Gig Review
Michael Roach
Saturday, 9 January 2010:
Despite the bitterly cold weather there was a reasonable turnout and a warm welcome for Michael Roach on his third visit to Bluesnights. Michael used two guitars, an elderly National Steel and a Gibson '68-J4S. His repertoire was very diverse and included Delta blues, some rock, smatterings of jazz, plus some well played spirituals.
Being a genial and warm natured man, he quickly established a rapport with the audience and this set the tone for the evening. He began the first set with a nice gentle rhythmic version of “Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied”. He informed us that, in his late '50s, he is one of the last exponents of the Piedmont style of guitar picking! He demonstrated this particular blues form to great effect on “What The Matter Blues”. In many blues songs there is an element of sexual innuendo and a few of these got an airing in songs such as in Big Bill Broonzy’s “How Do You Want Your Rolling Done?” with its fast picking rhythm, and again more noticeably on a tune titled “Rattle Snaking Daddy” which was quite explicit.
A number of the Michael's songs were drawn from his yet-to-be formally released new album 'Innocent Child', several of which featured backing vocals by Birmingham-based group 'Black Voices'. Whilst making the point that as a solo artist he couldn't provide both lead and backing vocals, nevertheless his renditions of these tracks certainly persuaded some audience members to purchase the CD in the interval!
Note: Click thumbnail to view full artist image.
Photo credit: Paul Martin.
... continued
Throughout the evening we, the audience, had several opportunities to join in on the chorus lines of songs. One which was great fun was "Nursery Rhyme Blues" where we called out the names of rhymes, which Michael Roach then fitted into a blues format. There was a selection of standards like “Cypress Grove” where he played a slow smouldering version, very precisely picking out the notes – very moving. I especially enjoyed Sleepy John Este's “Brownsville Blues”. It has a thumping baseline and lovely slide, really good playing.
Michael Roach slipped in a couple of interesting numbers, such as an instrumental version of “Ain’t She Sweet” – delicately picked! He also performed “I Shall Not Be Moved”, followed that with “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”; these numbers showed how wide his scope is. Michael's masterful treatment of Cab Calloway’s “Minnie The Moocher” was truly excellent and we all joined in on the scat singing. He finally rounded off the evening with Sleepy John Este's “Worried Life Blues”; a very good arrangement with a distinctive riff!
A very enjoyable evening was had by all. Having seen Michael Roach at Bluesnights in both solo and duo formats (with harp ace Ian Briggs), maybe his next visit will be with his full band? Now wouldn't that be something?!
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
9 January 2010.
