Collective @ Hoochie Coochie, February 7 - Second Set.

So now I have to follow Lance the Poet!  I too enjoyed the first set, not least because I’ve finally defined what is meant by ‘funk’, that interesting combination of rock and jazz.  I’d been listening to it for years and just didn’t know it. 

The second set had plenty of funk, and soul, gospel and blues for good measure.  The line-up was the same except that Al Saxon on sax disappeared and Hannah Rickard came on stage to entertain us mightily with strong stylish vocals, on songs such as Take Me To The River and Let The Good Times Roll.  And the good times did roll as the large audience of mainly young people clapped and shouted their approval, with dancing in front of the stage – I counted 12 dancers towards the end of the set.  The instrumentalists showed no signs of flagging, the guitar howled, the drums went the full measure, underpinned by the keys and the cool Katie on bass guitar.  Naturally the fans hollored for more and they got it when Al Saxon returned for a rocking, belting, blues. Just one minor quibble.  I wanted to be able to make out more of the announcements, but I could only do this when Al Saxon spoke in the first half.  I noticed he didn't try to eat the mic and talk at the same time.

A really enjoyable gig.

Ann Alex.
Photo of Hannah Rickard by andy siddens LPRS