Ferris and Sylvester are one of those bands. That is to say, they seem like lovely people, but when they play, there’s a dark side.
Literally, in the case of their opener, “Dark Side,” which is both bluesy and primal.
Generally speaking, Issy and Archie (now both Sylvester) are rays of sunshine. “Better In Yellow” is a perfect example, but when they take things in a different direction, like on “Mother,” they are genuinely fragile.
Issy Ferris (her professional name) has sung in Wolverhampton before – on the football pitch up the road – but now she does it with the gorgeous harmonies of “Flying Visit.”
If that one is written from the point of view of a child, then the arguable highlight of their set, “Lucky Night,” is dedicated to their son, born prematurely on a trip to Nashville – which is surely his mum and dad’s spiritual home.
The pair met in the capital a decade ago, making music ever since, and they wrap it up with “London’s Blues.”
They’ve got everything going for them: superb playing, superb harmonies, and songs of warmth and class. Ferris and Sylvester are a joy.
Joanne Shaw Taylor is playing “Wanna Be My Lover.” Her solo is marvellous, and her smile envelopes her whole face.
She loves playing live – that’s always been obvious – but maybe even more so on her home turf.
She’d arrived with a cover – there are a few peppering the set – of Fleetwood Mac’s “Stop Messin’ Around,” and that has another superb solo, by the way (it’s probably best to assume they all do, so the review doesn’t get dull).
There’s a sense of fun about her too. “Hell Of A Good Time” is on her new album, the brilliant “Black And Gold,” and on stage there’s some good-time rock ’n’ roll. “Sweet Lil Lies” has it in spades.
There’s her usual Ted Talk before her take on Georgia Thunderbolts’ “Two Time My Lovin’” – thanks, Jo, but some of us would take second-hand loving at this point.
Live, JST and her superb band have a real energy. “Dyin’ To Know” crackles, and the way the bass helps “Wicked Soul” build to a crescendo is a mark of real skill.
More talkative on stage than ever before (“I told my manager to be careful what you wish for”), she explains her love of Kevin Costner before playing “Grayer Shade Of Blue.”
Taylor and her band are in total synergy, and they groove through the aforementioned “Look What I’ve Become.” The laid-back “Summertime” is a lovely, unexpected turn.
Her voice has improved so much over the years, and “Wild Is The Wind” is marvellous.
She finishes with the pair of “Black Magic” and, appropriately for where she is, a dip back to the early days for “Watch ’Em Burn.”
She’s back for an encore of “Change Of Heart” – “the only happy song I have,” she laughs – but here she leaves the stage to let the band have its moment in the spotlight. A moment they take with aplomb.
MV has been watching Joanne Shaw Taylor for a decade, and to watch her is to watch an artist really grow. Every time you see her, you almost forget how good she is – but it’s also fair to say that right now, she’s better than ever.
MAIN PIC: CHUD
JST PIC: HALEK GRUER
