Gig Review
Dani Wilde
Saturday, 25 April 2009:
Dani Wilde and Will 'Harmonica' Wilde with the Neptune Blues Band. A first visit to Bluesnights by some young but very talented musicians, led by Brighton-based sister and brother Dani and Will Wilde. The evening was split into two parts, kicking off with a set from the Neptune Blues Band, featuring Will on vocals and harmonica, supported by Dan Graham and Sandy Buglass (guitars), Little Alan Taylor (drums) and Johnny Chase (bass).
As their set progressed, they quickly demonstrated the truth of the musical adage – 'If you're good enough, you're old enough' – theirs is a sound that is authentic Chicago, yet with a contemporary feel. They turned in a tight and punchy set which included six of their own compositions, kicking off with an up-tempo instrumental that set the pace. "I'm Tired" had a heavy riff, whilst "Fly Around The World" - another own composition - was tight and funky. Lurie Bell's "Smoking Dynamite" got a slow R&B treatment with both guitarists soloing. Elmore James' "I Can't hold Out" was good driving boogie.
They finished their set with Sonny Boy Williamson's "Checking On My Baby" – a fitting finale.
Note: Click thumbnail to view full artist image.
Photo credit: Paul Martin.
... continued
For the second half, Dani had brother Will on harp and vocal plus Alan on drums and bassman Johnny. For someone as petite as she is, Dani possesses a powerful voice; she is also no slouch when it comes to guitar, playing both acoustic and Fender Telecaster. One of her own numbers "Born to Love Him" was a punchy song with a syncopated riff. "Slow Coach2, also her own, provided a contrast in style, being a jumpy ragtime song with a country-style harp solo.
There is a fair bit of intensity in Dani's performance, whether it be a driving rocker like "Come Undone" or a poignant spiritual as in Eric Bibb's "Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around". She can certainly bring out the emotions as she did with a beautifully executed rendition of Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine". A dollop of rock 'n' roll with "Rock Me Baby" went down well. Dani also did a solo spot playing Shemekia Copeland's "Ghetto Child" - slow and emotive, very poignant.
The band were really cooking on "Some Kind of Crazy", and bowed out with a barnstorming version of the Muddy Waters spin-off "I'm a Woman", a muscular emphatic rendition that hit the nail on the head. An excellent Bluesnight's debut enjoyed by all and very well worth going to see. Keep an eye out for them.
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
25 April 2009.
