Maximum Rhythm and Blues Harrogate International Centre 9th November
Marginally fitting into blues territory, Paul Jones and Mike D'Abo introduced the show with the Bill Withers classic “Call Me”. Then transcending into pop-R&B the ex-Manfreds sang a couple of numbers from their back catalogue of hits which were very enjoyable albeit not blues material.
The first guest to be introduced was The Zombies legend, Colin Blundstone looking very well indeed and polishing off Jimmy Ruffin's “What Became of the Broken Hearted” with ease. Continuing with The Holland/Dozier/Holland classic “Where Did Our Love Go” with Paul Jones on maracas and harp, Colin showed he can sing anything. Bassist Marcus Cliffe
deserves a special mention for the best bass solo I have ever seen during this number. With riffs, slaps, bass chords and harmonics this solo was beyond reproach!
The delightful PP Arnold was greeted with great applause. The ex-Ikette blew the audience away with her wonderful original song “Angel of The Morning” much to my delight. I have been a fan of PP for 35 years and tonight's performance made me realise why. A duet with Paul Jones, the Ike and Tina Turner song, “I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine”, had Paul and PP interacting to perfection.
Mike D'Abo continued with a superb version of Dylan's “Just Like A Woman” before introducing Alan Price.
Alan is a great performer and an excellent comedian with his anecdotes but
in a supposed R&B showcase, he didn't seem to fit in style-wise in the
musical sense.
Maybe “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy” was a bit poppy for my taste too, but the audience liked it. Paul Jones sang it to a tee, what a great voice Paul has. He finished the song with a brilliant harmonica solo which morphed into the theme tune of “The Old Grey Whistle Test”.
The wonderful Tom McGuinness as principal guitarist with the entourage picked up a mandolin and performed a perfect “When I'm Dead and Gone”, his hit from the seventies before the return of PP Arnold who performed her original hit, “First Cut Is The Deepest”. Eat your hearts out Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow!
Colin Blundstone returned to perform his Zombies hit, “No One Told Me About Her”,an excellent rendition, before Mike D'Abo's “Handbags and Gladrags” played into the encore. A masterpiece!
Not enough blues for me but a very enjoyable show nonetheless.
Steve Lally ©