27/11/2014 | Ian Siegal & Jimbo Mathus | Review by Liz Aiken |
The Flowerpot was packed and there was a buzz of excited anticipation for this twosome to step on stage and begin all the positive comments they have received on this tour meant we all want to hear the music for ourselves. The evening opened with Ian's favourite warm-up number from The Dust Silver Spurs which got the hands warmed and the feet tapping in preparation for what turned-out to be a truly rip-roaring set of pure Siegal with a little bit extra from the man from Mississippi Jimbo Mathus. They met at a festival in U.S.A at North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic out of which Ian's latest album was born Picnic Sessions.
They alternated a set full of nuggets as they flew solo and supported each other with harmonies and accompanying each other on guitar, or mandolin, harp and tambourine supplied by Jimbo. Tonight was more than the music with many tracks from Ian's latest album Picnic Sessions, on which Jimbo played as well as his latest album Dark Night Of The Soul. It was also the informative, funny and delightful chit-chat and verbal interaction between them this was entertainment of so many levels; from left, right and centre stage!
Heavenly Houseboat Blues was full of fun lyrics and some heavenly slide from Jimbo, their voices really hit it off with the harmonising and the complimentary tones adding layers of sound and textures. Everyone enjoyed the tale of Ian being called overseas and how Talkin' Overseas Pirate Blues was born certainly a song that is short but memorable, using the Woody Guthrie style talking blues with the addition of the mandolin we went from pirates of the high sea onto outlaws of the Wild West with Jesse James.
It was so interesting to hear about Mississippi and the tales that inform the lyrics with Turkey Buzzard a different bird creeping into the set and Tallahatchie a traditional Indian name that is the roots in the Mississippi landscape. Then the contrast of a traditional British song with the crowds joining in with a favourite with the crowds Mary Don't You Weep' crowds in the East Midlands expect this to be included in any set Ian delivers.
The Fear and Gallo Del Ciello were my highlights from Ian and definitely they compete, which is my favourite. This was an evening full of blues, a smidgen of country, lots of charm and storytelling of the highest order all too soon the evening was drawing to an end the encore was superb and unexpectedly the evening drew to the close with Dirty Ole Town and some hearty audience participation. Ian, Jimbo and guitars came to Derby and entertained us from the first to the last note blues can be such musical fun when delivered with confidence, feeling and a twist if that devil magic.