Steve Winwood 24/3/07

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   Steve Winwood at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK 24/3/2007

When we found out ex-Traffic, Spencer Davis Group and Blind Faith legend Steve Winwood was playing in Nottingham the same night as England faced Israel in a Euro football qualifier we had a dilemma. It was Mr Fantasy (Winwood) versus Mr Depressingly Uninspired (Steve McLaren) for the night's entertainment.

It was a contest with only one possible winner, so while England laboured to a predictable bore-draw we were treated to two hours of well-chosen and hugely enjoyable selections from Winwood's 40-year plus career.

Arriving at the standing-only venue spirits were instantly raised by the sight of a Hammond B3 on stage. It looked like your granny's old sideboard but proved to sound like sweet, poetic music to an ageing rocker's ears.

Playing to a packed and enthusiastic crowd, Winwood plundered his peerless back catalogue to play Traffic's art rock (The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Mr Fantasy), Spencer Davis' R&B (Keep On Running, Gimme Some Lovin') and some 80s hits(Back In The High Life and Higher Love).

There was a definite split in the audience with the Winwood-lite 80s material getting major applause from one section, but I think the rest of us managed to outshout them in response to the rockier 60s/70s stuff. 

The two points where the show really took off were a lengthy, bluesy instrumental which featured some extended and truly smokin' Hammond work from Winwood. He then donned a guitar for a blistering rendition of Traffic's Mr Fantasy playing a superbly fiery Hendrix-style solo.

He's a wonderful organist, excellent guitar player, a soulful singer and still looks good nearing his 60th year. Is this man irritating or what?

I wouldn't say this was a perfect gig. The sax playing occasionally got close to Sade's Diamond Life easy listening and the main guitarist was good but had a chukka-wukka funk style that has never been to my taste. The good (and sometimes great) far outweighed the average though.

If this legend of rock comes your way then definitely go to see him. He's still got it and you won't be disappointed.

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Drachen Theaker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 22 2005 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 376	Topic: Steve Winwood 24/3/07 Posted: March 25 2007 at 14:51
	Steve Winwood at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK 24/3/2007 When we found out ex-Traffic, Spencer Davis Group and Blind Faith legend Steve Winwood was playing in Nottingham the same night as England faced Israel in a Euro football qualifier we had a dilemma. It was Mr Fantasy (Winwood) versus Mr Depressingly Uninspired (Steve McLaren) for the night's entertainment. It was a contest with only one possible winner, so while England laboured to a predictable bore-draw we were treated to two hours of well-chosen and hugely enjoyable selections from Winwood's 40-year plus career. Arriving at the standing-only venue spirits were instantly raised by the sight of a Hammond B3 on stage. It looked like your granny's old sideboard but proved to sound like sweet, poetic music to an ageing rocker's ears. Playing to a packed and enthusiastic crowd, Winwood plundered his peerless back catalogue to play Traffic's art rock (The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Mr Fantasy), Spencer Davis' R&B (Keep On Running, Gimme Some Lovin') and some 80s hits(Back In The High Life and Higher Love). There was a definite split in the audience with the Winwood-lite 80s material getting major applause from one section, but I think the rest of us managed to outshout them in response to the rockier 60s/70s stuff. The two points where the show really took off were a lengthy, bluesy instrumental which featured some extended and truly smokin' Hammond work from Winwood. He then donned a guitar for a blistering rendition of Traffic's Mr Fantasy playing a superbly fiery Hendrix-style solo. He's a wonderful organist, excellent guitar player, a soulful singer and still looks good nearing his 60th year. Is this man irritating or what? I wouldn't say this was a perfect gig. The sax playing occasionally got close to Sade's Diamond Life easy listening and the main guitarist was good but had a chukka-wukka funk style that has never been to my taste. The good (and sometimes great) far outweighed the average though. If this legend of rock comes your way then definitely go to see him. He's still got it and you won't be disappointed.
	"It's 1973, almost dinnertime and I'm 'aving 'oops!" - Gene Hunt