Blues, soul and rock and roll
The blues has a well established lexicon making it instantly recognisable to nearly every ear. It is, therefore, somewhat of a challenge to have your own distinct language when using these tools, especially when people already have certain expectations. Fortunately, Simon McBride is a hugely expressive and intense player and he certainly makes his mark over the course of this short set.
Prior to McBride's set we were entertained with some proper rawk n' roll courtesy of three young men and a, um, er more experienced chap up front. Kinkade are such good fun that you forget that this is London and no-one is meant to express joy, but smiley faces are to be found all around the Underworld tonight. As they drawled "these are simple songs as we're simple people" 'nuff said.
Our headlining Irishman is open to a number of reductive national comparisons as hints of Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and Van Morrison shine through in his performance. However, reports of any Mr. Tayto influences were unconfirmed as this was published. For all the moaning that various Dads do up and down the country about the passing of the lead guitarist there definitely seems to be plenty of guys operating in this idiom. There are older guys like Vai, Satriani and Warren Haynes still doing their thing, younger models like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Derek Trucks and now our very own face-pulling guitar wrangler in McBride is coming to prominence.
The set opens with three bluesy numbers with plenty of slide and vintage grooves. 'Down to the River' in particular catches the ear with the sounds of early Jimi Hendrix Experience being spliced with a post-Cream Clapton song. 'Change' continues in this vein with some added funk from the squelching organ backing track and reminds me of the Gov't Mule tune 'High and Mighty' with McBride's rough, whiskeyed voice prominent. 'Rich Man Falling' rocks hard and the crunchy guitar riff is suitably lithe. We get a quick piss-taking snippet of 'Brown Eyed Girl' before the sweet ballad of 'Sweet Angel' from McBride's most recent long-player "Since Then". After a few more numbers of sepia tinged seventies style rock the band take a breather before the encore. There are plenty of youtube videos of McBride stretching out on 'Little Wing' but tonight he ends on the Band of Gypsys' funk-soul tune 'Power of Soul' - a fitting end to a rose tinted but vital evening of rock and roll.