The Raconteurs Entertainment Art The Greek Theater Los Angeles, CA September 22, 2008

In “Back to the Future Part III,” Marty McFly and Doc Brown go to the Wild West grand opening of Hill Valley’s clock tower and ZZ Top performs. If you don’t mind continuing on that train of thought, if BTTF Part III was made today they would have to let the Raconteurs play that party because watching them play live makes you feel like Bufford “Mad Dog” Tannen might get in a fight with you or Shamus McFly if not careful. Other bands might publicize or brand themselves as bandits or cowboys but The Raconteurs are the real thing. Just like the sheriff’s badge on Brendan Benson’s guitar strap, The Raconteurs are the law and order of rock and roll and Jack White is becoming the powerful hand ruling the world of music.

During a somewhat quick set at the Greek, Jack and the boys played amplified versions of “Level,” “Hands,” “Salute Your Solution” and other cuts from both of their albums and even a new track called “Keep It Clean” that is now a personal favorite of mine. Watching the Raconteurs truly allows you to focus not only on Jack’s pure talent and unbelievable creativity but also on the chemistry amongst all of the band mates. They play alongside each other as great individual musicians and by listening to one another, they look like they are not only building off of the other, but also eagerly awaiting the rhythm and blues that they’ve yet to hear.

Jack White is the closest thing we have to a guitar god ala Jimmy Page in this day and age and I can watch/listen in all of his incarnations. I appreciate The Raconteurs differently than the White Stripes or his work with Loretta Lynn or even the new James Bond theme song to “Quantum of Solace.” He’s an amazing showman and completely captivates an audience. His every move is guided by the audience’s gaze while the concert lighting overpowers his white skin and black hair. Jack is one-of-a-kind and The Raconteurs compliment him well both on stage and in the studio.

The last Raconteurs’ release date was announced just days before the record was available for purchase. It was a surprise to fans, corporate music suits and to critics. I would love another one of those surprises from the creative whimsy of Jack, Brendan and company. Hopefully they’re feeling creative and have been writing while touring this summer. If not a Raconteurs record, I’ll take anything Jack White can come up with because it will be inventive, energetic and quintessentially him. If this group of bandits comes to your town, jump into your DeLorean and go check them out. You’ll regret missing it if they choose to disband and ride away in the sunset forever.

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