456 days… yes 456 days since my last gig on March 8th 2020. In a week where I celebrate forty years of going to gigs this must be the longest time between shows I can remember. We get on the train with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and a little nervousness. Whats the etiquette now at gigs, have the band forgotten how to play their instruments, can I whoop when they come on, all to be established and hopefully the music muscle memory kicks back in. It’s also our first trip to London this calendar year.
Thanks to ‘Monster Energy Drink’ Andy for the recommendation for Acantha Lang, late of New Orleans via New York and living over here for a while now we are told that this is her first show of original material and we are the first people to hear her new as yet unfinished debut album.
Its socially distanced show of course with us all sat at tables but everyone has a good view of the stage and it’s somehow feels right in this venue and this type of show. Clearly for a rock show it would be terrible but for some sweet soul tinged blues or blues tinged soul it’s perfect. The table service is good and unobtrusive and it’s all very civilised and the complimentary water is a nice touch too and it’s probably the most comfortable I have ever been at the Jazz Café where is usually rammed and oppressively hot.
It’s an early start with Ms Lang playing two sets tonight and there’s no compromise with regard the size of the band as it’s a nine piece with horn section and two backing singers to complement the usual mix of drums, bass, organ and guitar.
For someone who has been lucky to have worked throughout the last 15 months it must be strange for these guys to be performing again for the first time in so long. There is no sign of rustiness though as there are on it from note one.
A couple of songs in it really hit me that I was at a live music experience for the first time in so long and it was a little overwhelming to be doing something that I love so much. It’s a great two set show flipping between originals and select covers taking in pure blues, sixties soul and a touch of New Orleans swagger and brass. Special props to the guy on keys who manages to get that classic organ sound from what looks like a Bontempi organ bought from Argos in 1976. But of course what stands out most is Lang’s stunning voice. Equally at home down the scale but boy can she hit those high notes too. A real talent and hopefully with the release of her debut album her talent can be recognised more widely but not before I see her again at another similarly sized venue.
So it’s great to be back in the saddle again and I will be mounting the gigular horse again this Friday with a local show in the company of Peter Bruntnell and James Walbourne.
Keep on rockin y’all