Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough.
IN TIMES of economic hardship and downturn, it’s nice to reflect there are good things happening locally to cheer us here in Knaresborough.
Top of my list are the monthly folk/jazz/pop gigs by British artists,
presented by Kula Productions at the Frazer Theatre. Bringing a stream of serious musical talent to town, an intimate setting, affordable prices, and a good pint of bitter, these dates offer real value.
The pairing of soul singer Maggie Bell and veteran bluesman Dave Kelly on their UK “tourette” looked to be a tasty one, and this prospect was fully realised on the night.
Soul music evolved in the 50s courtesy of the great Ray Charles, mixing black gospel and blues traditions.
Superficially an unlikely partnership, with contrasting personalities and musical careers, Bell and Kelly clicked together beautifully on the night exploring the interface of soul and blues music, not least in their fine re-workings of Brother Ray’s own titles Lonely Avenue and The Danger Zone.
Much of their material was as familiar and welcome as an old friend – Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me, Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding), House of the Rising Sun (Animals).
Kelly provides the perfect retort to the purist: “Can a white man sing the blues?” with eerily authentic vocals and a masterful display of acoustic and electric guitar technique, including slide (running a metal tube over the strings to provide vibration and warmer tone).
These talents were highlighted after the interval as a solo Kelly played the obscure 19th century blues Write Me a Few Short Lines to loud acclaim.
The extrovert Bell is a raucous Scottish belter of earthy songs like Just Wanna Make Love to You – a soul and blues classic. She also injected amusing anecdotes and banter with the audience into a very entertaining, enjoyable evening.
My companions (one from the USA) and the audience generally gave them a big “thumbs up”.
Well done Bell/Kelly, Kula Productions, and the Frazer Theatre – long may this reason to be cheerful continue.
Jeff Loffill
