Wilko Johnson // Waterfront 01.03.2014
A legend delivers.
Wilko Johnson // Waterfront 01.03.2014
Today, the Waterfront hosted a blues festival, featuring some of the leading acts from the contemporary blues rock scene. If I’m honest, that ain’t my bag. I was here for one thing: the legend that is Wilko Johnson.
Preceding act Connie Lush & Blues Shouter play twelve-bar based bluesy rock that would be at home in a US roadhouse. Not my thing but standards like 'Hit The Road Jack' were well played; Connie has a voice in the vein of Maggie Bell and I appreciate the craftsmanship. (5/10)
Given his terminal pancreatic cancer, I feared having to write a less than glowing review of Wilko Johnson. As it was, he exceeded expectations. The stares, grimaces and guitar-as-machine-gun moves were all present and correct. Wilko's voice wasn’t great but it never has been and it isn’t the point. That is the guitar.
Ably backed up by bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Dillon Howe, the set mixed originals from throughout Johnson's career with standards. There was the occasional misfire - Norman’s bass solo wasn’t his best ever! - but the likes of 'She Does It Right' and encore 'Johnny B Goode' more than made up for that.
An audience member shouted, "Wilko we love you!" I can say it no better than that. (9/10)
Pavlis
