King King - Sari Schorr

“Hang on tight - this is one hell of a journey!”

Glasgow has many reputations but one endearing side is the city’s love of its homegrown talent. The steady rise of King King has built a strong fanbase across the world but none more so than in frontman Nimmo’s spiritual home, and the O2 Academy is full tonight to honour the band’s return on a very special evening.

Nimmo knows his stuff and he has proved this by asking the New York troubadour Sari Schorr to share the stage tonight. Schorr is no stranger to these shores and her presence on the south banks of the Clyde is keenly anticipated by a knowledgeable crowd tonight.

Opening with a track from her 2018 album ‘The New Revolution’, Sari Schorr (vocals), Ash Wilson (guitar), Mat Beable (bass), Stevie Watts (keyboard) and Roy Martin (drums) make a statement on the night ahead. This powerful groove-monster of a track is soaked in the passion that Schorr has trademarked in recent years. Her voice is unique with a considerable strength, a hint of grit and a bucketload of range that means she often holds the mic away so as not to give the front of house engineer a heart attack.

Moving through tracks on the ‘Never Say Never’ album, she takes time to thank King King for the opportunity to play with them, acknowledging how special this night is for so many reasons. Schorr flows through the Bad Company cover ‘Ready for Love’ when the pace slows and the band use the space and pace well, playing with a smooth coolness that draws you in.

Schorr’s splendid set reaches its conclusion with a penultimate track as upbeat as her first of the night in ‘Maybe I’m Fooling’. The guitar and keys work on this are particularly strong with a rhythm delivery that has the entire crowd moving. Topping this would never be easy but the strength of Schorr’s catalogue provides a more than worthy closing track in ‘Valentina’ which keeps the pace up to send the set home. The sing along chorus is a highlight for me on the night although those in close proximity to my efforts may not have agreed.

Schorr is a true heavyweight in blues and her credibility grows from show to show with a global following that is drawn to her humble personality and premier league talent. I really do recommend you check her out on her upcoming UK tour.

You can find all the details here -
https://www.facebook.com/SariSchorrMusic/
http://www.sarischorr.com/

The O2 Academy is a big venue and only a capable band would have the confidence to book it. King King are one such band - confident in the knowledge that they have the chops to deliver, and the support to create a night to remember.

Tonight is a special night as the band say farewell to journeyman bass player Lindsay Coulson who took the difficult decision to step away from music into the world that many (ironically) wish they could leave for music. The fact that his is happening in Glasgow on the bands tenth anniversary layers the unique atmosphere hanging in the air tonight and all present know they are privileged to be here.

Alan Nimmo (vocals/guitar), Lindsay Coulson (bass), Wayne Proctor (drums) and Jonny Dyke (keyboard) step onstage to a warmth of reception that they have earned, deserve and enjoy (and that’s before a note is played). The intro tape of mighty ACDC’s Highway To Hell tells a story in itself.

The band acknowledge their supporting artist tonight and the reception between each song has a visible effect on Nimmo who later references his mother in the crowd and at one point tells her not to cry. This family feel embraces everyone in the room and Nimmo registers those not here in his dedication of ‘Coming Home’ to the recently departed legend Ted McKenna. Staple tracks from their 2017 album ‘(She Don’t) Gimme No Loving’ and ‘Heed the Warning’ are wonderfully solid and evidence the maturity in the material. These tracks in particular feature that crossover rock feel that has seen the band tour with the likes of Europe in the last while.

The sincere thanks to Coulson is beautifully delivered by Nimmo who has a clear affection for the pair’s journey over more than a decade. Coulson will always be part of the King King legacy and it was never going to be easy to fill his considerable shoes. There were nudges and winks between those in the know on the night however, as to who Coulson would be replaced by. The announcement that local lad Zander Greenshields would be the new bass player was well received. His friendship with the Nimmo brothers spans many years and as he stepped onstage, he looked like he belonged.

Greenshields played two songs with the band - something that Coulson should be acknowledged for as his respect for his replacement is clear. Playing the 1981 Whitesnake classic ‘Don’t Break My Heart Again’, Greenshield’s is told “try no’ to f**k it up” by a grinning Nimmo but he doesn’t (of course) as he’s another class performer.

Coulson returns to finish the show and face the front row - all wearing Coulson masks with the unmistakable pout. Closing the show with ‘Old Love’, King King have sealed the deal on what has been a memorable experience for all.

Ten years nailed, personnel change sorted and the prospect of a continuing upward trajectory ahead of them. Hang on tight - this is one hell of a journey!

Check the band out here -

https://www.facebook.com/kingkingalannimmo/
https://www.kingking.co.uk/

CS