Joanne Shaw Taylor

Mr Kyps, Poole

It’s a strange feeling walking into Kyps knowing that it will be the last time I will visit this iconic venue. After eighteen years and a period of rumours, denials and counter-rumours the doors will finally shut for good on June 9th. Being a fan of guitar players, specifically of the blues persuasion, I have seen many a great show in this old converted snooker hall. Who, of the eighty or so people in attendance, can forget Joe Bonamassa’s first ever gig on UK soil in 2005 and his subsequent shows in 2006, 2007 and again in 2015 when he brought a stellar band back for a free gig in front of a packed audience as a thank you to Kyp for showing faith in an unknown kid from New Hartford, USA. And Joe wasnít the only American guitar wiz to tread the boards, there was Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales, Walter Trout, Philip Sayce, Eric Sardinas, Carvin Jones, Rocky Athas and more that I can’t remember off the top of my head. There was also Dan Patlansky from South Africa, Jeff Lang from Australia and a few Brits such as Laurence Jones, Mitch Laddie, Matt Schofield, Larry Miller, Danny Bryant, Mick Moody, Ian Siegal, our own axeman Scott McKeon and Joanne Shaw Taylor who tonight, brought the curtain down on blues nights in Ashley Cross with her band of Luigi Casanova on bass, drummer Oliver Perry and on keys, Bob Fridzema.

Joanne’s stock must have risen quite considerably over the last couple of years as Kyps was heaving tonight. Barely in her thirties, the audience demographic she pulls, definitely leans towards the older end of the spectrum, which is a pity, as her no holds barred approach would certainly appeal to a younger rock crowd. As she walks on stage, her demeanour is relaxed and her attire sober, dressed in black jeans and a black top she looks ready to go to work, thereís no room for glamourpuss posturing here. The first three songs are all plucked from her latest album, “Wild”, the mid-paced “Dyin’ to Know”, and “Nothing to Lose” warm up the crowd nicely and ìNo Reason to Stayî slows the tempo, but ìJump That Trainî from 2010’s “Diamonds in the Dirt” elicits the first big response of the night. Built on a rock solid verse and chorus, the use of dynamics halfway through makes the song stand out, as the band drops to a whisper, Joanne solos over the top, gradually building in intensity through to the end. It’s a lesson some rock bands could learn from, itís all very well coming out all guns blazing, but where do you go when youíre already cranked up to eleven? Itís all to do with light and shade. As the set progresses, we get selections from her past catalogue, ìBonesì an old song from The Hoax that appeared on her debut album “White Sugar”, “Mud Honey” and “Outlaw Angel” from 2014’s “The Dirty Truth” and the slow blues of “Time Has Come”.

It’s on the latter that she really shines, not only is it showcase for her guitar chops, but also highlights her fine vocal delivery. I have seen written that she sounds like Janis Joplin, I wouldnít go that far, Janis had a lot more grit in her voice, Joanne’s pipes are more warm and husky and the way she slurs the words, at time it’s almost like she is talking in tongues, I couldnít understand the last verse at all, but it sure packed an emotional punch. All too soon “Going Home” brings the gig to an end, bar a one song encore insisted on by the crowd. A fitting end to Kyps for me, my only gripe being I wished she had donned her Les Paul more often, a Fender Tele doesn’t quite cut it for me tone wise in blues, unless you’re Albert Collins that is, but that’s just a personal opinion. As I left the vibes were positive and the merch stall was doing a brisk business, so the crowd went home happy. Oh, and before I forget, support tonight came from Darren Hodson on a sabbatical from his band, Southern Companion. His short set of original songs proved to be a worthy opener, definitely one to look out for as he regularly plays locally.

Set List
Dyin’ to Know
Nothing to Lose
No Reason to Stay
Jump That Train
Diamonds in the Dirt
Tried, Tested and True
Bones
Time Has Come
Mud Honey
Outlaw Angel
Tied and Bound
Going Home

Encore
Wrecking Ball

Links
http://www.joanneshawtaylor.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheSouthernCompanion/