Joanne Shaw Taylor brought a storm of eclectic blues infused flavours to her only Scottish show at Glasgow, igniting the stage with her fiery guitar riffs and soulful vocals. As the lights dimmed and the crowd’s anticipation grew, Taylor emerged with an electric presence, ready to deliver a performance that would resonate long after the final chord had faded.
Words: Colin Campbell Pictures: Ian Potter
From the moment she launched into her opening number, I’m In The Mood, Taylor’s virtuosity on the guitar was evident. Her fingers danced across the strings with precision and passion, effortlessly weaving intricate melodies and blistering solos that captivated the audience from start to finish. Backed by a tight-knit band that provided a solid foundation for her explosive guitar work, Taylor commanded the stage with confidence and charisma. Keep On Loving Me was delivered with her smoky gritty vocals and groove infected rhythm section took this song to the stratosphere of audience connection and anticipation. A particular highlight was her rendition of If You Gotta Make A Fool. Full on blues ballad, vocals soared through the venue, crystal clear on this number and throughout the mixed set.
One of the highlights of the evening was Taylor’s ability to effortlessly transition between heart-wrenching ballads and high-energy anthems. Tracks like Won’t Be Fooled Again and Diamonds In The Dirt showcased her soulful vocals, which soared with emotion and vulnerability, while songs like Bad Love and Dyin’ to Know unleashed her raw power and intensity, leaving the audience spellbound and rapt at such a spectacle. She even road tested a song from her forthcoming album, her rendition of Wild Love is catchy upbeat and riff laden, even anthemic in the chorus line and the band’s energy was palpable. Sweet Lil Lies another new tune, has a wonderful hook line and infectious groove, drum, and bass in synchronicity throughout, very uplifting tune. But perhaps the most memorable moments of the night came during Taylor’s electrifying guitar solos, which seemed to defy the laws of physics as she pushed the limits of what seemed possible on the instrument. Whether she was shredding through blistering blues licks or channeling the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll legends, Taylor’s mastery of the guitar left jaws on the floor and hands in the air.
Throughout the evening, Taylor’s connection with the audience was palpable. She shared stories and anecdotes between songs, inviting the crowd into her world and creating a sense of intimacy in this large venue. By the time she closed the show with an explosive encore a fantastic powerful version of Going Home that left the audience cheering for more, it was clear that Joanne Shaw Taylor had not only delivered a memorable performance but had also solidified her status as one of the most electrifying talents internationally. In a musical landscape often dominated by trends and gimmicks, Joanne Shaw Taylor stands as a beacon of authenticity and talent. Her performance here was a testament to the enduring power of live music and a reminder of the timeless allure of the blues. As the final notes were sounded the crowd erupted into applause, it was evident that Joanne Shaw Taylor’s legacy would continue to resonate for years to come. A consummate performance, wonderful set, class live act, go and see them.
Connor Selby provided the aperitif for the main menu with an excellent solo set of six songs all played on his “semi” acoustic guitar. A relaxed and laid-back set, he was sitting on a chair onstage and mesmerised an appreciative audience with his original songs. Vocally his range is on the tenor timbre, starting with Falling In Love Again then The Deep End a particularly poignant tune. Highlight tune was, The Truth Comes Out Eventually, just filled the venue with sweet intoxicating notes and laid-back vocals, lovely ballad full of emotion. That’s Alright, one of his earlier crafted tunes had a raw intensity, some fine playing here. Love Letter To The Blues was a gorgeous arrangement accentuating the tone of his guitar underlying the storytelling. Finishing with another original, Emily a rockier blues number, this was a great performance, a real talent worth all the accolades he is receiving.
