Sue G's voice had a gravely quality a little like Tina Turner and a range and power to match anyone else in the business. Fronting the band from behind her keyboard Sue struggled a bit with the strange atmosphere that was The Marr's Bar tonight. Whether it was the Easter Break and its warm balmy sunshine I don't know but there was a sort of apathetic response that almost spoilt a great evening. Sue posed the question "Was it the passing of your wondeful Queen Mother?" - so she had picked up the strange vibes from the room. Anyway, the band weren't put off too much and slowly seemed to get the crowd on their side and eventually up dancing.
The set started with 'Box' and saw Sue using the top end of her range (Kate Bush on speed?) to great effect. The band did seem a little disjointed at times but the quality musicianship still shone through. Dave Miner on bass laid down cool and sometimes funky riffs that almost went unnoticed during Sue's vocal numbers but came to the fore during their brilliant instrumental numbers. The laid back Mark Haynes on guitar performed some fantastic guitar work with consummate ease. His right hand style was so easy that you had to look closely to see any movement at all. Spelling nightmare Eskil Wetterqvist drove them along with some fine drumming in his unorthodox playing style and provided backing vocal and light hearted banter.
'Lack Of Trying', a soulful bluesy number seemed to make the audience sit and listen as Sue G hit the sweet spot with beautiful powerhouse vocal and smart keys work helped along by some great guitar from Mark.
Slow and soulful blues, up-tempo road music and a little jazz groove kept up the momentum which was only halted when Sue, accompanied by just her own keyboard, performed two solo numbers in 'Desperado' and 'Over The Rainbow'.
If the night was a little strange with its atmosphere, the album 'Little Crimes' is well worth a listen - it shows just what a great band the Sue G Wilkinson Band are!!
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