SWX Bristol is adorned with an audience of all ages, including a healthy dose of suit wearing gents all eagerly awaiting a night of vintage rhythm and blues.
Supporting California’s Vintage Trouble is guitarist and singer Laurence Jones. The unassuming yet stylishly attired young one earned his stripes on tour with legends Walter Trout and Wishbone Ash and is here to start the party with his unique style of blues-rock.
He warms throughout his set, as does the crowd, including a dad-pleasing version of Clapton’s Cocaine, during which he shows a jaw dropping resemblance to Slowhand’s style.
In his half-hour set he gives us a taste of his blues chart-topping album Take Me High; between the fun rapport he has with his bassist and drummer and the endearing school boy cheekiness, he has the crowd fully won over.
On to the main event and what a party this is. The suave Sam Cooke / James Brown hybrid that is Ty Taylor commands attention from every word. Finally, everyone gets to boogie like they came to. The funky rhythms with classic rock ‘n’ soul in ‘Blues Hand Me Down’ ‘Pelvis Pusher’ and ‘Run Baby Run’ has the floor to the rafters grooving to the self-described ‘dirty mouth’d, straight-shootin’ juke music.’ All at once, the crowd are swaying in unison like an ocean wave and what a beautiful sight.
Seemingly unable to contain himself, Ty bounds through the crowd manifesting on a balcony, before crowd surfing back to his home in the spotlight. Saying this man is energetic is the understatement of the century. His old school showmanship includes inter-song anecdotes encouraging people to talk to their neighbour, love each other and come together as one. ‘Don’t you all feel better?’ he says during Not Alright By Me, a song about the state of the current world.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of this band live, you’re missing out. If you have and you didn’t enjoy it, you must be crazy. Here is a class act without being a nostalgia show and more people should know about it. Next time the band is in town, go and see them, spread the love and tell all of your friends.
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