This was a golden gig. A must see musical event for Memphis Soul and Blues lovers. The timeless tunes and enduring energy from the greats of the Memphis Soul scene was lovingly brought alive under the superb stage helmsmanship of Grammy award winning producer Boo Martin, who curated the show, introducing the acts.

Featuring members of the original Hi Rhythm Section, including brothers Reverend Charles Hodges on Hammond organ and bassist Leroy Hodges, with Archie “Hubbie” Turner on keys, to hear and witness these musical legends play was thrilling. Indeed, these legendary gents recorded with Al Green, Otis Clay, Ann Peebles as well as others, and were joined by Steve Potts on drums, Martin Shore on percussion, Boo Mitchell on keys (who also MC’d the evening), that completed this super solid musical soulful US outfit.

Stage right was Brits Nick Etwell on trumpet and Pete Gregan on tenor sax, with young emerging US guitarist Lina Beach front of stage. But for me the super thrill was seeing and hearing the special homegrown UK Blues award-winning artist Oli “Mississippi” McDonald on guitar centre stage. Fronting along with Beach, and backed by these USA musical greats, McDonald did his hometown proud, well appreciated by an international audience.

Opening with Lina and ‘Mississippi’ on ‘Bullshit’, this was followed by spellbinding US lead vocalist Jerome Chisholm putting his heart and soul into ‘Blind Crippled and Crazy’, as well as BB King classics, ‘The Thrill is Gone’, ‘Never Make a Move Too Soon’ and ‘Let’s Get Married’. Channelling Al Green, I loved all of his renditions and boy can he move and groove, given his zestful energetic performance.

The capacity crowd also loved New Orleans born, but London based Soul music singer, Acantha Lang, who also guested and shone on ‘Let’s Stay Together’. And just when you thought this show could not get any better, the iconic Carla Thomas arrived on stage. 82 years young, the Queen of Memphis Soul, deliciously cooked up in her own words, her “soul soup” with ‘Something Good’.

Chisholm then joined Thomas on stage for such fun, singing ‘Tramp’, before Carla’s classic hit and signature tune ‘B-A-B-Y’, that saw her well and truly reigning the stage. ‘Take Me To The River’ climaxed the show, with both McDonald and Thomas now taking centre stage, as the Barbican crowd stood up and danced. Indeed, a golden, most memorable gig.

Review and Photos: Denise Lester