Michelle Shiers on April 11th, 2015

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One might assume that a bad throat ailment would be enough to weaken the performance of any singer, but such was not the case with Benjamin Booker on Thursday night at The Roxy. The New Orleans-based singer/guitarist powered through his set opening with “Always Waiting” and “Chippewa” backed by drummer Max Norton and bassist/violinist Alex Spoto.

• ||| Photos by Michelle Shiers

Booker’s voice retained its signature gravelly tone as he pressed his mouth tightly to the microphone. Vocally, he reminds of a breathier Howlin’ Wolf and Blind Willie Johnson, but musically, Booker’s tunes weave together blues, Americana, garage and punk.

Most of his set was pulled from his 2014 self-titled full-length which featured some grungy noise rock mixed with Bookers soulful rasp along with occasional violin and solid drums. “Falling Down Blues” featured Norton on the electric mandolin, Spoto on the violin, and Bookers emotive mumbles well beyond his 26 years. He occasionally hovered at his amp messing with the feedback and wiping sweat from his brow. While the songs were tight and the guitar riffs rough, it was evident that Booker’s tonsilitis was starting to take over as he rubbed both hands over his face and reminding the crowd, “The show must go on.”

Toward the end of the set, they performed “Little Liza Jane” — a song from the early 1900s — in the style of Nina Simone. There was also Booker’s fervently loose cover of Otis Redding’s “Shout Bamalama” and while most people weren’t singing along, they were still in awe of his gruff howls and closed-eyed guitar-slinging. Booker ended his set with “By The Evening,” and although everyone wanted a little more, nobody was surprised that Booker didn’t return for an encore.

Benjamin Booker was supported by L.A.’s Small Wigs and Leeds, England’s Eagulls.

||| Live: Benjamin Booker plays today 3:40 p.m. at Coachella.