A quick belated review for the great man. I have seen Alvin countless times down the years from that first show at the Watermans in 1998, where we had some banter about the merits or not of us giving the USA The Spice Girls and the US then giving us Michael Bolton in return, to full electric shows that seem to upset some of the purists in the crowd. Tonight is the electric trio Muscle Theory in the basement of the Slaughtered Lamb.
A two set show full of classic blues numbers with nods I think to Slim Harpo, Blind Willy, Neil Young and Doug Sahm to name a few and a sprinkling of Alvin originals. The rhythm section provide the driving force to move the songs along and give Alvin the space to throw out some amazing guitar work and storming solos. Every time I see him especially in the electric context I leave the show and turn to my mates and say what an underrated guitarist he is. It’s effortless or at least he makes it look that way.
A practiced raconteur there’s no room for uncomfortable silences between songs and there is a nice flow to the whole show. Little else to say but if you love the blues then go see Alvin as it will always be a good show.
Keep on rock and rollin y’all