The Steve Eggs Band Wows the Sound Lounge
August is a month that symbolises abundance, transformation and reflection. Yay verily there was an abundance of music and cause for reflection at the gigs your Raver attended during the warmth of our late summer season.
Certainly there was an element of transformation when the Steve Eggs Band played to a cheering crowd at the Sound Lounge, Sutton on a hot August 10th night. The group led by guitarist, singer and composer Steve Eggs played a lot of new material as well as their greatest hits, all with a fresh energy and vitality.
They were clearly having fun, a mood shared with the crowd who called out for requests and later heaped praise upon the musicians as they stumbled from the stage, if not dripping in sweat, certainly in need of a cold drink.
It all began with new song ‘Place In The World’ an aggressive rocker that kicked off the show with such violent energy it drew an instant reaction from the seated hordes as well as those crowding around the bar. ‘Good Intentions’ one of the band’s most memorable riff laden rockers featured lead guitarist Jon Kershaw unleashing a series of exultant solos.
“We were going to play all our greatest hits tonight”, announced Steve. “But we haven’t had any. But we are going to play some new songs.” All of which deserved to be hits, as large sections of the audience clearly concurred. The heavy rock mood continued with ‘One Horse Town’ and the irresistible ‘Almost Talking’ during which Mr. Kershaw struck a single, simple chord that had a striking impact amidst the torrent of notes.
Drummer (and vocalist) Mark Taylor sat behind a house drum kit but was also equipped with his own array of brand new cymbals. He unleashed a commanding intro to ‘Spinning Wheel’ that romped along with an infectious two beat rhythm. Most interesting of the new songs was ‘Devils And Angels’ a slow measured performance that Steve sang solo accompanied by his own guitar, until joined by the rest of the SEB men.
‘Strangest Feeling’ with chiming chords and chunky riffs saw the band evolve into a close-knit unit unleashing a river of sound. ‘Wings’ took off with groovy guitar interplay between Jon and Steve. But one of their most intriguing arrangements is the dramatic ‘Sugar And Blood’ with Peter Wass on bass guitar and vocals joining Steve at the microphone. They delivered heartfelt lyrics that mesmerised the audience including those gazing in some awe from the bar, among them guys who looked like motorcycle dudes just ridden in from Arizona.
A sultry ’Turn It Up’ one of the band’s most soulful funk anthems was turned on by Peter’s beefy bass shaking the stage and the ice in our drinks. The flow of Egg-sian songs continued with the haunting ‘Wrap My Arms Around You’ and ‘We Humans’ played in 3/4 time. The show reached a climax with treatments of old favourites like ‘American Girl,’ ‘Highway 61’ and ‘I Saw Her Standing There.’ Beatle mania? More like Steve Eggs Band madness.
Just to complete the evening’s sense of musical achievement and audience appreciation, a rocker rushed up to Mr. Kershaw as he came off stage clutching his PRS SE Standard 24 guitar and roared: “Jimmy Page could learn a lot from you.” Well, the entire music industry could learn a lot from the Steve Eggs Band. They play original songs. And people like them!
Many thanks to Peter’s niece, Helayna Wass, for the excellent photos!
CHRIS WELCH
Ronnie Scotts All Stars
Live at the Hever Festival, Kent
“What time do you open?” “How soon can you get here?” It was with keen excitement that we battled through pot-holed country lanes to get within earshot of the music festival being held in the grounds of Hever Castle on a warm August evening.
How Henry VIII ever found his way there in the 16th century without Satnav is a mystery. But then he loved music too and if his ghost still looms over his former domain, then he would have approved of the sound of Ronnie Scott’s All Stars displaying their skills at jousting and jesting, among his favourite pastimes.
The ‘jousting’ was demonstrated amidst the formidable interplay between the loyal band of musical brothers and their beauteous Mistress of the Melody, Natalie Williams. The ‘jesting’ came when band leader and tenor saxophonist Alex Garnett told his witty and often shocking stories about his hero and the founder of one of the world’s finest jazz venues, Ronnie Scott’s Club.
As a musical documentary, the show called the Soho Song Book held under the protective roof of the Two Sisters Outdoor Theatre (on August 11th) was entertaining and brilliantly performed, by a well-rehearsed band that knew exactly what it was doing. Appropriately, footage of Ronnie Scott was screened above the stage with him seen at the club cheerfully answering ’phone enquiries about opening time.
James Pearson led the way with his commanding presence at a very grand piano, while Sam Burgess on double bass and Chris Higginbotham (drums) formed the ultimate rhythm section underscoring the arrangements with split-second timing.
James Pearson’s solo spots were not just technically impressive but ear bend-ingly creative and Alex Garnett, the master of ceremonies and a masterful soloist, improvised at speed on a tenor saxophone once owned by Ronnie Scott. So, what better tune to play than an incredibly fast ‘Bebop.’
Natalie Williams, a fine singer with a powerful stage presence sang ‘Falling In Love With Love’ in a variety of tempos a lá Sarah Vaughan and followed this with a charming ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ during which Sam Burgess took a nimble bass solo. Natalie then led into Bobby Timmons’ soulful ‘Moanin’ and paid tribute to Burt Bacharach with a ‘Look Of Love.’
‘How High The Moon,’ was a fitting bow to Ella Fitzgerald, and Alex delivered a raunchy ‘Alfie’ in honour of Sonny Rollins. But the loudest cheers were reserved for Chris Higginbotham and his Buddy Rich-inspired version of ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ and Natalie’s ‘I Put A Spell On You.’ Ronnie Scott’s All Stars put a spell on everybody that splendid evening under the stars.
CHRIS WELCH