FANZEYEVIEW
MARCUS BONFANTI BAND + SAM HARE @ O2 ACADEMY 2 ISLINGTON LONDON
The last night of the Marcus Bonfanti Band UK Tour reaches its climax in London at the O2 Academy 2 in Islington. At a packed venue both the headline and support act, Sam Hare, rose to the occasion of delivered a delicious treat for blues hungry fans.
Sam Hare was playing acoustic tonight and the crowd absorbed some wonderful Americana/blues songs mainly from his superb ‘Down To The Sea’cd including some of my favourites ‘ You Just Bring Me Water’, 'Homegrown Man’, and a scorching version of ‘Stealing From The Queen’. Sam also played ‘Down To Texas’ as a tribute to the very recent passing of legend Doyle Bramhall, the crowd, mainly seeing Sam for the first time, were extremely pleased as shown by the terrific ovation he received at the end of his
set.
Marcus Bonfanti had the crowd in the palm of his hand as soon as he and the band walked on stage, this was his night and the trio did not disappoint. In a set featuring no less than seven new songs coming from the forthcoming third cd release in February next year, they treated us to 90 minutes of musical joy.
Kicking off with new song ‘Cheap Whiskey’, the pace was set with 'Goin’ Down’, with songs in the main about girls and relationships, the lyrics are heartfelt and humorous , cocooned within awesome melodies that you just cannot help moving to.
Crowd favourite ‘Devil Girl’ got a great reception and Marcus and the crowd singing in unison, before we get lowdown and dirty with one of my favourites ’Now I’m Gone’ featuring a brilliant guitar solo and accompanying drums from Alex Reeves and bass with Scott Wiber.
After the first cd title track ‘Hard Times’ one of the strings on the ‘tele’ broke so the resonator finished off the rest of the evening with more new songs, ‘Honest Boy’ and ‘Alley Cat’. Only one cover tonight with Charlie Daniels Bands’ great song ‘Leave This Long Haired Country Boy Alone’, before finishing the main set with the fiery anti-tax anthem ‘Give Me Your Cash’
Marcus showed his stage skills to the highest tonight with humorous anecdotes, skilful guitar playing and deep low voice vocals that many of my female friends swoon over. Scott on the bass was his usual top quality self and Alex was again showing why he is such a great drummer, a perfect trio for a perfect evening which was finished off with a two song encore, both new.
Firstly Marcus unaccompanied played ‘The Bittersweet and then the band played 'Jezebel’.Cheers as they left the stage and as everyone gathered about with the musicians afterwards, there was a good an atmosphere as I have witnessed at any gig.
This was one of the best gigs of 2011 I have witnessed, I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the best the venue had played host to this year either.
Cheap Whiskey/Goin' Down/Will Not Play Your Game/My Baby Don't Dance/Devil Girl/Now I'm Gone/Hard Times/Honest Boy/Honey/Long Haired Country Boy/Alley Cat/Give Me Your Cash/The Bittersweet/Jezebel
©Fanzeyeview 2011
Sam Hare was playing acoustic tonight and the crowd absorbed some wonderful Americana/blues songs mainly from his superb ‘Down To The Sea’cd including some of my favourites ‘ You Just Bring Me Water’, 'Homegrown Man’, and a scorching version of ‘Stealing From The Queen’. Sam also played ‘Down To Texas’ as a tribute to the very recent passing of legend Doyle Bramhall, the crowd, mainly seeing Sam for the first time, were extremely pleased as shown by the terrific ovation he received at the end of his
set.
Marcus Bonfanti had the crowd in the palm of his hand as soon as he and the band walked on stage, this was his night and the trio did not disappoint. In a set featuring no less than seven new songs coming from the forthcoming third cd release in February next year, they treated us to 90 minutes of musical joy.
Kicking off with new song ‘Cheap Whiskey’, the pace was set with 'Goin’ Down’, with songs in the main about girls and relationships, the lyrics are heartfelt and humorous , cocooned within awesome melodies that you just cannot help moving to.
Crowd favourite ‘Devil Girl’ got a great reception and Marcus and the crowd singing in unison, before we get lowdown and dirty with one of my favourites ’Now I’m Gone’ featuring a brilliant guitar solo and accompanying drums from Alex Reeves and bass with Scott Wiber.
After the first cd title track ‘Hard Times’ one of the strings on the ‘tele’ broke so the resonator finished off the rest of the evening with more new songs, ‘Honest Boy’ and ‘Alley Cat’. Only one cover tonight with Charlie Daniels Bands’ great song ‘Leave This Long Haired Country Boy Alone’, before finishing the main set with the fiery anti-tax anthem ‘Give Me Your Cash’
Marcus showed his stage skills to the highest tonight with humorous anecdotes, skilful guitar playing and deep low voice vocals that many of my female friends swoon over. Scott on the bass was his usual top quality self and Alex was again showing why he is such a great drummer, a perfect trio for a perfect evening which was finished off with a two song encore, both new.
Firstly Marcus unaccompanied played ‘The Bittersweet and then the band played 'Jezebel’.Cheers as they left the stage and as everyone gathered about with the musicians afterwards, there was a good an atmosphere as I have witnessed at any gig.
This was one of the best gigs of 2011 I have witnessed, I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the best the venue had played host to this year either.
Cheap Whiskey/Goin' Down/Will Not Play Your Game/My Baby Don't Dance/Devil Girl/Now I'm Gone/Hard Times/Honest Boy/Honey/Long Haired Country Boy/Alley Cat/Give Me Your Cash/The Bittersweet/Jezebel
©Fanzeyeview 2011
