Live

Jeff Beck & Imelda May Indig02 21/09/09

I first came across Imelda May five years ago at a Flash Monkey burlesque evening at the cafe de Paris. I knew instantly this girl was going places so it's nice to see this intriguing singer developing in to a bigger star and proving me right, BUT the Indig02 is a large ampitheatre, how would she fair in this modern cavernous dungeon?

Huge theatres are not for the feint hearted. May had come to prominence on Jools Holland's 'Later' but that's a small studio in comparison. The stakes were high tonight as she was playing with rock royalty...

Introducing the evening was Mr Urbane himself, the genial Harvey Goldsmith who is masterminding Jeff Beck's comeback and also helping to bring Imelda into the limelight. So starting solo, her soulful rockabilly seemed to slightly bemuse the audience as most were there to pay homage to the rock legend. Not an easy gig for the wee girl! The opening few numbers were all very pleasant but it would not have sustained a whole evening without that special guest as back up. It's a tough one... her sound is suited to sweaty clubs. The band got a bit lost in the vast auditorium. Imelda convivial as she is will have to bring to the table oodles of love and charm to the audience if she wants her stage presence to go strataspheric! Work it a bit more girl!!

Even Jeff Beck had to warm up the audience with chat before and after each number but this draws you into his world and you get on his side. The guy knows how to put a show on. It's not just enough to have raw talent. You have to draw them slowly in and then you've got them for the night.

Beck played his ass off, the master of tone and evocative dexterity. JB's notes ring like a bell and like any true master, with just a few notes twanged, you can identify the player. He's never stuck to one genre either. Many were there for his Yardbird's blues connection, others for his Jazz rock fusion and many because he's simply a guitar hero (and on the new gaming console too!)

He treated his fans to a mixed musical jamboree that included The Shadow's 'Apache', Mancini's 'Peter Gunn', Booker T's 'Green Onions' and a a stunning version of 'Lilac Wine' beautifully sung by Imelda who hit all the Jeff Buckley coda notes effortlessly. This song really showed the audience why Jeff B loves this girl and enjoys playing with her tight little unit of a band propelled by drummer Steve Rushton who lapped up all cues on sight and never missed a beat.

Beck changed his guitar what seemed like every number. There must have been half a million quids worth! His creamy white strat is still my favourite. I particularly enjoyed the duo vignettes he did with his keyboardist Jason Rebello. The classic, 'Because We Parted As Lovers' was a perfect slice of haunting beauty poised and graceful but all too short. It was a bit rich the way JB switched from the sublime to the riduculous but hey! He's Jeff Beck Guitar God and he can do what the f**k he wants...........

Talking about Guitar gods, Jeff rather inadvertantly let the cat out of the bag by announcing Jimmy Page was in the audience. The crowd went ballistic and were screaming for Page to get up and join him. Beck sensing his colleague's reserve told the, by now over excited, salivating mob, it was not a viable possibility and diffused matters by saying "he's too chicken to get up anyway ladies and gentlemen!" Now that shows a sense of humour that can be missing in way too serious a super god (check out Beck cheekily blowing Clapton into the rushes on his Live at Ronnie's dvd,hilarious!!)

The marriage of the two definately worked, Beck was rock n'roll toast master with mistress Imelda his perfect female folly, which was very much prevalent in their rendition of 'Cry Me A River'. A breath taking rendition that really showcased how good Imelda exactly is. She had began to relax and communicate with the audience more and in doing so won over new fans. This was a clever pairing and a great night had. By and large the evening had worked but those boots were meant for walking Jeff, really! You don't want Trinnie and Susannah coming after you!

All photos care of Romain Kedochim. For more visit ROMAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Words Emrys Baird