(Review by Lance).
Billed as The Gerry Richardson Soul Quartet the jazz was at a minimum - or was it? Of course it wasn't! Irrespective of the tune or the rocky rhythm being laid down, when these guys solo they're playing jazz whether or not the audience know it! Mind you tonight, those borderlines were stretched, particularly during the second set, a set devoted to the music of Booker T and the MGs.
I must confess my knowledge of Booker T was, until tonight, limited to Green Onions which was served up as I departed for the number 3 x 9.
Having confessed my ignorance, I discovered I wasn't ignorant at all, recognising most of the numbers from my misspent youth. It couldn't have been that misspent as I do remember the tunes if not the titles, Time is Tight being an exception.
Interesting was that many of the numbers Gerry chose were originally B-sides - Fuquawi (no wonder he had problems pronouncing that one); Tie Stick and Red Beans and Rice - didn't mess with the groove which, by this time, had the dancers 'tripping the light fantastic' although, perhaps, it was more fantastic than light.
The first set was a more typical Gerry program. Soul Shadows; Mercy Mercy Mercy; Groovin'; Everybody's Cryin' Mercy; Sissy Strut; Hendrix's The Wind Cries Mary and the Gerry perennial - Lady Day & John Coltrane.
The four guys may be local based but I'd back them against the world on a man to man basis.
It was good to see the gig well supported and to hear live music enjoyed by a varying age group.Next month - The Budtones.
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment