Joanne Shaw Taylor European Tour Oct/Nov (Page 2 of 2)

Don't worry Martin, that's wasn't meant as a criticism! Will catch up with her sometime next year.

Scotland ?? Don't know how lucky you are! You wanna live here mate !! Sometimes I wonder if all communication has been cut off !!

WHEN IS SHE FINALLY PLAYING HOLLAND??????????????????

Boom Boom Club tonight with JST and a few Bonabuds i think fresh from our night out with Messrs Bonfanti & Sayce. Really looking forward to this.

Saw Joanne on Thursday night but I’ve been a little busy since – I do want to beat the London Buddies to their reviews of last night’s gig though – so here goes!

It’s not very often I find myself searching for the elusive last space on the car park behind the Robin 2 club at Bilston, but such is the draw of Joanne Shaw Taylor’s brand of Blues in these parts that I thought I was going to have to park elsewhere.
Yes – we arrived well before the support act too – that was young Ben Poole, formerly of Dani Wilde’s band. Ben is yet another addition to the growing list of quality young blues acts in the UK and treated us to a fine set of originals and covers. I particularly enjoyed his unusual take on “Purple Haze” and the Temptations song “(I Know) I’m Losing You”. I’d seen Ben as a support act once before this year and he is already growing in confidence and fully deserves to be out there fronting his own band. Unfortunately his set over ran and as the Robin have a strict Music curfew at 11pm, this led to Joanne having to shorten her set 

So the brothers McMahon took to the stage and assumed their positions behind drums and bass to be followed by a huge cheer as Joanne appeared and tore into the opening instrumental on the new (old) Telecaster. A huge cheer from the crowd was interrupted by the opening notes of “Going Home” next which really got the assembled heads nodding and feet tapping. Straight into a song off the new album next, with “Let it Burn”, before the title track of  her debut album “White Sugar” – with a little added SRV.  “Time has Come” followed, then back to the new album for (I think) “Dead and Gone”.  Joanne then played tribute to one of her big influences with a stunning version of “Manic Depression”, which she followed with “Watch ‘em Burn”. Time to slow things down next and well, just bring the house down why not, with the showstopping slow blues “Blackest Day” Fantastic! Next up was one of my personal favourites from the debut album, “Kiss the Ground Goodbye”. It always amazes me just watching Joanne’s playing on this number – such complex rhythm patterns going on that I just don’t know how she can deliver the vocals over the top. Just reminds me why I think Joanne is one of the best pickers out there right now. The Hoax got their nod from Joanne next with her storming version of “Bones” before she brought the set to a close with “Going Down”
Running close to curfew time, but the crowd wanted more, and what a great choice for an encore – “Lord Have Mercy” from “Diamonds in the Dirt”. A powerful end to a great performance, that left the large audience wanting more, but sadly it was not to be.
Not too many songs from the new album showcased, but I heard that “Jump That Train” was to have been included, and who knows what else we might have heard had the band not had to shorten the set.

A word or two for Virgil and Gabriel, who provided solid backing for Joanne throughout. A little strange to see Virgil stage right and being the restrained bass player, but the boy done good! He told me he’s itching to get back to his Strat at the end of the tour though. Gabriel is growing in power and confidence on the drums – I don’t think I’ve ever seen him working harder before, and he treated us to a fine solo too. Thanks to Joanne and the guys for a superb gig, and as always giving up your time to chat to us fans.

Ian

Thanks Roger - here's a few of mine from the Robin. Just click "Slideshow"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42034502@N … 322314289/

Ian

Just seen Jo on Wednesday - Sheffield

Simply awesome  -  well worth seeing

The new CD is great as well

We were there too, but I have to admit to being a little disappointed.
Not with the playing, JST and Virgil were great, but with the sound.
It may have been where we were stood (front left) but it was waaay too loud.
Also the mix was really off. We were sometimes struggling to pick out JSTs guitar, except in the quieter bits.
On reflection we should probably have moved around a bit, but I did go and stand near the bar for a few minutes which didn't really help.
I like my music loud (and I'm no old fart) but it should have been rolled back a little. My ears were ringing until Friday morning.
Still, from what I could make out they are a talented bunch and I'll be looking out for Virgil and his band when they return to the area.