The blues, rock,and R&B flavored gent got his first taste of commercial success in 1995 with “Which Way to Here” which garnered two top-five singles “Favorite Son” and “Pleasin’You”. I had caught his rare touring show at the Continental Club in Houston years ago and I was excited when I heard he was coming to the intimate confines of Crabby Daddy’s in Spring/Woodlands area. Fresh off of rave reviews at this year’s Jazz Fest in Nawlins I was stoked to see him.

What resulted was just a so-so experience for this reviewer. I had remembered AO as more of a blues dude with good lyrics and sound, but what I witnessed this night was full bore POWER trio stuff. With a new record label, Alligator Records, I guess this is the direction he has chosen to fulfill his huge potential.

Looking like a young Santa Claus/Charlie Manson he displayed awesome guitar skills often sliding and picking at the same time. The venue opened their windows which I thought was odd for June in Texas, but after hearing the volume early on I understood why. Way too loud. The shredding of guitar was very badass to a point. AO displayed great singer/songwriter talents which would then lead to extended jams out of nowhere.

To be quite honest the jamming got to be boring. I just could not figure out why he kept to the bombastic assault the entire evening, but it his choice for sure. Dude barely played 90 minutes total with no encore due to his voice being “cooked”. If Osborne is looking to be a “Nawlins Rush” type band, he’s succeeding!

As far as the venue, I also give it just an okay experience. I was asked twice in advance what time I would be arriving and I said table for 2 at 8:30pm. When we arrived we were told we had a table for 8 at 10:30pm?! Not a good start to my virgin visit to this place. Had to sit at the bar. HMR has experienced a very nice year in the Woodlands/Conroe area in 2010 and I’d be open to another gig at Crabby Daddy’s, but it better be a better experience than this one was…See y’all out there somewhere!