PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Master of the Stratocaster, Philip Sayce is on a small run of UK tour dates, and tonight is the penultimate show at the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, with special guest Troy Redfern.
What better way to get the blood pumping and warmed up on this freezing late November evening, than watching two red hot acts, Philip Sayce, and Troy Redfern, showcasing their definitive styles of electric blues-rock-and-roll!
Troy Redfern
Hot to trot and going solo for this special run of six-tour dates supporting Philip Sayce. The UK’s vibrant Troy Redfern proves he has the blues-rock power tonight. Redfern takes to the stage and launches straight into ‘Waiting For Your Love’ from his Fire Cosmic album and plays a short seven-song setlist. Troy introduces the new song and latest new single ‘Get Away’ off his upcoming album ‘Invocation’. Redfern is currently hosting an album Kickstarter and you can get involved here https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/troyredfern
There’s a ferocity to Redfern’s playing, and I like the grittiness of his vocals, on the new single ‘Getaway’, it’s edgy just like the man himself, dressed in black, and wearing one of his trademark Gambler hats, hell could freeze over and Redfern would melt right away with this impressive new scorcher!
It’s great to see Troy going from strength to strength, be it solo, or with a full band, Redfern delivers each song with prowess. Going hell for leather the slide-neck pace of ‘The Native’ is a cool smouldering number. The bouncy and sassy ‘Sweet Carolina’ has the crowd bopping along.
Closing with ‘Sanctify’ off his The Wings of Salvation album, Redfern rips it up with fierce solos and a raucous chorus, the man is firing on all cylinders tonight, as his Resonator guitar drives this last number home. It might’ve been a shorter set but there’s nothing like wanting more!
Setlist – Waiting For Your Love – Get Away – Dark Religion – The Native -Come On -Sweet Carolina -Sanctify
More photos here – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4G7k
Philip Sayce
It’s been some years since American-based Philip Sayce toured the UK and how lucky we are as his European leg of this Tour got cut. Tonight Sayce is joined by Sam Boole on bass and Bryan Head on drums. The Welsh-born-American-Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter’s appearance is much anticipated and the house is packed, I’m not sure it’s a sell-out, but damn it’s close.
Sayce treats his fans to one hell of a show made up of his albums ‘Spirit Rising, Steam Roller and Alchemy’ with a few covers thrown in for good measure. Opening with the funky jazz-infused Hendrix-styled ‘Out of My Mind’ it delivers the energy and pace you’d expect from the protege of guitar legend Jeff Healey.
Pop-slap bass notes dominate on ‘Powerful Thing’, as Sayce wastes no time taking to the edge of the stage, standing directly above his already in awe audience, as he bends over the crowd, working those notes on his trusty Stratocaster to his groovy beat.
Feeling special to be back in the UK, Sayce tells us it’s a privilege to be back playing essentially his own country, having been born in Wales, before moving at a young age to Canada. The next song is poignant, as Sayce wrote it about his father who sadly passed away suddenly during the lockdown. The melodic harmonies crescendo and convey Sayce’s feelings without the need for words, the dramatic solo is powerfully moving. Sharing the love for his wife, ‘Beautiful’ from his Steam Roller album gets the audience back in the groove, moving along to its funky beats.
Asking if we’ve heard his latest single ‘Lady Love Devine’ and ‘Witches Brew’ off his forthcoming studio album ‘The Wolves Are Coming‘ we are treated to ‘5:55’ from his Spirit Rising album. Its soulful clear crisp notes fill the air.
Sayce Stratocasts his mystic spell on his audience
A double dose of songs from his Peace Machine album flows. The twinkling of blues bars ensues on ‘Alchemy’, as Sayce Stratocasts his mystic spell on his audience, the opening is akin to Gary Moore’s ‘Still Got The Blues’, if you like a comparison. Followed by the plucky ‘Morning Star’. We are certainly going on a wonderful journey through Sayce’s mind, and we are thankful to be a part of it.
Encore
Bigging it up for his finale with a cover of Hendrix’s ‘Spanish Castle’
The band take a quick minute off the stage. Sayce and his band return to deliver two more songs… I’m sure we could’ve had him play more. Both bands have been exceptional and the time has flown by.
Closing with the aptly titled ‘I’m Going Home’ Sayce rips it up one more time. Thankful to his fans for coming out to see him and for Troy Redfern being a great support as his special guest tonight.
Setlist:
Out of My Mind
Powerful Thing/Steamroller
Bitter Monday
Once
Blues Ain’t Nothin’ but a Good Woman on Your Mind (cover)
Standin’ Round Crying (cover)
Aberystwyth*
Beautiful
5:55
Alchemy
Morning Star
Spanish Castle Magic (cover)
Encore
As the Years Go Passing By (cover)
I’m Going Home
More photos here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4JXT
