Wednesday 23 May 2018

Hans Theessink & Brooks Williams, Edinburgh Blues Club, Voodoo Rooms

Support came from Fifer Al Hughes, a stalwart of the Scottish blues scene.  Some classic songs, some of this own, in a well balanced set.  He's got a pleasantly gravelly voice, and solid blues guitar technique, never flashy but consistently enjoyable.  Hughes has a few stories to tell and had some funny lines in his introductions.  He's no mean songwriter either, standouts including the amusement of Dancing With Big Susie and the catchiness of Eddie Walker's Rag.  An entertaining start to the evening.

As a parting shot Hughes confessed that, after hearing the sound check, he'd been "shitting myself" to think his guitar playing would be compared with what was to follow.  He certainly had no need to think that, but it's equally true that gulf in talent was clearly huge.  Theessink and Williams look like they had guitars in their hands before they could walk, and playing comes as naturally as breathing.  Although the two had known each other for several years, they'd never played together until this tour.  One night of practice before they went on the road was enough to confirm that their experience, mutual love and knowledge of the blues, and deep respect for one another made playing together feel instinctive.

Dutchman Theessink has been playing the blues for around half a century and has played with many of the great names of the genre.  Williams comes from Georgia where the music was a part of his upbringing.  Both are in the top flight of guitarists in the world, and are excellent singers, Williams smooth and mellow, Theessink deep and penetrating, and they combine to great effect.

They played 2 sets, taking it in turn to introduce the songs and lead on vocals, but with constant interplay from the instruments in their hands.  Brooks played a conventional guitar, a steel bodied instrument, and the weirdly wonderful 3 string cigar box guitar.  Hans played some 12 string as well as 6, plus a bit of mandolin and harmonica.  No matter which of them was playing the lead the other would be adding far more than simple chords, with constant hand movements adding fills and embellishments that enhanced the main theme, both adding in slide guitar when needed.  Inventive, smart and empathetic, this was guitar playing at it's best.  Theessink playing more of a classic blues style, Williams adding some country influences from his background in the southern states, both happy to adapt to ragtime or rock inputs.

Williams, I already knew, is also a great songwriter, and the night featured several of his compositions, Gambling Man and Here Comes The Blues amongst the best.  Theessink can select material from a vast back catalogue and gave a wonderful renditions of Walkin' The Dog and The Glory Of Love.  Both were happy to encourage an enthusiastic audience to join in on the simpler choruses.  And, beyond the virtuosity, that's a pointer to what made this such an outstanding gig.  Both men have warm, engaging stage personas, the American a natural raconteur, the Dutchman's pleasantly accented English revealing a dry wit behind the twinkling eyes.  And they were clearly having a real fun time, each enjoying the other's playing.  A joy to watch, listen to, and join in with.  If you get a chance to see them together then grab it.  But neither on their own could possibly disappoint either.




No comments:

Post a Comment