Hubert Sumlin @ The New Roscoe Leeds 23rd June 2002

Hubert Sumlin should need no introduction to the readers of BM and I'm sure you will agree. After twenty four years as the guitarist with Howlin' Wolf and a couple of years with the equally famous Muddy Waters , Hubert is as authentic as they come.

I had met Hubert at his hotel earlier in the day and by the time I had settled myself down by the side of the stage, I felt I had come to see an old friend perform. Hubert is a warm friendly man with a talent for inventing seminal riffs in the Blues musical style. Hubert's “All-Star” backing band came to the stage without the great man himself but opened with a 12 bar shuffle in A, Hubert's Groove . Musical director Dave Maxwell on Yamaha T 150, soloing over the rhythm section of Mudcat Ward on double bass and the frenetic Pers Hansen on percussion. They certainly are “Stars” too! Dave Maxwell in his deep American accent coolly thanked the audience for their applause, then told the guys to “Go down in the alley….go right down in the alley guys!” to play After Hours. This great blues was sure enough “down in the alley” and showcased the musical ability of the band, particularly Dave Maxwell who was playing two riffs at once. One at the bass end of the keys and another at the treble end! Wow!

As the band finished the outro, they continued the groove to welcome Hubert Sumlin to the stage. As Hubert stylishly entered with grace and energy which belies his septuagenarian status, he picked up his Paul Reed Smith Goldtop guitar, to play Healing Feeling . The response from the Leeds audience was tremendous.The next song started with a clever 12 bar riff from the riffmeister himself! Hubert's cool vocals matched his cool appearance in a smart dark blue suit and white brimmed hat. This is as cool as you can go. The guitar's stacatto clipped notes sounded superb through Hubert's Fender Twin amplifier.

It soon became apparent by the reaction of the audience that Hubert's music was very popular indeed. I was thrilled as the audience sang the chorus and verse to the song Stayin' On Top of the World . I wondered if the audience had come to love this song because of the original version or by covers by bands such as Cream and bands of the late sixties and early seventies. It was a wonderful moment, that night at the New Roscoe.

I've always liked Shoe On The Other Foot but I had only heard it by the late lamented Albert Collins. Hubert and the All Star Band's version was just as good and Hubert's staccato style and the typically excellent tone of the Fender Twin amp shone through. Hubert's voice is also very pleasant indeed and cool with it!Following on with a song I was unfamiliar with allowed Dave Maxwell to play a great piano underlay whilst Hubert sang in a relaxed manner and played his PRS with what seemed like a soft attack on the strings and with fast and fluent fretting fingers. Hubert uses no plectrum at all yet still produces some amazing licks.

As Mudcat Ward changed from double bass to low-slung Fender bass, Hubert and the band swung into Hideaway, the classic instrumental. I really enjoyed watching and listening to this brilliant band knock out this revered relic from a bygone era! As the song progressed a member of the audience came to the front blowin' on a harp! Although he was not invited to the stage, it was another nice moment in the evening's marvellous proceedings! The band then took a deserved break in the interval after a rousing first set.Returning to the Stage, Dave Maxwell struck up a Boogie Woogie Stomp , a kind of Otis Spann/Albert Hammond mixture! This super groove allowed Hubert to return to the stage, again in great style, so cool and with a quick tweak to the machine heads of his Goldtop mahogany instrument, joined the band in the Stomp . Fretting economically and with the notes decaying quickly but with beautiful tone, the song seamlessly became Should've Quit You . With “Rooster” style slides Hubert's style manifested itself once again. The audience burst into reverent and enthusiastic applause at the end of this fine song.

Cold shivers and the hair at the back of my neck rising, accompanied the intro to another classic, Red Rooster ! Brought to the wider audience by The Rolling Stones in the sixties, Hubert polished off the guitar and vocals and included the distinctive slide, which probably inspired a generation of guitar players. Ably assisted by the All-Star Band, including Mudcat, resembling Chevy Chase and back on his double bass, this song was another highlight in the evening's high quality set.Dave Maxwell's vocals came to the fore once again to sing the light-hearted Handyman . With double-entendre lyrics and Hubert's typically styled guitar solo the song moved on with smiles from all around the room! A cheeky song!

Not to be left out, Mudcat Ward exchanged his Double Bass for the Fender Bass once again to sing the song The Things I Used to Do . Mudcat's vocals were not to be sneezed at and the song was very pleasant indeed. Not to be out done but after much coaxing Pers Hansen, the bands truly superb percussionist, sang the song Mess Around ! It was again a very enjoyable and familiar song. Pers timing was perfect even while he sang. His co-ordination must be something else to play as well as he does and sing at the same time!

The last song of the set was Got My Mojo Working . Hubert sang and played this fantastic old song while the audience again provided the accompaniment, “got my mojo working etc”….magical! The band wound down and attempted to leave the stage but the audience was having none of it. Leeds Premier Promoter, John F Keenan came to the stage to thank everyone for the evening's entertainment and asked the band for an encore, just one more number!The Band responded with another fine old song, Hubert's guitar sounding typically clean through his Fender Twin and the band working well alongside this master from the very roots of the blues. The hot audience were still wanting more but it was time for the band to retire to more adulation as they left the stage. Hubert was greeted by a multitude of ladies and to kisses and handshakes.

It was a remarkable evening and I am so pleased to have witnessed this excellent concert.

Steve Lally ©