For those that don’t know, the Indications are a five piece band led by Durand Jones’ classic soul voice digging deep in the style of Sam Cooke with a touch of James Brown backed by the falsetto of drummer Aaron Frazer adding the contrast when taking lead and perfect harmonies when not. The rhythm section are tight and understated but ensuring that the musicality of the show is top drawer. The sound is spot on allowing the two vocalists to be heard perfectly whilst not consigning the music way back in the mix and any concerns about a lack of any brass section are quickly dispelled by the band and whilst brass will always enhance the sound it’s not missed tonight. All that said its Jones’ voice that is the star of the show singing with real depth and emotion taking us right back to the sixties which was arguably the heyday of soul.
With a new album in the wings tonight’s show is blend of oldies and newbies with the new songs more than holding their own. The pacing tonight is perfect with a mixture of up tempo songs that take us to the top of the mountain followed by slow sultry groove ballads that ease us back down the other side.
The show flies by and eighty minutes later it’s all over leaving us all wanting more. Highlights from the old tracks are probably fairly obvious with a lovely version of ‘Is it any wonder’ contrasting with the groovy ‘Smile’. The band resplendent in matching polo neck jumpers lead us all in a rousing cover of ‘Don’t let me Down’ to end the night.
A great soulful start to the year and these guys have all of the ingredients to quickly rise up the musical ladder and I would expect them to be playing bigger venues real soon.
Keep on soulful rockin’ y’all.