Live at
The Torrington, Finchley,
Sunday 30th November 2003
A first visit to the Back Door Club at the Torrington in North Finchley on a late November Sunday evening turned out to be the first of three firsts! Second first was meeting promoter and one man stage manager Pete Feenstra who runs this and many other London gigs whilst the third first was catching a rare London appearance by the band about whom I had heard so much, Blues Move. Put simply, these guys are phenomenal! No really, that superlative is more than deserved. Playing to an audience which numbered no more than 50, the band which comprises Howard Smith on guitar & vocals, Julian Grudgings – keyboards & vocals, Mike Hellier drums and Roger Inniss on bass showed why they are earning rave reviews everywhere they play.
The very varied set kicked off with two up tempo numbers, "Big Boss Man" and the Julian Grudgings penned "Get Out of Jail", which saw Howard Smith pacing the stage like a latter day Wilko Johnson. Try as hard as one may, it is often inevitable that one draws comparisons and the immediate memory that was stirred was Little Feat, not an unfavourable comparison. Keb Mo’s "Dangerous Mood" led into another of Julian’s compositions, "Rhythm of Life" and then Howard’s fabulous "Slow Train" which I reckon is a classic! The song starts off with spare guitar chords from Howard and builds slowly but steadily to a climactic peak before subsiding to finish almost as it started. All the time the rhythm chugs along conjuring up this image of the huge American freight trains which wind their way across the continent. It is one of those songs that defies description, it has to be heard to appreciate the subtlety, the power, the depth the splendour of it all. It is also a great showcase for Julian’s great talents on the keyboards, Howard’s beautiful measured guitar playing and Mike’s rock steady drumming which underpins everything the band do and to which, it is clear, Mike gives his all.
Also from the band’s excellent "beat’n’trak" CD which should be in everyone’s collection as a great compendium of this superb but underrated British band’s talent and material, was another of Howard’s compositions, "Diplomat Song" which gave Roger Inniss his moment of glory. Roger has played with many great names and has slotted seamlessly into the band and what a player he is! I first saw him playing with Mick Pini in May 2003 and tonight Roger alternated between a huge six string bass which at times he played as if he were lead guitarist and a beautiful five string acoustic fretless bass which is relatively newly acquired and which Roger tells me he is loving playing.
Often bass players are given a solo simply to satisfy the unwritten lore that says every dog should have his day! Roger’s solo in "Diplomat" was something else. To say that the audience’s breath was taken away is an understatement, his deft touch and obvious skill was utterly spellbinding and jaws were hitting the floor all round the room!
Julian’s "Drinking Song" was followed by a great rendition of Freddie King’s "Remington Ride", a great number which bounces along and in some respects was completely unexpected except that I had heard it on the CD!
BluesMove are the band of choice for many touring artists including the excellent Sherman Robertson during both his recent tour and his upcoming 2004 tour and it was fitting that the band treated us to their take on one of Robertson’s better known compositions "Outta Sight Outta Mind".
The set was rounded off by Howard’s emotion drenched "Brand New Friend" and Julian’s aptly titled "Hurry Up", both numbers which only served to reinforce what talented composers they both are and how hugely talented the four musicians who form BluesMove are and how tight they are when playing together. Absolutely superb! The encore was entitled "Good Thing is About To Run Out", a most appropriate title given that all too soon the gig was at an end and we all had to wend our way back home after a really cracking evening’s entertainment.
An appeal to venues & promoters in London & the South-East. You owe it to your customers to book this superb band and bring their music to your venue. They are truly one of the outstanding British bands currently on the circuit and deserve a higher profile which they will achieve and then you won’t be able to afford them!!! Don’t say I did not tell you!
Ashwyn Smyth - Digital Blues
PhoenixFM.com/DigitalBlues.htm