 |
| © Russell |
A Blue Patch is Joe Steels' new album. The Joe Steels Group is touring it (the album) and Durham's Gala Theatre was on the itinerary. Greeted by an attentive full house, guitarist Steels, who composed all of the material we would hear across the allotted sixty minutes, fronted a stellar quartet, comprising rising star Ben Lawrence (keyboards), the incomparable Andy Champion (bass) and drummer extraordinaire, John Hirst.
Steels himself says his music has an optimistic streak running through it. It certainly has and it is refreshingly melody-laden. A Blue Patch was in the set list, of course it was. Two contrasting numbers - Between the Stars (a majestic, sprawling sweep of the night sky) and Witching Hour* (a searing, bop-inspired workout) were knockout highlights of the afternoon, in an afternoon of highlights.
The Wandering Herd (Steels confessing he like cows!) closed the programme - lyrical, melodic, accomplished, Joe Steels' signature sound.
Next month, Friday 27 March, sees the return of local hero, bassist Michael Dunlop with his Bede Quartet. Please note, more than three quarters of the tickets for this concert have been sold. To avoid disappointment, book now at: wwwgaladurham.co.uk.
* This weekend there is to be a celestial parade in the night sky. Looking to the western horizon you should be able to see, with the naked eye, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. And with binoculars or a telescope, Uranus and Neptune will come into view. Russell
No comments :
Post a Comment