All Done For 9

Korks Wine Bar, Otley

Review by Ant Cotton

Sunday, July 31, 2016 - the day that funk came to All Done For 9.

Funk soul brothers and sisters queued to make sure they grabbed one of the limited seats whilst the younger brethren arrived fashionably late, and huddled stage right to catch Citrus Heights, the opening turn.

Although named after a Californian city this was white boy funk from a UK heritage.

As is entirely appropriate, the rhythm section laid down the beat (steady) allowing Benjamin Casey’s guitar and Jamie Kelly’s vocals to fill the spaces with jazz arpeggios and scat tales of love lost, or maybe love yet to come.

Next up was Jess Gardham, winner of the outstanding songwriting and outstanding artist classes at last year’s Yorkshire Gig guide awards.

Jess last graced these boards as the frontwoman of Bar Code Zebra. They have now parted company, and Jess belted out her carefully crafted songs as she wanted them to be heard.

She hinted that a new band is forming, but it was a treat to hear the songs solo. What you see is what you get, she told us in Just Me, "I can express myself so free this way", suggesting she is enjoying her liberation from a band.

Whilst Jess described some of the songs as ‘funked up’ I detected good old Mr Diddley’s hand under the strumming. This was funk born out of sixties blues and soul. A voice and acoustic guitar to fill Korks' back room.

She went down the proverbial storm - come back soon, with or without a band.

And finally funk of the jazz variety. Not a path I tread often, a little too clinical for these ears.

From Nashville via Huddersfield, the Dana Ali Band illuminated the way with skilful renditions of classics like Respect Yourself and Stir it Up.

Highlights were the blisteringly fast guitar work of Martin Chung and hearing Dana’s gospel influences infused with 80s funk.

For those interested in rock history, or should that be rawk history, Dave Hewitt, Dana’s bass player is a member of Babe Ruth. Yes – that Babe Ruth.

Another fine Sunday evening. Remember the last Sunday of the month in Otley - Farmers Market in the morning and soul food at six in the evening. And all done for nine.