Tuesday Night Blues – The Cavern Freehouse 100 Club Tuesday Night Blues at The 100 Club tonight brought together two very different but most excellent acts in the form of singer songstress Lucy Zirins and Blues Rock power trio the Mark Pontin Group. Such was the diversity between the two; Lucy’s enchanting set was almost the calm before the Blues Rock storm. It must take some degree of courage to step on to a stage at a renowned venue with just a voice and an acoustic guitar but Zirins looked totally at ease as she shared with us her personality not just her fine music. The young lady has already carved out a reputation as a rising star and her live performance evidences the reputation is deserved. Tonight’s set was eclectic too as it combined songs from acclaimed debut album Chasing Clocks, two excellent covers and two songs aired for the first time in public On each of the 8 songs the voice was pitch perfect, crystal clear and broad in range, swooping low and soaring high. Lucy’s guitar work was dextrous, playful and deeply melodic. The lilting subtle sweeps of Wake Me and the evocative gospel tinges of Mercy were especially delightful. The feel evident in both the vocal and the guitar flourishes. Lucy Zirins is certainly not pure Blues but her brand of rootsy folk is certainly extremely enjoyable and eminently listenable and her appeal is rightly broad church. Tonight I feel sure she won new fans such was the quality of the fare. Anyone not aware of the Mark Pontin Group may have been lulled in to a false sense of security by the melodic and gentle set from Lucy. Any safety nets were ripped to shreds immediately by the band as they stepped right in to a throbbing groove and hook heavy slab of Days of Destiny, the title track off the excellent debut album. Own It followed straight on and allowed Mark to demonstrate his six string prowess as he stalked the stage to peel off a searching scorching solo that pierced the atmosphere. Chasing Blood is a very powerful live cut and so it proved this evening. Alun Walters and Dafydd Davies in the backline plunged ultra-deep digging out dense rhythms for Pontin to spear through with heavy distorted and sustained riffs. It rattled along like a steam engine on greased tracks. The Mark Pontin Group are not all about brute force they can take it down with ease as they did on the funky vibes of Just One More Day, a soulful vocal from Mark and equally soulful moody lead breaks. To close a driving pumping 45 minute set the band eased in to the grinding stretched Blues jam that melded together The Meters and The Allman Brothers. Walters and Davies mined deep in the well for the grooves and Pontin stepped in and out of razor sharp riffs and two white hot solos. The second of which was incendiary in sound as the left hand bent the strings out of shape and the right hand shredded them. Every time I see this band they deliver in spades and get better and better, this trio surely have great things ahead of them as they prepare album number 2 for a Spring 2015 release. Thanks to Lucy and Mark for a great evening and especially to Mark for the generous complimentary tickets.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:53:50 +0000
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