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God knows, we’d waited long enough here in ‘ole blighty for this show! The news is - you should have been there! We
arrived at Northampton’s splendid Derngate expecting to be treated to most of the Isley’s 2003 R Kelly written, arranged and produced ‘Body Kiss’ album. Instead, we were treated to a night of dazzling
entertainment, showmanship and nostalgia
Acoustic trio The Projects kicked off proceedings with just four songs. Featuring the vocal talents of Mr David Lynden Hall and rapper Me Too, the band’s mix of
r’n’b and hip hop flavas was greeted with modest applause by the house’s somewhat eclectic audience.
Enter Isleys. Would you believe an eight-piece band - drums, bass, guitar, three keyboards, sax, and
percussionist - five mighty fine dancers together with the two brothers? Ernie leads the introduction in full throttle fuzz fender-wah mode. Wo!
Ronald strolls on in an immaculate white knee length jacket and
trousers carrying his signature cane. The set is a highly crafted selection of Isley hits and favourites spanning the decades from the late 50’s (1959’s ‘Shout’) right through to the mid-80s. Sadly, there is
nothing from the band’s stunning new album. Many of the songs fly in back-to-back. Spotting the join is virtually impossible as the crowd is left wondering ‘where will they go next?’
The highlights are
many and varied: Ernie’s solo in third song ‘That Lady’ follows the mellifluous tones of the recorded version, thirty years back - simply awesome. Applying his considerable repertoire of Hendrixesque stage
techniques, plucking strings with his teeth and swinging his strat behind his back. There's an extended solo on ‘Summer Breeze’ which is just mental.
Ronald’s voice is as sweet as ever, without doubt,
his voice is one of the greatest, the world will ever hear. He sings and he talks to the audience throughout the show charting the history of the band from his early Motown days right through to its schmaltzy mid
70’s and 80’s ‘lurve’ records for courting couples. Ron jokes “I was in the bed with you too!”
Anyone with an interest in great songs, great showmanship and rapid costume changes should see this
show! There has just got to be a ‘next time’
Set list: Between the sheets: Footsteps in the dark: That lady: It’s your thing: Twist and shout: This ‘ole heart of mine: Lay lady lay: Don’t say
goodbye: Groove with you: Hello, it’s me: You’re all I need: Choosy Lover: Old Skool medley inc. Caravan of Love: Shout: Voyage to Atlantis: Summer Breeze: Drive me crazy: Fight the power; [Encore: For the love
of you].
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