´óÏó´«Ã½

Dr John (photo: Henry Diltz)

Dr John at the Royal Northern College of Music

Viner’s fresh blues guitar set offered a humorous and charming introduction to the main act.ÌýHis lyrical style very much paid homage to Dr John and firmly established this exciting new guitarist’s position within the New Orleans blues, R & B, jazz- fusion tradition that John epitomises.

Dr John was a hit before he had even stepped onto the stage, as the eager audience perched anxiously, waiting to devour every syncretic note. That tangible excitement characterised the evening and did not wane throughout the accomplished set.ÌýIn a tangerine orange suit and trademark hat, Dr John needed no more props or accompaniment as his gravely voice and lively piano playing filled the venue.

His unique brand of narrative blues fusion had the audience clapping along by track three and by track seven, several fans were on their feet to give a standing ovation. Raucous applause greeted every number and the foot-tapping crowd provided an appreciative rhythmic backdrop to Dr John’s set.

His voice leapt easily between the octaves like a male Joni Mitchell as his fingers skilfully travelled up and down the ivory keys. The tracks ranged from early classics to several off his latest album, N’Awlinz – Dis Dat or D’Udda.ÌýA particular high-note of the evening was his cover of a Professor Longhair track, while the only low point was The Monkey Speaks His Mind, which lacked the lyrical wit of other tracks.ÌýAll in all, however, it was a night of enthusiastic New Orleans fusion for Dr John enthusiasts.