Due to a tragic shooting in the venue the previous weekend, Amp Fiddler's
scheduled appearance at the Scala had to be postponed. There was however,
rich consolation in the form of an invitation-only gig at the swanky new
Big Chill House a few doors down the road, with donations on the door going
to the charity Mothers Against Guns.
Such gigs can unfortunately be a double-edged sword. On the one hand
it's a huge privilege to see an artist such as Amp Fiddler up close and
personal in the company of little more than a hundred people, his music
perfectly suited to such a scenario. On the other, when a good number of
those people are constantly yakking during the music, mounting hostility has
to be kept at bay.
So it was at the start here, with a whole bunch of people catching up
with each other at the back, but as it became apparent Amp Fiddler was
giving a storming performance the chat abated and the crowd moved towards
the makeshift stage.
The set was essentially a showcase for second album Afro Strut, with the
Afroludes recurring on two occasions to punctuate the show. This was done
with a nice touch of humour and a huge amount of funk, as Fiddler stood up
from his keyboards to a considerable height, though when he sang, "she's
got an afro strut" he seemed to look into the middle distance as if
imagining a particular woman.
His stage presence served to show just how tall he is, with an arm span
that would make him the albatross of funk! Several times he exhorted the
crowd with an expansive wave, playing off the now enthusiastic reaction
with an easy banter. The band also seemed to be thoroughly enjoying
themselves, with a tight knit sound secured through a rock solid yet
flexible rhythm section.
Fiddler judged the opening If I Don't to perfection, starting with just
hi-hat accompaniment but gradually adding more texture to raise the song
into an out and out funk number. Luv + War respectfully included references
to Edwin Starr's War and John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, both
given with his characteristically smooth delivery, effortlessly soulful and
never taxed.
The voice was the star for sure, with a richness that carried the
soulful tracks easily, making Right Where You Are a tender love song and
Find My Way Back an ultra cool piece of funk. But his whole demeanour was
most endearing as he threw himself into the music, his intention always to
please.
With the right blend of polish and improvisation the band were on their
mettle the whole way through, fully earning the twelve bottles of water put
onstage beforehand! With solos for each to end raucous bass, syncopated
drum fills, riotous guitar and keyboards their night was complete, and
Amp Fiddler's music had left a warm glow in the heart.
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