A masterclass in blues guitar
GIVEN his stellar performance on Strictly Come Dancing, it’s likely that any show featuring Giovanni Pernice will feature some hot moves.
But what comes as a complete surprise at his Dance Is Life show at the Customs House in South Shields is the fact that his wit is about as quick as his footwork, making this production probably one of the most unique – and slickest – of all of those toured by the Strictly stable.
Full of Italian charm, he immediately creates a rapport with an adoring audience, before kicking off with a few stylish and speedy numbers supported by a sizzling cast.
His dance partner Luba Mushtuk may not get as much air time on the TV (she’s one of the troupe of backing dancers) but here she gets the opportunity to show her skill and her fancy footwork as Giovanni’s dance partner.
The dances come thick and fast – and I do mean fast – with the Italian dancer given ample opportunity to showcase how he got into the Guinness Book of Records which the fastest number of flicks and kicks in the jive.
This show – which has been put together by Strictly’s choreographer Jason Gilkison - has the level of performance you would expect from a hit West End musical – with the dancers performing with effortless skill.
The various numbers pay homage to the tango, the jive, the cha cha and all of the other favourites which ballroom dance fans know so well.
There’s a change of pace in the second half with a dance piece about falling in love – boy meets girl, boy dances with girl, boy and girl eventually walk off into the sunset.
Again every minute of this show simply sizzles and Giovanni is ably supported by a strong cast. Charm, energy, electricity and possibly one of the best dance shows to grace the North East.
It’s back in Middlesbrough in July – you might just find me there again. MANY artists lay claim to having the best, most dedicated fans in the world, but none can quite match the fans of blues guitarist Walter Trout.
In 2013, Trout took seriously ill while on tour in Germany but somehow managed to complete the last couple of shows before being admitted to hospital with chronic liver failure which required an urgent transplant.
Faced with astronomical medical bills his fans rallied to his cause, raising the money needed for this life-saving treatment. After a long haul of recuperation which required him to learn how to walk and indeed play the guitar again, Trout returned triumphantly to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall for an emotional show almost two years after almost losing his fight for life.
While many may have taken such a health scare as a reason to retire, Trout had no such thoughts as he embarked on an extensive tour last year that has barely stopped for breath.
Returning to the North during the second leg of his current tour saw him at the intimate Playhouse Whitley Bay, a perfect venue for a fired up Trout and he wasted no time getting into his stride with I Can Tell.
His latest album Battle Scars tells his story from the despair and anguish of his illness to his recovery and return to the stage. It’s lyrically moving and musically explosive reflecting a passion and appreciation of life of someone who has been given a second chance and has grabbed it with both hands. Almost Gone, a smouldering Haunted By The Night and Please take Me Home all told his tale.
With his formative years spent on the road with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers – not to mention playing with Blues legend John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex – Trout has plied his trade with the best of them and it certainly showed. From the fire and brimstone of Serve Me Right To Suffer to the gentle soothing tribute to BB King, Say Goodbye To The Blues and the extended jam of The Blues Came Calling complete with guitar duel with his son Jon, Trout captured the very essence of the Blues. Not only was his guitar playing stellar but his powerful, gravel edged voice was steeped in the glorious tradition of the blues. For almost two hours, 66-yearold Trout played with the energy of a man half his age and gave a masterclass of Blues guitar built on almost half a century in the business. With a set list that changes from night to night no one was quite sure what was coming but, what was certain, no one went home disappointed and certainly not when he closed with a storming tribute to Chuck Berry. We thought we had lost him but thanks to his loyal fans and their touching generosity he’s back, better than