If you were ever in doubt about the true components of Deep fried Southern Swamp music, then may i courteously suggest a trip to the next Billy C Farlow gig. This man is only bettered in terms of typical Southern culture by some of the exquisite recipes to be found on his web site. The former Commander Cody & The Lost Planet Airmen, vocalist/harp player, and Zane recording artist is one of a rare breed. For Billy is a superb front man, great harp player, and above all a performer who loves every minute he is on stage. So it was at the Torrington that a hardy bunch of regulars were transformed into a pack of wailing (dancing) banshees, by a man who’s on stage passion and energy is simply infectious.
Joined by a rock solid rhythm section comprising the redoubtable Marion Dalton on bass and crisp Italian drummer Nick Marangoni, the band is nicely rounded off by the hugely improved guitar playing of Lewis Fielding. And so to Billy C. This man put in a barnstorming show. He impressed all night with his tough but deep toned harmonica style, and his gritty vocals and vivacious stomping around the stage, made sure that every single person in the room became part of the "Billy C experience". And while we are not talking religion here, it is his raucous mix of country tinged rockabilly swing, r&b and deep southern blues, that provides the perfect filling for an broadly drawn r&b canvas.
Billy's deep blues on "Lonely Man", and compelling harp wail on "Shake It Down, was matched by the swampy feel of the hugely impressive "Southern Moon".
The rockabilly/swing quotient was saved for a brace of Billy
C classics. The celebratory "Tennessee Saturday Night" was given a
superior outing at the Barnes show, while the Cody favourite "Too Much
Fun", came early in the set at the Torrington, and kick started dancing
at the front of the room. By the time of "Big City Women", Billy was
adding humorous lyrics to some great playing, and on both gigs, its fair to
say that every single paying customer left feeling that warm glow that only
an enervating show such as this can deliver. Unlike his musical signature Billy
C Farlow shows no sign whatsoever of having had "Too Much Fun".
Pete Feenstra - Soundcheck Magazine