Review ScrollerEvery time I visit The Half Moon the evening starts out with something a bit surreal. This time it was a Scottish musician at the bar asking for a pint of the weakest bitter they had. And before I get complaints, I’m Scottish and I’m allowed to make those jokes; it’s called self-deprecation apparently. The headliner this time was Lisa Mann from West Virginia via Portland, Oregon on her first UK tour supported by (fairly) new kid on the block Katie Bradley, each offering their own their own particular take on twenty-first century blues and its offshoots.

Katie’s band kicked off with a statement of intent, a storming version of the Jimmy Reed classic “Baby What You Want Me to Do”. With two lead guitars, one fairly clean and jazzy and the other over-driven and rocky plus Katie’s harmonica, there was plenty of variety throughout the set. Although Katie’s the lead singer, the vocals were shared with the two guitarists as the band ran through a set of slow blues, jazzy blues and funky blues that included the BB King classic “Thrill is Gone” and lovely duet of “Tennessee Whiskey”. Any headline act would be grateful for a support that warmed the audience up as thoroughly as this.

What strikes you immediately as Lisa Mann and the band take the stage is the contrast between the giant Dudley Ross making his Telecasters look like toys and the petite Lisa Mann with a six-string bass slung John Lee Hooker-style over the right shoulder. The band line-up highlighted a slightly different emphasis after the mainly blues-based opening set. The combination of Dudley Ross’s crisp clean guitar and Steve Watts’s keys created a soulful sound more in the vein of Stax than Chess, offering the perfect complement to Lisa’s powerful vocals and melodic basslines.

The ninety-minute set took in blues, funk, soul and even had a jazz-funk interlude to allow Steve Watts a chance to shine, and showcased excellent songs from Lisa’s five albums including “Doghouse”, “Big Long List” and the closer “Hard Times, Bad Decisions”. The playing was spot on throughout, making it easy to forget that the band had very little rehearsal time together before the start of the tour; only the very good ones can do that and make it look so effortless. Let’s hope it’s not too long before Lisa Mann’s back in the UK again.

You can see some photos from the gig here.

Lisa Mann ScrollerHere’s an interesting one for UK blues aficionados. Lisa Mann, blues singer and bass player, is about to start her first UK tour. She’s been winning awards across the pond for a few years now and she’s touring the UK in support of her latest album, “Move On”. She combines sinuous, funky bass with a powerful, earthy voice that works perfectly for blues ballads, stompers and Motown/Stax soul. She’ll be backed on the tour by Dudley Ross (guitar), Steve Watts (keys) and John Sam (drums).

Like the sound of that? You can see her here:

07/07/16              Worthing Pier’s Southern Pavilion

08/07/16              The Convent, Stroud

09/07/16              The Astor Community Theatre, Deal

10/07/16              The New Crown, Merthyr Tydfil

11/07/16              The Iron Road, Evesham

14/07/16              The Half Moon, Putney

15/07/16              Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

16/07/16              Pizza Express Music Lounge, Maidstone

17/07/16              The Tunnels, Bristol

Here’s a superb clip to whet your appetite: