Enjoyment is guaranteed at any gig
organised by John and Lorraine Welsh but there are some shows that
exceed all expectations and enter the category of unforgettable. This
performance of John O’Leary’s Sugarkane was a prime example of
that rare phenomenon.
The whole band exudes quality: from the
two guitarists, Jules Fothergill and Steve Wright, keyboard player,
Jools Grudgings, the rhythm section of drummer Joachim Greve and bass
guitarist Jim Reece and the maestro himself, John O’Leary, on
vocals and harmonica.
The extravaganza was unleashed with a
lively instrumental before John O’Leary entered the fray on a
harp-led, slightly Latin-flavoured Elmore James number. Junior
Wells’s “Snatch It Back And Hold It” then got the full
treatment with a lovely keyboard solo from Jools Grudgings and a
splendid bass line from Jim Reece. A terrific version of the
traditional favourite, “Early In The Morning” featured a fabulous
guitar solo from Jules Fothergill and an equally impressive delivery
of “Little By Little” bounced along to close the first set
with Fothergill, Grudgings and Steve Wright all contributing
brilliantly to the mix.
To open the second set, Steve Wright
assumed lead vocals on Robben Ford’s “Help The Poor”, adding a
superb guitar solo and engaging in an effective guitar-based
interplay with Jules Fothergill. John O’Leary then returned to the
stage to play some tasty harp on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been
Talkin’”, which also provided another fine keyboard solo and a
gem from Jules Fothergill that drifted seamlessly in and out of
“Summertime”.
Just as they were thinking that it
couldn’t get any better than this, the audience were treated to an
unscheduled delight when the wonderful Connie Lush was invited on
stage to raise the bar even higher. She obliged with a terrific
rendition of “Love Me Like A Man”, provoking a rapturous response
from the thoroughly appreciative audience.
A funky airing of “I Don’t Need No
Doctor” then led to the highlight of the evening, an incredible
version of “Black Cat Bone”, which featured a superlative cameo
from the rhythm section, combining an exceptional bass guitar solo
from Jim Reece and a phenomenal drum solo from Joachim Greve that
went into overdrive and brought the house down.
The loudly demanded encore eased
between “Look On Yonders Wall” and “Help Me”, with Connie
Lush joining in, and was greeted with a standing ovation that was
rewarded with a suitably vibrant coda in the form of “Let It
Shine”, with Jules Fothergill on lead vocals, to end a truly
memorable night.
LIONEL ROSS