02 July 2019 (gig)
03 July 2019
The best gigs have a number of elements – pick from , the artist, the sound, the venue, the crowd, the support, that indefinable ‘something’ – but it really is a very special gig that combines them all.
Last night’s show at the Union Chapel was a very special gig, one of the best I’ve been to this year.
Keb’ Mo’ was superb, His friendly disposition and softly sung vocals had the crowd in his lap from the opening numbers and it is rare, especially in North London, that I have seen such a silent and attentive audience – except from the huge applause and cheering after virtually every number.
He played a few tracks from his new album ‘Oklahoma’ and it was surprising just how well they came over without a band behind him. ‘I Remember You’ and ‘Oklahoma’ in particular were superb while ‘This Is My Home’ had more than a few of the crowd really affected, the simple songs really benefitting from his exceptional guitar playing. He switched between a Gibson Acoustic and a resonator , his aide Ray Ray swapping them over and getting the rhythm going with the crowd when necessary. His chatting to the crowd was natural and he seemed to really be comfortable with the venue and the audience. And yes, he is cool enough to wear the hat on the album cover.
The sound in the Union Chapel can be echoey if the performer tries too hard but here it was adding to his vocals and guitar, creating a bubble of sound that focussed everything to him and his playing.
I saw him last year, playing with Taj Mahal, and this seemed to be his most natural environment.
Support for the night was Martin Harley and his short set was an absolute delight. He was the perfect warm up for Keb’ Mo’, playing some superb Weissenborn lap guitar and a steel bodied resonator with equal skills and charming the crowd with his easy demeanour and beautiful songs.
This was the last of this year’s Future Juke shows and every one I have attended has had a different side of the Blues. Already looking forward to next year’s.