Saturday 2 November 2013

Andy Fairweather Low at the Customs House, South Shields - review by Terry Kelly

Andy Fairweather Low
The Customs House, South Shields


A WORKING musician for almost 50 years, Andy Fairweather Low played a blinder for his South Tyneside fans.

The Welsh-born singer and ace guitarist has nothing to prove, having played alongside the likes of Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Bob Dylan, but he always gives everything in performance.

Serving up a rich cocktail of blues, gospel, skiffle, sentimental show tunes and straight pop, Fairweather Low delivered a master class in, to quote one of his songs, Sweet Soulful Music.

Opening with Slim Harpo's Got Love If You Want It and Jimmy Reed's Baby What You Want Me To Do, Fairweather Low tore through his impressive back catalogue, ably supported by his staggeringly good band the Low Riders - namely, Dave Bronze on bass, drummer Paul Beavis and saxophonist Nick Pentelow.

With his cheeky chappy persona and self-deprecating patter, the former Amen Corner front man would endear himself to any audience, even without his brilliant musicianship.

His big 70s hit, Wide Eyed and Legless, was well received, as was his extended bluesy work-out on Gin House, and his touching version of The Beatles' I'll Get You.

A clutch of great guitar instrumentals preceded his big Amen Corner hit, (If Paradise) Is Half As Nice, before Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders left the stage to a deserved standing ovation.

TERRY KELLY

1 comment:

  1. Wow -- with Nick Pentelow also. Sounds very, very great.

    Curtis Roberts

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