Sometimes in life the best things happen when you least expect
it. And so it was that on a bitterly cold foggy night in November, and in the
company of the incomparable bass player Roger Inniss, Sherman Robertson was
reborn as the vivacious blues rocker of old.
Well over a decade has passed since Sherman announced his considerable talent
to the world, and Europe in particular. Aside from cutting a brace of fine albums
in the 90’s Sherman’s profile was further extended by his being
featured in the Fender guitar anniversary film and book, projecting this passionate
blues rocker to international fame.
Yet since those halcyon days things haven’t panned out as planned, and
he all but disappeared from public view.
Eighteen or so months ago Sherman was suddenly back, playing an exhaustive itinerary
but still with no new album in tow. Last May he came back to Europe again again,
and was close to hitting the heights of yore, but last night’s show proved
that he has shed his personal demons, and the smile and effortless guitar style
has returned.
Together with his European tour band Blues Move, Sherman weaved his magic spell
over an eager audience who by the end of the night were on their feet baying
for an encore. At the close of the show Sherman went walkabout past the dressing
room into the car park, reappearing at the back of the room, sneaking up on
his audience with a tap on the shoulder - a great finale to a brilliant show.
Along the way he gave us Texas soul shuffles, full of real feel, undulating
funk, and a slice of blues. Sherman’s beautiful guitar tone rang like
a bell as bass player Innes provided sumptuous bass lines and drummer Mike Hellier
gave rock solid support. Keyboard player Jools Grudgings has in the past been
elevated to a front line instrument in the band, but last night he contented
himself with tasteful fills as it was all about Sherman’s delightful guitar
flurries and his passionate vibrato, never better illustrated than on the funky
“Out of Sight Out of Mind”, and the tough shuffle “Guitar
Man”
An extended version of “Tin Pan Alley” revealed all Sherman’s
poise, delicacy and true blues feel. There are many great players on the live
circuit but few have the intuitive feel and sheer ability of this King of Texan
soul blues. This was nothing short of the rebirth of one of the most talented
blues men of our times.
Pete Feenstra