Topic: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

On a cold, wet miserable night these 3 young bands well and truly warmed up the Jazz Café in London's Camden Town.

Heavy traffic meant it took me over 3 hours to get there so it was very pleasant to see the friendly faces of forum buddies Maggie, Lydia and Tricia the moment I arrived and to find out that I hadn't missed Virgil and the Accelerators as I'd feared. Martin (mbcl) looked very busy but we did exchange a quick “hi” yelled across the room.

If Virgil, Tom and Gabriel were nervous before the gig they didn't show it once they got on stage. Even after Planet Rock's David Jenson had informed the audience while introducing the band that legendary blues producer Mike Vernon and the boss of Ruf Records were in the audience. So no pressure there then.

Virgil and bass player Tom share the vocals to great effect and a tight young band they are too. Raw (in a good way) and powerful. You just know they are going to get more and more well known. They made quite a few new fans last night (including me) and they deserved to. And yes Martin, I DID buy the EP – I'm enjoying it while I'm typing this. And I met another forum buddy, Mansfield – hi Rob - by pure chance on the way back from the merchandise stall.

Joanne Shaw Taylor had flown back from the states only that morning but she was raring to go. Unfortunately her equipment was not. David Jenson had to fill for a bit while Virgil and our very own super-hero Martin tried to fix the leads. Except it wasn't the wiring that was the problem it was Joanne's guitar. So Virgil, being a gentleman, lent her his and she finally started her set. She was explosive. I swear she has ratcheted it up a notch since I saw her at Leamington (what did you guys do to her over the other side of the pond eh?). Her singing and her guitar playing were as full of passion and energy as ever.

Luckily, Oli Brown did not suffer any technical glitches. He doesn't seem to suffer from lack of confidence either. He really is an accomplished performer which is even more remarkable when you consider his age. Just as at Leamington, Oli played the crowd to great effect and his good humour shines through all the time he is on stage. We were treated to a number of songs from the upcoming album which bodes well as they were red hot. Oli was brought back by the crowd for a couple of encores. The final number was a cover of Black Betty in which Oli left the stage, serenaded the diners on the upstairs gallery and then re-appeared at crowd level in front of the stage. I think Tricia got a real close up on her phone.

Then it was back into the cold wet night singing “whoa, black Betty, bam-a-lam” in my head (at least I hope it was in my head and not out loud) on the Tube ride back to where I parked my car.

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Excellent review David, makes me wish I had been there!! smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Nice review David - I really wanted to be there too but it just didn't work out for me.
I'd picked up from elsewhere that Joanne's guitar had been damaged on the flight home, but at least it doesnt sound as big a mess as JB's Musicman.

I'm really looking forward to seeing these three bands on the road together next year, Should be something special.

Ian

Please be in no doubt that this is the REAL ME! Beware imposters........................

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Hi David,
so sorry for not coming over to you, as you can imagine we had a lot going on. The boys were incredibly nervous but everyone there made them feel very welcome which helped. They really enjoyed the night. Great crowd and it was packed, took a few mins to get outside for a much need cigarette!! It was a brave set, the first song was only penned 2 days before the show, it wasn't perfect but worked well enough for a good round of applause. I just wanted another original out there.
The Lonnie Mack song at the end I was very pleased with. We decided on that the day before as we were all in the car on the way to rehearsal, it came on the radio and we were all singing along. Having Virge and Tom do alternate verses worked well.
I could ask them to do more than they did and it well received by all. Overwhelming experience for a band that has only been together for around 10 months, just imagine what is come.......
Big thanks to Oli and Joanne plus there posses, they were a huge help on the night keeping the boys focused and calm. We are chomping at the bit to get this tour started. So much so we have a tour bus arriving next week!

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Thanks for the review David - you really say it all - fantastic show.  What a tour this will be big_smile
We will be there in May cheering from the front.
Maggie

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Great review David, thanks for sharing! It's got me in the mood for my Scottish double header in May! smile

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Thanks for the review David,

I so wanted to be there but it was just not possible. Glad it all went off ok....eventually.

I'm hoping that there will be some video. I've seen some pics taken by Roger which are very good.

Looking forward to catching them all on the tour next year.

Tripsy smile

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Yes thank you for your excellent review David -  another great night to remember.

First time I had seen Virgil and the Accelerators I'm hooked - got the CD now all I need is the T-shirt and DVD!

Roll on next year - Oli's new album and the tour almost worth wishing your life away for!!

Lydia

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Brilliant review, David!! Thank you!

Glad you all had such a marvelous time and naturally, I wish that we could have been there too. David, Maggie and Lydia - I owe you mail, humble apologies.....

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Why David, you certainly do know how to wax poetic!! Bravo!! You are such a mild mannered man, and yet a raging music fan. Very Clark Kent!!! Thanks for the review, and I'm really sorry I couldn't share the experience! I'm sure there was a curry house somewhere. Party on friends.....and we need this line-up in the States. I'll take care of them in my area. Auntie Cate

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

I´m really getting interested in Virgil and the Accelerators after listening to their CD and now reading your review, David.
Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith

12 (edited by Roger62 2009-12-18 18:46:29)

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Great evening at The Cafe , managed to have a chat with Martin and Oli Brown when I got into the venue. Managed a lil chat with Jo before she went onstage as well.

http://s458.photobucket.com/albums/qq31 … er%202009/

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

What an amazing gig, I truly felt honored to be in the presence of such talent.

This was the first time I've seen Virgil and Joanne and was simply blown away.
Both definitely on my playlist now, for sure.

Oli was incredible, as always. What more can I say!

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Apparently it was announced at the show that Oli's new album will be produced by legendary British blues producer Mike Vernon! He produced early John Mayall and Eric Clapton, such as the Beano album, and also Peter Green's Flettwood Mac.

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Yes its true, Mike was there, very nice chap. A legend!!

Greenose wrote:

Apparently it was announced at the show that Oli's new album will be produced by legendary British blues producer Mike Vernon! He produced early John Mayall and Eric Clapton, such as the Beano album, and also Peter Green's Flettwood Mac.

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

I'm hoping to catch the New Generation Blues tour when they come around my way next year, looks like I just missed out this year lol.

From what I gather I'll be in for a good night, so am gonna try me best to get to the Milton Keynes gig cool

Jono smile

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Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Anybody planning on seeing the Newcastle show at the Cluny - 5th May?

Re: Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Virgil & the Accelerators – Jazz Café

Wombat wrote:

Anybody planning on seeing the Newcastle show at the Cluny - 5th May?

Ray, I think you better check the tour dates, some of the early ones have been rescheduled, including the Newcastle date.

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk