MUSIC

The Prom, Bristol (Fri 17 Feb)

Lately, alto sax player James Morton’s career’s demanded stints in London, but they never stop him regularly returning to please his many local fans. For this gig he’s paired with Porkchop bandmate Denny Ilett’s guitar, Andy Nowak providing Hammond organ (and left-hand bass) and Scott Hammond drumming. The focus is on the blues, albeit with a fair dose of funk, and the initially lightly crowded Prom feels appreciative but under-responsive. What is clear is that Morton and Ilett know each other musically to an astonishing degree and neither is about to upstage the other. With Hammond laying down uncluttered groove and Nowak’s bubbling keyboards filling out the rhythm, the two frontmen take it out to Chicago, Ilett’s Buddy Guy articulations impeccably phrased, Morton’s reed rejoinders having the forceful bite of Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson at his best. As the crowd builds so does the musical energy, with Morton’s trademark originals ‘The Hump’ and ‘Forgiven’ flavoured with New Orleans funk and Detroit soul respectively. It’s as good as this line-up should be – and that’s pretty damn good – and certainly good enough to get things happy and people even dancing. It’s exactly what the fans want, but you can’t help but hope Morton’s got some new projects down the line to let him really stretch out once more. (Tony Benjamin)

Copyright Tony Benjamin 2012