John Hiatt & The Combo - Americana Festival, The Sage, Gateshead.

John Hiatt (gtr/vcl); Nathan Gehr (bs); Kenneth Blevins (dms); Doug Lancio (mand); Brandon Young (vcl).
(Review by Lance)

Every so often I leave my jazz hat  behind and step into a different genre - most noticeably at The Sage's annual Americana Festival which imports country, rock and blues performers from "across the pond" as well as providing a platform for home grown talent to perform at Gateshead.

The sun shone and Performance Square was rocking to the Honeybop Trio when I arrived.. Hannah was in good voice.

Some wine and nibbles at the press reception then it was Hall One for John Hiatt and The Combo following on from Pete Molinari's solo set (reviewed elsewhere).

This wasn't The Sage, Gateshead, I thought as Hiatt went into A Cadillac with Tennessee Plates,  this is a bar in Downtown Memphis or was it the Hard Rock Café?. There were hints of Chuck Berry, Ry Cooder and many more in this upfront performance by a guy who simply rocked his ass off.

The audience knew their stuff and applauded the announcement of each tune which included You Got A Real Bad Look featuring Lancio on mandolin, Dust Down Country Roads, Cry Love, Drive South, It Feels Like Rain, Slow Journey, Memphis in the Mean Time and Have a Little Faith in Me.

It was a solid performance and a standing ovation at the end was duly, and justifiably, won.

Needless to say we demanded more and got it in the form of the Eric Clapton/BB King classic written by Hiatt - Riding With The King.

A good start to the 3 day extravaganza.

As a footnote - Roz Rigby is amazing in the manner with which she adapts so elegantly and informatively to whatever genre she is called upon to present..

Lance.