Gig Review
Dino Baptist & Darby Todd
Saturday, 12 December 2009:
A very welcome second visit to Bluesnights by this duo Dino Baptist & Darby Todd and another full house to see and listen to this top class act. Dino Baptiste on Roland keyboards shows an amazing dexterity and fluidity in his playing which Darby Todd's impeccable timing on drums complements perfectly. They entertained us with a very rich and varied programme of Boogie Woogie, Blues Soul and Rock 'n' Roll.
BB King's “Every Day I Have The Blues” – played slightly more upbeat than by its originator - was very well executed and nicely tight. To contrast this, Maria Grever's “What A Difference A Day Makes” got a slow, smoking, intense rendition. Willie Dixon's “I Just Wanna Make Love To You” is very funky and rocks nicely with excellent interplay between the keyboard's Hammond organ sound and drums; a very good workout. There followed a couple of Chuck Berry numbers back to back, “C’est La Vie” and then “Johnny B. Goode” which was a rock belter and very infectious. The audience got in on the act, helping out on vocals on Dino's own composition “Whole Lotta Loving”. To finish the first set they played “I’ll Be Good To You Mama” which produced amusing antics on the keyboard – and very fast paced.
Note: Click thumbnail to view full artist image.
Photo credit: Paul Martin.
... continued
You cannot beat “The Bugle Boy Of Company B” for a piece of joyful boogie-woogie, an all time favourite. On the Ray Charles' “Do The Mess Around” the tempo was flat out with very tight drumming. Then on Ray's “Hit The Road Jack,” with a wonderful arrangement, they hit a high; first class musicianship anchored to an instantly recognisable song. To demonstrate their versatility they then played Ira Gershwin's “Summertime”, a very poignant rendition of this slow and moving blues. The penultimate number was one of Dino's own compositions “I'm a Boogie Man”. This song is a real tour de force, with cracking drumming and manic keyboards it is an absolute riot!
We got Dino Baptist & Darby Todd back for an encore and they played Clarence “Frogman” Henry's “Ain’t Got A Home” - they surpassed themselves and at the end the audience stood up and gave them three standing ovations! And richly deserved!
A truly magical evening - can't wait till we have them back again!
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
12 December 2009.
