(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair to follow).
So we'd heard most, if not all of the numbers before, who cares? does it matter? Truth is that, after they've played the head, it's like hearing them for the first time as all four come out with guns a-blazing.
Gerry, a.k.a Brother Jimmy "Groove" McSmith, has certainly got his Crumar Mojo working delivering forearm smashes like a latter day Jackie Pallo. Close your eyes and you'd swear this was the Steinway of jazz organs - the Hammond B3. Is there a better soul stylist in the UK than our man? Maybe, but I've yet to hear him. Gerry also sings.
Garry Linsley is cooler than an Icelandic cucumber - offstage - but when he starts blowing the blues he morphs into Eddie "Cleanhead" Vincent or Louis Jordan with a touch of Charlie Parker thrown in for good measure. Next time you draw up a list of big hitters don't forget that it's Garry not Gary.
Rod Sinclair - a terrorist with a Telecaster - surely strikes fear into the hearts of any up and coming Claptons. Last night he may have given the great man himself a few palpitations.
Paul Smith, as ever, punching way above his weight, pushing the other three towards the brink and himself exploding on African Sunset - a song not a drink although I'm sure the Hoochie bar staff would hustle one up if requested.A great night, the only surprise being that the dance floor wasn't crowded - it was the kind of rhythm that was aimed at both your feet and your soul.
Lance
Photos.
Alligator Boogaloo; Everybody's Crying Mercy, Times Are Getting Tougher; Mercy Mercy Me; Soul Shadows; Walking the Dog; African Sunset; Memphis Underground; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; Think I'll Lay Waste to Myself Tonight; I Put a Spell on You; Back in the Chicken Shack; The Stumble.
PS: Gerry's motto seems to be "When in doubt play a tune with Mercy in the title!"
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