Boogie woogie, blues, and classic rock and roll songs were all on the menu when the virtuoso pianist and singer Steve Clayton appeared at the Guildhall.
A popular draw on the live circuit, and a regular performer at Lichfield’s Real Ale, Jazz and Blues Festival, the four piece band managed to draw a large Sunday night crowd.
With help from guitarist and violinist Howard Gregory, drummer Howard Smith and bassist Bob Boucher, the ensemble played a fast-paced set that was full of musical invention, and accessible tunes.
The first half included such songs as Back to Birmingham, the 50’s styled piano rolls of High School Hop and the crowd pleasing Shake, Rattle and Roll.
The spirited Honky Tonk Train Boogie was an exercise in rolling piano rhythms and interjections from the backing band, while the slow blues of Ain’t That Good Loving gave Clayton a chance to show of his bluesy vocal style.
This year saw the 20th anniversary of their first album, and the title track from that album, Can’t Stop The Boogie, was a fitting way to close the first section.
The second half was packed full of songs, ranging from the rollicking Where Did You Stay Last Night? which featured a solo from guitarist Howard Gregory, while Bob Boucher was given a chance to shine during Early in the Morning.
A piano solo which segued into The Blues is Alright and call and response with the audience lifted the energy levels, which were bought down by Prescription for the Blues. This, and the next song Keep Your Hands out of my Pockets featured moody, melodic violin solos from Howard Gregory, who proved equally adept on ivolin as he was on guitar.
A different mood was set for Let the Four Winds Blow which featured impeccable four part vocal harmonies, while the closing three songs were all crowd pleasing, singalong hits. Blueberry Hill was well received, as was Ray Charles’ What I Say which had a slightly different reading to usual, and the whole concert was finished with a rambunctious version of Whole Lot of Shaking Going On.
The encore provided even more surprises, with a boogie woogie reading of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love which sounded good, stripped of the heavy bombast.
Although the group are not doing anything really different, they know how to keep an audience entertained, and their wide ranging, repertoire and easy onstage rapport means that they are worth a night out.
