LIVE REVIEW: ADAM SWEET BAND - TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB - COULSDON

A first visit for #TEAMw21 to the Tuesday Night Music Club in Coulsdon, on entering at about 19:02, about 2 minutes after doors were scheduled to open, there was already an excited hubbub and much of the seating already taken. An enquiring voice on reception asks if we have seen the band playing previously, "Once or twice over the years" we reply. He informs us that they were sounding very good at Soundcheck - "We'd expect nothing else" we tell him and head on in to find the bar. There are 2 main areas to the club, the first houses the bar, with King Charles looking down from a ledge above it, there is also room for a merch table and spillover seating from the main area. A wide bi-fold door separates what could be a cosy public bar from which to watch the football on tv, into a full on venue.

There's a stage with black backdrops detailing the club's name, saloon chairs and tables are in rows, and there is a nice mix between male and female patrons. The PA soundtrack is a knowing mix of blues and soul with an occasional bit of Springsteen. This is clearly a most welcoming and knowledgeable crowd, who are eagerly swapping details of the latest things they had heard or news of upcoming gigs each may have missed. It strikes us that this is a venue that probably sells a large chunk of its tickets the moment they go on sale, that there is a trust between customer and club that says, you put them on and we will come.

The reason for #TEAMw21's visit to South London is a chance to see Adam Sweet play with his full band. More often found in the band of the touring theatre show "A Country Music Songbook", or as Alan West's regular guitarist, as well as providing much of the guitar work on Florence Sommerville's forthcoming album, Adam is an accomplished performer in his own right, and his medium of choice is the blues!

An introductory warm up of bass, guitar and organ with shimmering cymbals is suddenly punctuated by Adam’s Cream like lead guitar, taking us in to “Working On It”.  There’s a rich Hammond organ sound from a player who is slightly obscured from our view and it all makes for a great opening. A drum intro then leads us into another thrilling sound from the rocking combo,  Adam’s guitar is initially the recurring refrain of “You Or Me?”, the organ sound once more adding another dimension while the teamwork between bass and percussion seems to produce the maximum sound with seemingly the minimum of effort.  

The ”Sink Or Swim” album that had provided the fierce opening then would then give us the more mellow “Something'll Happen”, Adam able to let his vocals come more to the fore as his guitar style became more intricate with less volume.

A couple of covers would find the band in ZZ Top mode, and a big smile would come over Adam’ face as he launched into the heavier opening riff of “Waiting For The Bus”, it would later host a madcap keyboard solo. The pace would slow as it would segue into another ZZ Top song “Jesus Just Left Chicago”  which would see the organ and guitar mix to fabulous effect.

 New stuff would make an appearance with a Hugh Moffatt co write, “Backstop”, possibly a little too country for some of the blues aficionados, however #TEAMw21 loved it. It was a soulful sound with reverb and saw Adam giving us his most considered vocal At one point the sound would fade to almost nothing, the bass almost like an ever slowing hearbeat before things would roar back intp life. A definite gem in the making. Adam would regale us with the tale of having bought a mortuary in Exeter which now houses his recording studio,  before heading off once more into bluesier territory with “Did it For The Money”.

  The Rolling Stone’s may be known for their blues but “Dead Flowers” was from their more Country songbook, and would see the band provide a trio of vocalists. over at times some nice jangly guitar and another delicious organ solo. The last song of a first half that whizzed by, would come in the shape of another new song, an instrumental not given a title on the night, that was a Booker T & The MG’s style effort – Adam certainly sported a huge smile as it played.  

Part 2 would start with just Adam initially playing guitar on a  slow blues number which would see the band gradually build up around him. Managing to be both loud and harmonious, “Ashes and Ice” seemed to be a combination of blues and prog rock with many different sections to absorb.  There was no doubt that  “The Stumble” was the Blues, an old Freddie King tune, it would see appreciative heads around the room nodding at the choice. Complete with another full on organ solo, instrumentals don’t get much more fun than this, especially when followed with an Adam Sweet guitar solo.  On completion it was straight into a  “We Will Rock You”  style drum beat intro, fortunately though it would be joined by Adam’s solid guitar sound for “Fall From Grace”.

It has to be said that nothing makes #TEAMw21 raise a weary eyebrow than an announcement that the next song was likely to exceed ten minutes in length!!  As it turned out “Evening”, would make full use of its allocated time, initially a Gary Moore “Parisienne Walkways” style opening, it would give way to just percussion and Adam playing the softest of guitar notes. As the keyboards joined they were likewise almost muted in comparison to earlier. The chorus would see the volume rise in volume before dropping back allowing Adam’s vocals to take centre stage once more. This most quiet of backing played out to pin drop silence from the attentive crowd. There was still room for another wild keyboard solo in this song that would have many different facets to it, as it veered from quiet to loud and back again. It would end in true blues style with Adam  singing “Since my girl has gone”

Band introductions would accompany the opening to “The Dark Side Of Town”, a more mellow sound once more. Adam has always incorporated a little early Fleetwood Mac into his act and his “Green Manalishi / Oh Well” set piece never seems to age and was a cause for smiles all round. It was back to “Sink Or Swim” for “Trouble” before the evening would close with another new tune “Full Moon Fight” inspired by nights out in Cardiff!, which was an all out aural assault with Adam firing the lyrics out in a most unbluesy rapid style! It would lead to a standing ovation of applause.

Closing with one of their favourite songs from one of their favourite bands – namely The Band, “Ophelia” would send us out into the South London streets with a smile on our faces. It's alsways a pleasure to catch up with Adma in whatever guise he is appearing - tonight was great fun and hugely enjoyable.