhood “The Songs The Kids Sings.” Long also threw it back with XPN favorite “Who Have You Been Loving” from 2011’s A Winter Tale. 

Long will be back at World Cafe Live on January 14 with fellow singer-songwriter Lily Mae; for more information on that show or to grab tickets you can head to the XPN Concert Calendar. Listen back to the Free at Noon and check out a photo gallery below.

[xpnplayer action=”audio” category=”Free At Noon” artist=”Bobby Long 1.8.16 ” date=”2016″ button=”yes”][/xpnplayer]

Setlist
Cold Hearted Lover of Mine
Ode to Thinking
Treat Me Like a Stranger
The Song the Kids Sing
Who Have You Been Loving
Kill Someone
Something Blue, Something Borrowed
I’m Not Going Out Tonight