Andy Fairweather-Low
London Camden Jazz Café
8th November, 2007

View: standing, centre

“Twelve gigs in 26 years,” chortles the former hit-maker, reflecting on his solo career since becoming illustrious sideman to Clapton, Waters and co. Tonight he makes up for it, a storming trawl down the years underpinned by his laconic Welsh humour. Starting off with Wide-Eyed And Legless, Reggae Tune and other 70s favourites, we get a decent helping of the striking new album, Sweet Soulful Music, a handful of rockabilly and blues standards, and finish off with an Amen Corner songfest: Gin House, Hello Suzie Bend Me Shape Me and a rousing (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice. It all fits together, a jerky, uplifting, soulful melee united by Low’s drawl vocals and breath-taking guitar work, plus a three-piece virtuoso band featuring keyboard veteran Chris Stainton and Clapton bassist Dave Bronze. He says he’s “looking for a real job”. This should be it.

Reviewed by Nick Dalton
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