One of the hottest tickets on the live circuit now is for the brilliant blues rockers King King, and a sold-out crowd from far and wide gathered at The Live Rooms on Saturday (November 26) to prove the point, as Alan Nimmo and band returned for a truly triumphant evening.
Opening up the show were Broken Witt Rebels, a swaggering, most confident young four-piece hailing from Birmingham comprising Danny Core (lead vocals and guitar), James Tranter (lead guitar), Luke Davis (bass) and James Dudley (drums).
The Rebels stormed through a cracking 40-minute set which received a well-merited rousing reception from the packed house. Highlights were the opening Low from the band's Georgia Pine EP, with its thunderous riffing and Core's monster of a voice; also the title cut of Georgia Pine and the strutting Guns.
This band bring something a little different to the table. They certainly rock hard, but the music to these ears contains elements of the The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Big Country and more. Watch out for them.
With most of the King King tour rescheduled due to Alan Nimmo's recent throat surgery, the 'big man' was quick to point out that reports he 'was 100%' were not correct, but he and the multi award-winning band delivered a stunning 90 minutes in support of the recently released live album and DVD, and the voice held out.
Along with Nimmo's most soulful voice and superb guitar, the band comprise Bob Fridzema (Hammond organ and piano), Lindsay Coulson (bass) and Wayne Proctor (drums).
An 11-song set comprised many favourites, highlights being the blues shuffle of The Fabulous Thunderbirds number Wait On Time; the achingly beautiful A Long History Of Love, which I first saw debuted at Telford's Warehouse, and Frankie Miller's Jealousy, a ballad of the highest order.
Possibly best of all on the evening was the closing number, the brooding Stranger To Love – a Free-influenced tune complete with soaring guitar from Nimmo and embellished by the glorious keyboard work of Rotterdam's own, Bob Fridzema.
The rapturous crowd were sent on their way home with an encore – the up-tempo, soul-tinged bounce of Let Love In.
A special mention must go to the crowd, who created a tremendous buzz that must have lifted both bands.
It is truly a wonderful thing to see a 450-capacity room packed out. A most memorable evening without doubt.
