Simpson’s stock has risen dramatically over the past year and he references his first show in London a year ago in front of a significantly smaller audience. On a hot sticky night with the band suffering combined trans-atlantic jet colds they get straight down to it. There’s no time for much banter as the band rattle through ‘Water in the Well’ and ‘Long white Line’
What is clear from the off is that this band rocks. They are tighter than a Scotsman’s wallet. Laur Joamets, the Estonian lead guitarist is an understated, no histrionics straight out rock n roll axe man. His provides the perfect electric foil to Simpson’s acoustic. Bass player Kevin Black doesn’t seem to move his hands at all but provides the underlying beat to it all with Miles Miller providing the harmonies and drums with Jeff Crow supplementing the sound on keys.
Highlights on the night range from their cover of ‘The Promise’ but it’s the balls out rocker ‘Poor Rambler’ where the band excel with a lengthy jam and fine soloing on the acoustic guitar from Simpson. Tonight its all about the band as a unit and its difficult to think of a better group of musicians at the moment. The sound tonight is clean and crisp and the show was as close to perfection as you can get.
Twenty five gigs in this year for me and it’s going to be difficult to top this. Messrs.’ Bingham and Isbell have truly had the gauntlet thrown down if they are going to match tonight.
Keep on rockin y’all.