Dave here, still buzzing from “Blue Spirits”. We delight in them every time they come, but this time: John Etheridge, Pete Whittaker and George Double were in an intense and happy mood. It was special. A favourite? Difficult, but I know “Soul Eyes” and this band’s rendition was a knockout.
Steve loved it too, and provided words and the setlist.
Take care,
Dave
I know this is getting to be a regular thing but WOW! Of the three occasions when I have seen the Blue Spirits Trio, that had to be the very best. John was on great form musically, but a special mention must go to Pete Whittaker for his performance on organ which added a whole new layer to the sound of John’s guitar and created a beautiful and exhilarating wall of sound effect together with George Double’s drumwork. A lot of people (a lot, was it 100?) went home very happy and I heard one lady enthusing during the interval queue for CDs saying that it was her first time at Fleece Jazz and that she wants to come back for the Jazz Africa gig.
Stand out moment for me was the heart-wrenching encore “Little Wing” – a truly emotional performance with which to round off the evening.
John Etheridge’s “Blue Spirits” 14th February 2024
- Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)
- You Don’t Know Me (Eddy Arnold/Cindy Walker) Best known by Ray Charles’ version
- Fungii Mama (Blue Mitchell)
- The Stars Apart (John Etheridge)
- Cold, Cold Heart (Hank Williams)
- Distant Voice (John Etheridge)
* * * * * * *
- God Bless The Child (Billie Holliday & Arthur Herzog Junior) Solo guitar performance by John Etheridge
- Secret Love (Sammy Fain/Paul Francis Webster) Best known by Doris Day’s version from Calamity Jane, later covered by Kathy Kirby
- Soul Eyes (Mal Waldron )
- Do Like Eddie (John Scofield) Dedicated to Eddie Harris
- Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers (Stevie Wonder) Best known by Jeff Beck’s performance on ‘Blow by Blow’ but also performed by Syreeta on ‘Stevie Wonder presents Syreeta
- First Moves (Sonny Rollins)
- Encore: Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix)