Elder statesmen fly with blues
What looked like a showcase for the faces behind a lot of mature FM radio hits was actually a rare glimpse of some of the best players in the music business.
Rhythm and blues was the lifeblood linking this triple treat comprising one of rock's great drummers (Mick Fleetwood), arguably its finest blue-eyed soul artist (Michael McDonald) and an adult pop practitioner with a pedigree far deeper than many suspect (Boz Scaggs).
Fleetwood, the venerable giant with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, started things by paying tribute to his roots in the British blues boom with a set that included Fleetwood Mac classics such as a gloriously authentic-sounding Black Magic Woman and Albatross.
What made his Blues Band an unheralded sensation was Mac alumni Rick Vito, surely one of America's finest guitarists, whose shimmering slide guitar and bluesy vocals made the quartet's set an event in itself.
While Fleetwood thumped the kit and mugged enthusiastically, Vito set the place on fire, especially in Love That Burns, when he bypassed the microphone to sing directly to the crowd.
Watching Michael McDonald, you're struck by qualities that lots of contemporary musicians leave at the door.
He pours endless amounts of soul and passion into his music, whether it's bright and funky stuff like What a Fool Believes, which got them dancing in the aisles, or ballads with worrying levels of heartache like I Keep Forgettin'.
The yearning in a lot of Motown is a natural fit for this guy, so familiar favourites like Heard It Through the Grapevine and Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing regain freshness. Happily though, the St Louis native focused on his solo and Doobie Brothers material, which was carried brilliantly by his crack six-piece band and back-up vocalist through to a rousing gospel-style finale in Takin' It to the Streets.
Scaggs, accompanied by yet another group of hand-picked American musicians, was a contrast in style.
Mention his name and many think of disco-era celebrations, but he has matured and mellowed into a masterful purveyor of mellow funk and jazz, as well as blues.
The introductory Jojo was just elegant perfection that could have stopped on a dime.
It was like being escorted in slow-cruising musical Cadillac carrying supple, sumptuous grooves and steered by Scaggs' distinctive mellow warble.
Lowdown came halfway through and as the band took solo turns, it was easy to reflect on a night of deep-seated luxury that was warmly appreciated by the moderate-sized crowd.
REVIEW Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band. Westpac Arena Christchurch, Wednesday March 3 7pm. Reviewed by Alistair Armstrong.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Comment on this review below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Awesome musicians, however found the Napier venue of a sports stadium disappointing from a seating and acoustics viewpoint. Please make sure we give visiting icons and their audiences a fair deal.
I enjoyed the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band very much. The whole band was excellent and Rick Vito's playing and singing were superb - it was as if Peter Green himself had returned. I knew Mick was big but didn't realise he was that tall and I've never seen a drum kit so badly butalised before either! You can only appreciate the impact his drumming has had on the Fleetwood Mac sound when see and hear him playing live. Michael McDonald was OK, bit samey for my taste and I've heard better renditions of 'Grapevine' but he's got a good voice. Boz was all class, great playing and singing, fantastic band and a big thank you for 'Loan Me A Dime' from a long time fan.
Over the last few decades I often hear people mention singers, bands ETC should quit before they get old (RE rolling stones).And I have always thought what a load of %$^#.The body may grow older but the rock music spirit lives for ever.This concert was just more evidence of that.If anyone in the north island is still deciding whether to go to the concert up there...I say go go go.I came out the concert wanting to build a gothic looking building in CHCH that plays rock , blues ETC 24 / 7 ( a kinda church of rockin blues LOL ) ; )
My friend and I had a great time last night at the concert, a really top line up. The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band were fabulous and like the other comments, I could have listened to them all night. Looking forward to John Mayall as well and The Old Crow Medicine Show for something completely different
Awesome night awash with rich blues and soul. Every act a treasure to be savoured. Amazing top quality and passionate musicians. Concert of the year!!!
I agree, Mick Fleetwood and his talented musicians was an absolute pleasure and I would have loved a whole evening devoted to them.Watching him lead whilst banging those drums mezmerised me at times. Throughout the night there was some amazing musicianship , all 3 lead guitarist were great and yet very diverse in their playing. I'm a blues girl and find it very hard to get my fix in Christchurch,and only really went along for Mick Fleetwood.However I was pleasently surprised at how much I enjoyed Mike McDonald and the last number Bozz Scagg did really left me wanting more! I too am lookng forward to April 23 and John Mayall, it's so good to have the blues coming to Christchurch !
Sue
Mick Fleetwood at his best with that unusual drumming style just tore up the place, could have spent all night listening to the old Fleetwood Mac revival, and could just picture Jeremy Spencer and Peter Green on stage during Albatross and some of the older numbers. Rick Vito is such a talented musician in his own right. Not a Doobie Bros fan but Michael was just right there with his vocals and with a very tight band and vocalist. Boz Scaggs just sums it up for the blues / jazz combination and brings alive the early era of the New Orleans blues that crept into the Uk scene in the early 60s and 70s that inspired Clapton, Eric Burdon and the likes.
What more can I say, I am just looking forward to the John Mayall (daddy of Blues) concert next month.
DaveB
Surgery leaves Adele's voice intact
TV show host's jibes 'helped Rimes'
Elton John fears for 'stigmatised' son
Grammys could be full of surprises
Police recapture Madonna stalker
Grammy spotlight shines on Adele
Naomi Watts to play Princess Diana
Del Rey 'doesn't deserve haters'
O'Connor tempted to bare too much
CERA report prompts mall evacuation
Ussher wins fifth Coast to Coast title
Gardener's paradise planned for Chch
Go-ahead limited to urban Kaiapoi
Quake city assets set to be popular
Civic spirit helps Lyttelton rebuild
City needs cohesive leadership
Sexual attacker helped woman shift
Woman's death lifts earthquake toll to 185
10,000 aftershocks and still no end in sight
Police U-turn on speeding tolerance
Great white no danger - dive firm owner
CERA report prompts mall evacuation
Ussher wins fifth Coast to Coast title
Reflections on quake anniversary
Gardener's paradise planned for Chch
Beer with us, we've found a new home
Quake city assets set to be popular
CERA report prompts mall evacuation
Reflections on quake anniversary
Shake-up heading in EQC's direction
Row over breastfeeding advertisement is unfortunate
Coast to Coast racers hit finish line
I note the cooent that it was like Peter Green being there - I was unfortunate enough to pay good money to see Green in Sydney recently - he was shocking! The man is either unable or disinclined to speak to the crown, his playing was extremely poor- in summary he was a broken down old man who should go back to his room. By comparison a concert by John Mayall earlier in the same week was amazing - Mayall enchanted all evening.