Claudia Edward @ Burton Agnes Jazz & Blues Festival July 1/2.

(Review [unexpurgated] by Annie O'Donnell)

The lawn is littered with seated, dancing. walking people, acrobatic children in a girl dance band rivalling Diversity...playing bat and ball in the gentle breeze in July summer sun.

Captivating Claudia Edward And Her Prize Catch Of Gem Studded Licks , Flicks, Plucks & Flying Sticks Tightly Pulled Together In A Band Of Jumping Jiving Jamming Soul Diving Music , & Vocals... Revving Up The Audience As If It Were In The London Arena, Albert Hall.

She is a rising star straight out of St Lucia. Her original songs sound like hits straight out of the oven.

Her rendition of BB King, THE THRILL IS GONE, her deep bass growl of a voice holds you in its warmth. She has a GOOSEBUMPS sing the Blues voice and Louis Armstrong appeared in my mind's eye and ears as if her deep voice was his, Shirley Bassey appeared as well. She has her own voice and is true to herself, she has the same blessing of the GENERALS aforementioned. 

Excellent diction, engages with audience,

She shines with the sun who is here to listen to and shine on her as she sings with passion and her smiling face and soul. 

I walk right up to the front of the stage

Make connection, get on the page

She finishes with  a beautiful original

There's Something About You

Randy Henry, Drummer, played real tight snare sound with kettle drum. Jumping smiley beans style

At 8pm Claudia and Band play in The Tent. It is packed with an audience that doesn't need to be asked to participate as she belts out DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT A THING''.

She says the next song is hers, but Toffee her dynamic lead guitarist wants to sing it and his mesmerising unique blues soul voice grabs me as he sings,' HERE I AM, COME TAKE ME,'.. & BOY GEORGE COMES TO MIND...I close my eyes and I know why as his voice washes over me...

Simon Cunliffe- Lister joins the band with the song BROWN SKIN.. with his screaming sax solo fusing with Randy Jumping up and down with his sticks tapping anywhere in on around him....KC Aurelian merging bass with drum so we have nightclub sound...then

 Toffee melts his reggae blues funk energy soul to sing through his guitar.

HE MEANS BUSINESS COZ HE IS THE BUSINESS

SUNDAY IN THE GREAT HALL....MORE OF CLAUDIA AND THE BOYS

The Hall is Packed as I enter..

I see an empty seat on front row

and I boldly walk to it with my A4 pad & pen in hand...

Theo 'Toffee' Joseph, Lead Guitarist 

takes you to Heaven as you feel with his Groove

He means Business

Because He is the Business.

as I said before and I wrote it again.

He's so good I said it twice

Randy Henry, Drums is a Flying Drummer emitting

the Spirit  of The Ancient Drum Beat of Life.

The Drum isn't alive without the Hit ...

Randy is THE HIT MAN.. He is THE STICK

This is WHY HE MOVES CONSTANTLY

YOU CAN'T CONTAIN HIM.

He is an artist..He is the wind 

HE IS JAZZ 

CONSTANTLY CHASING

FEELING ANTICIPATING

MAKING THE BEAT

and he always stands up

at the end of every tune

BENTON JULES: KEYBOARD / PIANO

Benton never misses an emotion

he feels it all the way through

a quiet powerful smooth engine

in this high sound energy band

but when you listen for his steady driving the keys

he leads like a Rolls Royce 

not flinching, he knows exactly what he's doing

his playing is the fire down below 

keeping everything warm and fiery

for the front of the show 

Randy is like a Kangaroo jumping around hitting anything he can with his rhythm sticks. hit me, hit me with your rhythm stick, the universe sings to him and his response is raring to go...and Muhammad Ali comes to mind. buzzing. As he danced around in the ring, his fists were his drumsticks. As Randy walks around in his Acapella style excitable like a fluttering butterfly & bee.

Claudia invites her new best friend Niamh, BAREFOOT on stage, she is a young teenage girl here with her family and pals. Together they sing ADDICTED TO LOVE, Niamh focusing on the Chorus and doing an excellent job. Randy stands up to play and he is so tall, about 6'7” and his head bounces off the tent roof. Never mind Walking Bass Line,

KC Aurelian Bass

who stands still and ROCKS UNDERPINNING  real solid foundations.

he is so cool...doesn't move but his bass HAS THE GROOVE , 

His ear is so connected to the others

his bass notes move around the chords

making magic...he is a quiet man who lets his bass speak for itself

This Band was a HIT in the Festival...I could have listened to them all day....what else can I say...ENCORE ENCORE ENCORE

Annie O' Donnell  4th July 2017