Barry's Views

Review:

Blues at the Runner is now, it appears, no more than a fond memory and I saw some memorable gigs there in the last few weeks: the excellent Hucklebuck with Sam and Giles trading solos, the enjoyable and worthwhile Headway benefit gig with the Colin Staples Band and guests, a storming (if occasionally over-loud) set from Sean Webster and superior Chicago Blues from harp-player John O'Leary with his ever-inventive guitar sidekick Jools Fothergill. I was sorry to miss Little Jenny and the Blue Beans, though - heard they were great again.

The Britannia Boat Club gigs have been well-attended so far and the ambience, with its striking cave-like interior, seems just right for da blues - though a few parking suggestions on the website would be useful. I thought Joanne Shaw Taylor was excellent, very solid Texas-style playing and the band were right behind her with the keyboard player really adding to the sound both vocally and instrumentally.

Which brings me to the superb Matt Schofield Trio. Like all really good bands they really listen to one another, with an empathy bordering on telepathy. Their tight melodic playing is the platform for wickedly exciting excursions into freewheeling and sometimes almost freeform improvisations that manage to fly without ever getting out of hand. Each player brings so many influences, with guitarist Matt blending Hendrix and Albert Collins with Robben Ford and keyboardist Jonny Henderson (excellent last week with Ian Siegal, I hear) pulling in Jimmy McGriff and Mike Ratledge among others. And that left hand of his providing endlessly subtle basslines is spot-on for me, though some people will always miss the whomp of a bass guitar. Evan Jenkins has the jazz percussionist's skill and sensibility to pull it all together and the result is music of great beauty and grandeur. Fun, too - the dancers will vouch for that, I'm sure. A delight.


Dave Kingsbury