Where to begin? At the beginning. Queen's Hall sold out. They came from far and wide, begging the question: Why? Answer: Lewis Watson. Over the last couple of years or so tenor saxophonist Lewis Watson has returned to live performance. Wherever he appears it's a full house, most recently in Scarborough. This afternoon, Hexham.
Lewis Watson and his bandmates ripped into Yes or No. Wow! Full throttle, pedal-to-the-metal tenor saxophone playing, this was why they came from all points. Breath-taking stuff, so much so, at its end, bandleader Watson joked - half jokingly? - that he needed to catch his breath! Watson originals followed - Times Past with its spectacular coda then straight into Song for Keith (Keith Morris), it was as though he (Watson) was pouring his heart and soul into it (it looked and sounded like it), and No Light, No Tunnel.
Coltrane, Rollins, George Adams and more as Watson unleashed torrents, ideas flowing, the audience revelling in the experience. The Promise (Coltrane), Autumn Song (George Adams), Coltrane's Liberia, heavyweight stuff, all delivered with elan. And what of his bandmates? Wow! It takes top level playing to keep up with Lewis Watson and these guys were at the top of their collective game - they had to be!. Guitarist Mark Williams' unison line with Watson, Williams' blistering, work-of-art solos, Andy Champion's dazzling bass playing and drummer John Bradford, superb from beginning to end.
Lewis Watson is gigging more than he has done in a long time. Next time - April at the Globe in Newcastle - be there and be sure to book in advance because it'll be a sellout weeks before the down beat. Russell
Set list: Yes or No; Times Past; Song for Keith; No Light, No Tunnel; The Promise; Hand in Hand; Autumn Song; Liberia; Prayer to Be.
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