Monday 30th July, Jazz Cafe, London, St Paul and the Broken Bones. Thankfully after my last visit here for Anderson East where the temperature was somewhere between Saharan and the surface of the sun, the aircon has been fixed, sort of. Its couples tonight with me and the missus where we are joined by the recently renamed ‘Monster Energy Drink’ Andy and his good lady, Helen.
I have reviewed the ‘bones’ many times on this site since we first saw them supporting Isbell in 2014 and this will be my sixth show in those four years. They are always great, it’s as simple as yet and their shows and them as a band have matured over those years into a slick soulful attack on the senses.
We were not going to pass up an opportunity to see them in a small venue like the Jazz Café as they are more used now to playing larger venues such as the Roundhouse later this year. On to the show. After requests for Paul Janeway’s vocals to be turned up the sound man got his act together after a couple of songs and from then on in it’s a tour de force of superior musicianship and Janeway’s remarkable voice. It’s not just the voice, he is the complete showman strutting round the stage, getting down and dirty for a boogie, chucking his sequinned shoes all over the shop and generally playing to the crowd reminiscent of Freddie Mercury in his pomp.
With a new album out soon the band showcased a couple of new songs which fitted in perfectly to the set. There’s obviously room for old favourites like ‘Call Me’ and ‘Broken bones and pocket change’ plus new to me ‘Convex’ which I loved.
Another great show from this band who continue to grow musically. If you get the change its live where you have to appreciate them best. Can’t wait for the next time.
Keep on southern soul rockin y’all