I was lucky enough to see a great gig by Mike Blackmore and His Festival Of Showoffs last night. I love that title incidentally and it fits what they did because they showed off all night. The taste and restraint they did it with was a thing of beauty though. Heres some thoughts. Enjoy … and guys, thanks for a great night. The Mike Blackmore Group: Magic at Two Amigos From The Festival Of Showoffs Mike Blackmore with Dave Thomas, Dan Martin and a Guest Spot with Chris Molyneaux Sunday August 31, 2014 by Brian Hay Theres times when it has to be said that things dont get any better than this. Its a cliche and its been said about sessions Mikes initiated but its true. The dynamic the trio of Mike, guitarist Dan Martin and keyboard player Dave Thomas had jumped out the instant the first few notes materialized. The music took on a life completely apart from yet entirely involved with the players participating and the effect was magical. There was no clear lead player in the show. When Dan had the lead Dave was setting the patterns for him improvise on while Mike held the floor and signalled things for both. If Dave was was rolling off the flourishes the other two were setting up the space for him work in. Dans experience as a bass player showed clearly in these segments as did Mikes work as a drummer. Timekeeping and giving the music its push, whichever group of players it came from here, was practiced as the form of fine art that it is. The solos that came out of it, from either player, were absolutely delicious. Saxophone player Chris Molyneaux showed up early in the first set and added spice to what had already taken shape. He loves improvisational playing and puts out his best work when theres solid creative swirl going on around him. With three powerful soloists sharing the floor saying the series of instrumental dialogues that went back and forth was breathtaking is an understatement. With Mike adding more theatrical flair and humour to his singing and the ensemble holding down the rhythm end as if born to it they created a music lovers paradise. It didnt let up after Chris left either. It couldnt. These guys were having too good a time for that to happen. The two sets that followed featured fantastic interplay between the three musicians. Dan and Dave both filled the room jaw dropping but tastefully restrained solo work that stayed in context with the material and scrupulously in touch with what the other members did. Highlights included great and very fresh renditions of regular features like House Of The Rising Sun, Everybody Loves Somebody and Summertime. Fabulous performances of Black Magic Woman and Let It Be, two songs not heard as often in Mikes sets, came out with an individualistic stamp, but also with respect that would make their creators proud. A great interpretation of Knockin On Heavens Door showcased a couple of hilarious spots of Mike doing Dylan. As with everything else though, he knows how to do it without overplaying things. That restraint is one of the keys to his shows. The sound has to be strong but no one part overpowers another. The dynamics have priority and the energy has its root there. Making the music new is a must and he succeeds magnificently at that. Each performance of Sixteen Tons (for instance) feels different than the last one. Citing the difference in instrumental combinations is an obvious reason and the fact that he enjoys spontaneous work is another. The root of things runs deeper than that. Hes a hard working musician whos focused on the new, on making things new, and when dealing with the old, on renewing its spirit. The result is a fresh sensibility every time out that carries infectiously to other players. With that in mind and the attention he lavishes on keeping the fundamentals straight the result is often magic. The Festival of Showoffs sure created that last night.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:27:38 +0000