Billed as a very special evening with Grammy-nominated global superstar, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and the legendary 91-years young, King of the Blues, Bobby Rush, support band The Mustangs played a too short set, who were so suited to this iconic large stage, and totally comfortable with the capacity crowd as they performed. Indeed, it was also a real pleasure to see Adam Norsworthy in his alter ego, away from The Milkman - a band that I also love. Lead vocalist, front man as well as playing his guitar with gusto, Norsworthy also engaged with the audience and shone as a great entertainer. Confident and chatting to the crowd, Adam modestly expressed the band’s collective joy at being there.

Although The Mustangs have been performing together for a long time, have a good back catalogue and their competence showed. Ben McKeown on bass and backing vocals, provided solid cohesion to the musicality of the set. He played with an assured stance, clearly enjoying the thrill of the venue. Jonathan Barley on backing vocals and drums, smiled in the background which was a pleasure to watch, while Nigel Feist, front row on harmonica, looked damned cool in his cloak listening intently, before joining in with an intensity of sound which made its musical mark.

A great set, The Mustangs included ‘I’ll Meet You Anytime’, ‘In Two Minds’, ‘Put Your Money on Me’, ‘Can’t Be Satisfied’, ‘In Need of You’, ‘Let it Roll’, ‘Double Headed Romeo’ and ‘Thunder in the Air’. Although I especially loved ‘In Need of You’ and ‘Let it Roll’! The crowd loved them, and frankly they were a great choice for tonight. Long may they roll!

48 year old Louisiana born world class Blues Rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is right up there with the current guitar gods. His extended solo on ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ not only proved it, but nailed it. But where KWS so musically scores is that he is also an outstanding band leader, complemented by outstanding individual musicians, each of them with substantial experience. Putting together their combined bios, makes for an enhanced pulse rate reading! So I pay respect to the experience that I had listening to and watching these uber talented guys, starting with Noah Hunt on lead vocals and guitar, who was so visually Rock ‘n’ Roll when holding and strutting his mic stand and Fender. Chris Layton on drums, solidly held the back row with Kevin McCormick nearby on bass, plus Joe Krown on keyboards and Hammond organ. The dynamic horn section of Doug Woolverton and Charlie DiPuma was also as tight and as powerful as could be.

The international capacity crowd, including one guy who had come all the way from New Zealand, drank up the set, with Shepherd playing intensely but modestly front of stage, allowing Hunt to shine on vocals. The set was long, but not long enough, including ‘Woman Like You’, ‘She Loves My Automobile’, ‘Dirt on My Diamonds’, ‘I Got a Woman’, ‘Watch You Go’, the so cool ‘Deja Voodoo’, 'Shame, Shame, Shame' and ‘Talk to Me Baby’.

Another highlight of this extraordinary gig saw Kenny invite up onto the stage teenager Rhys John Stygal, of whom KWS said that he had watched him before on the web and then spotted him in the front row with his Mum! What a thrill it was for him to play unprepared, with just Layton on drums and McCormick on bass to accompany him. With KWS to his enormous credit, recognising Stygal’s talent, Rhys did not show any nerves and he has a great future.

But what I also loved so much about tonight was that Shepherd is such a selfless, great man and musician, to not only take on tour with his fabulous band, the legendary Bobby Rush, but also to allow Rush to come on and steal tonight's show with his mini-set! Indeed, Bobby’s set was a gig within a gig, a set within a set and boy what a set, including ‘Long Way from Home’, ‘40 Acres (How Long)’, ‘You So Fine’, ‘Uncle Esau’ and ‘Who Was That’.

At 91 years young, this iconic, energetic King of the Blues, and undisputed international US maestro of the Mississippi sax, reigned on stage. Rush exuded showmanship in his spangled jacket and sprightly age defying performance, coming up real close to the edge of the stage, leaning into the audience and saying that he still thinks of himself as 22! Indeed, Bobby loves, lives and breathes the proper old school authentic Blues.

Flirting with the ladies - Rush called out to them – and then sang, blew his harp, totally enchanting and captivating the crowd. As his harmonica playing and vocals rushed to my soul, straining to see him through the crowd, I shouted “Bobby we love you”, completely losing my cool. Rush looked across and I saw his eyes and his soul. Man that man is an old soul. And I got the images too! Bobby live long, reign long and sing and play and sing along!

Kenny Wayne then closed out with 'While We Cry' and Slim Harpo's 'I'm A King Bee', followed by an encore of ‘Blue on Black’, plus an astonishing guitar solo from Shepherd on ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)', before Kenny’s band plus Bobby came back on stage to take their deserved bows. Kenny Wayne Shepherd I loved your band, show and brand of the Blues! I will be back for more.

Review and Photos: Denise Lester