Chris Bevington & Friends - The Robin 4th March 2014
Chris Bevington & Friends
The Robin
4th March 2014
Setlist: Dark Side of Love / She’s Out There Somewhere / All I Want Is You / Heart of Blues / Blue on Black / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Let Me Know / Crossroads / Was / Somehow, Somewhere / Party Right Here
Funnily enough, until recently, I didn't actually know Chris, in spite of us both knowing many of the same members of the Stoke Musicians Mafia, and him being the bass player in Cry Baby and The Hoochie Coochie Boys (of whom I had taken photos at the Jazz and Blues Festival!)
It was Vince Cutcliffe, Cry Baby guitarist, and organiser of the Jazz and Blues and Unplugged festivals, who gave me a copy of the CD, Chris Bevington & Friends, a few weeks back. He asked me to have a listen and see what I thought. I did and it blew me away. I have, since, featured it heavily on my BearTown Radio shows. It is a fine recording, featuring some stellar performances from local musicians. I cannot rate it highly enough for any serious fan of The Blues.
When Vince asked me if I fancied going along to see them do it live, as part of a show with headline act Chantel McGregor, I jumped at the chance - I don't get out much, these days. The band had just taken to the stage as we rolled up at one of my old haunts, the fabulous Robin 2 in Bilston, Wolverhampton; I hurried to the front to get a good spot as they powered through She's Out There Somewhere.
The Robin
4th March 2014
Setlist: Dark Side of Love / She’s Out There Somewhere / All I Want Is You / Heart of Blues / Blue on Black / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Let Me Know / Crossroads / Was / Somehow, Somewhere / Party Right Here
Funnily enough, until recently, I didn't actually know Chris, in spite of us both knowing many of the same members of the Stoke Musicians Mafia, and him being the bass player in Cry Baby and The Hoochie Coochie Boys (of whom I had taken photos at the Jazz and Blues Festival!)
It was Vince Cutcliffe, Cry Baby guitarist, and organiser of the Jazz and Blues and Unplugged festivals, who gave me a copy of the CD, Chris Bevington & Friends, a few weeks back. He asked me to have a listen and see what I thought. I did and it blew me away. I have, since, featured it heavily on my BearTown Radio shows. It is a fine recording, featuring some stellar performances from local musicians. I cannot rate it highly enough for any serious fan of The Blues.
When Vince asked me if I fancied going along to see them do it live, as part of a show with headline act Chantel McGregor, I jumped at the chance - I don't get out much, these days. The band had just taken to the stage as we rolled up at one of my old haunts, the fabulous Robin 2 in Bilston, Wolverhampton; I hurried to the front to get a good spot as they powered through She's Out There Somewhere.
Although, you wouldn't have known without being told, this was their first time together as a full live band and, even I was impressed by how good they were. I don't often say things like that. The ten-piece live band comprises many well-known and respected musicians. It's a pretty impressive line-up, with some serious pedigree and solid experience. I don't know how much they had rehearsed before this gig but they were very tight, looking and sounding as though they had been together for years.
Naturally, with a guitar-based blues band, the guitar and vocals is what you focus on so, let's start there. Firstly, Jim Kirkpatrick, I already know. I have seen him play solo, and with his trio Heavy Weather, and he is a wonderfully talented musician with a natural feel for The Blues. I love his playing and I'm convinced that there's more than a little of Rory Gallagher's spirit in him. Scott Ralph, I didn't know before hearing the CD but, my oh my, what a revelation he was! He is a seriously good guitarist and, with Jim, they supply, not only, a very imposing dual guitar attack with some beautiful slide playing but, also, two extremely good singers. Chris Bevington is very much 'the man at the back', looking cool, calm, and collected and, along with Andy Carr, the drummer, they supply a solid back beat, allowing the front-men to do their thing. George Glover, on keyboards, Adrian Gibson on Sax, Rob Wilkinson on Harp & Vocals, Jamie Bannister on Sax, and Kate Robertson and Sarah Miller on Backing vocals, provide some nice highlights to the overall sound and give it a depth that is very impressive.
The setlist featured tracks from the band's CD and there was something there for all tastes. To single out individual tracks will always be a subjective experience and is a matter of personal preference but, if I am forced, I will cite 'Was', as my personal favourite, a fact I think they probably realised when they played it! In my opinion, their rendition is far superior to that of Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Talking to other people, they chose Heart of Blues, Blue on Black, Dark Side of Love, and so on, as their favourites. Ask eleven different people which is their favourite, you will probably get the eleven tracks on the CD right back at you. All I know is that, on my radio shows, I have played (and will continue to play) all of the songs from the CD. It is that damn good.
All in all, an exceptionally good support slot from Chris Bevington and Friends and, I am told that, on the strength of it, they have been offered a headline slot at The Robin, in the not too distant future.
Outstanding!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
12th March 2014
All in all, an exceptionally good support slot from Chris Bevington and Friends and, I am told that, on the strength of it, they have been offered a headline slot at The Robin, in the not too distant future.
Outstanding!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
12th March 2014
