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Elly Roberts reviews
at Summer Pops 2004, Kings Docks Arena, LiverpoolSaturday 3rd July 2004
The Best Of…
With 17 albums and four UK singles behind her,singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt brought some Californian sunshine toSummer Pops 2004 in Liverpool. Flame haired Bonnies repertoire never seems tostand still, as she blows apart opportunities to pigeon – hole her.
Shes better known for her albums, which explore a subtle blend of Blues,RnB, Pop and Folk. The pint – sized Foxy Lady, is a class act. Her naturallygifted and relaxed style assured she would win hearts and minds on this rare UKouting. Unlike many musicians, theres no prima Donna edge to her whatsoever.
Shes a funny lady, with a great sense of humour-making constant references tothe UK comedy series, The League Of Gentlemen. Exuding warmth and charm,she welcomed the crowd with, “Good evening and thanks for having us.Heres some good old rhythm and blues,” as she launched into a beltingbottleneck tour de force and dirty chords on Sho Do.
Hutch Hutching provided much of the foundation on fretless bass, allowing thetwin guitars to texturize the leads and picks. Randy Newmans PoliticalScience, Richard Thompsons stunning ballad Dimming took on a whole new meaningwith Bonnies treatment on the short acoustic set. Silence swept the arena asshe sat at the keyboard for the divine and mellow Nick Of Time – anobservation of her parents decline with age.
Signing off, she took us back with the fundamentals in life, with a grittymessage to all men – Real Man.
Saying goodbye, she thanked everyone again, saying “Well be back.”
Not soon enough in my books.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.