“I’m a blues guitarist but not necessarily a blues artist,” Joanne Shaw Taylor confides in the De La Warr audience at one point in the set, explaining her desire not to be boxed in too much by the constraints of genre labels. And that pretty much sums up her whole approach on stage tonight. From the pounding rhythm and blues of show-opener ‘In The Mood’ to the heart-wrenching classic blues of the Albert King cover ‘Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me’, to the polished pop-rock of recent single ‘Wild Love’ to the elongated ‘60s-style freak-out of ‘Watch Em Burn’ to the funky licks of ‘Diamonds In The Dirt’ to the mellow, acoustic beauty of ‘Fade Away’ we get a taste of many things tonight.
At the heart of it all is the incredible talent of Joanne Shaw Taylor, her soulful voice and great song-writing much in evidence, alongside her much-praised guitar wizardry. Discovered and mentored by The Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart at just 16, she has uncanny ability to harness the passion, raw emotion, and sheer exhilaration that great blues guitar-playing can engender and then take that and place it in pretty much any setting.
And the results are spectacular – with a packed-out De La Warr Pavilion showing its appreciation throughout. Shaw Taylor is ably assisted, of course, by a hugely-talented band (Shane Sanders – bass, Joey Spina – second guitar, Eric Savage – drums, and Phil Whitfield – keyboards). Whitfield, in particular is a delight to watch, taking us from lush, exquisite, soulful keys to pounding, energetic honky-tonk piano during the course of tonight’s show.
With an eagerly-anticipated new album coming out in June we get a taste of what’s to come via a couple of songs tonight (‘Sweet ‘Lil Lies’ and ‘Wild Love’) alongside more established favourites from her, by now, extensive back catalogue. Heavy Soul will be Shaw Taylor’s twelfth album since her 2009 debut, White Sugar and tonight’s show is proof as to just how much she’s established herself as blues rock royalty these past fifteen years. An absolute masterclass of a performance.
Heavy Soul is released 7th June 2024. For Joanne Shaw Taylor website visit here
Set-list:
In the Mood
Keep On Lovin’ Me
All My Love
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
Can’t You See What You’re Doing to Me
Dyin’ to Know
Wild Love
Won’t Be Fooled Again
Watch ’em Burn
Diamonds in the Dirt
Fade Away
Runaway
Sweet Lil Lies
Bad Blood
Going Home
Connor Selby – support
A shout-out, also, for the young blues-roots, guitarist singer-songwriter, Connor Selby, the one-man support act for this tour. The polite, well-mannered introductions to his songs belie a vocal delivery of real depth and grit, some nifty blues guitar work and some impassioned song-writing. Definitely one to be added to my ones-to-watch list, he entertained with a highly enjoyable set in his allotted 30-minute slot.
For Connor Selby’s website visit here
Related post:
‘Wild Love’ – sultry new single for Joanne Shaw Taylor ahead of February 2024 UK tour
Sounds like you had a great time, Darren. I’ve heard a bit of Joanne Shaw Taylor’s music before.
Blues is made to be experienced live! I’m very tempted to see one of my all-time favorite blues guitarists, Buddy Guy, one last time. Now 87, he’s currently on his farewell tour. I’ve seen him three times over the past 8 years or so, most recently in April 2022, and he still played with Jimi Hendrix-like energy!
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Ooh that sounds like a must-see. You definitely should!
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