18 May 2010 (gig)
25 May 2010
The Smokin’ Jackets are one of the bands who I will always make time to go and see. You never know quite who is going to be there but whether you have just Andy Sharrocks on his own or the full magnificent, ramshackle crew you will never get less than a full-hearted event – and isn’t that why you go to gigs anyway?
This time around we got almost the full family and from the opening notes of ‘Davey’s Blues’ – a very country version that developed into a full band plea for mercy for our poor Gypsy – they were in a real band level groove.
The band featured the usual offenders - The Reverent Paul Green on electric guitar and looking ever more like an elder statesman while Huskie Jack covered off the acoustic lead and lap slide guitars with his usual understated quality. Captain Bliss’ harmonica playing is always a joy whether he is with The Smokin’ Jackets or Hey Negrita! and in his dungarees and baseball cap he had the look of a gas station pump-jockey. John T has the style and impact of a grizzled gunslinger but he plays bass with a steady rhythm and matches Kid Caswell perfectly. On Congas and bongos Kofi Kari Kari makes the music more than just another Americana troupe and altogether they are one of the most characterful crews around.
Andy Sharrocks voice is not the most mellifluous instrument on the planet but his vocals had all his usual charm and sitting centre stage you couldn’t fail to focus on him. All the usual suspects were in the repertoire including a brilliant ‘Don’t You Wanna Waste Some Time’ and rambunctious ‘Velvet Underground Song’.
The Smokin’ Jackets are a family and I can remember many other bands that had that particular groove to them but they are one of those who make the audience part of the family too and not just gawping onlookers. The whole set made me smile and feel at home and I can’t really ask for more.
