Christone “Kingfish” Ingram lands in Manchester to deliver a blues masterclass in support of his latest album, Hard Road.

All live photography by Dominic Walsh.

DYLAN TRIPLETT

Dylan Triplett sets the ball rolling with his half hour set including a range of blues styles. Whether it was funky, swampy, gospelly or just pure soulful blues, Triplett’s clear vocals display a talent we should keep an ‘ear’ out for. Who Is He (And What Is He To You) begins with some adept slap bass and neat percussion from the backing band. Later, his performance is enhanced by some subtle guitar licks from Stephen Hull. What is clear through the opener, is that soulful feel. It’s hard not to make comparison with the great Garry Shider of P-Funk fame (see Funkadelic’s Cosmic Slop for reference).

The acapella gospel blues of Change Is Gonna Come keeps the lively audience enthralled; the impact of the performance is evident in the ovation at the end. New single, Can’t Run From It, has a heavier rockier blues feel with some shimmering guitar work. He even manages to show his own version of a duck walk! Can’t Run From It is, notably, released via Kingfish’s Red Zero Records.

MATHIAS LATTIN

Tall, wiry guitarist Mattias Lattin cuts a cool figure. His traditional trio set up includes the same rhythm unit used by Dylan. This is clearly more guitar based blues. He begins softly with a cover of Cadillac Assembly Line which, although growing more searing in guitar delivery, is nevertheless clear and sweet on the ear.

His fluctuating tones ring out making full use of the splendid Albert Hall acoustics. Despite this being his first visit to the UK he quickly warms himself to the Manchester audience especially with his efforts to mend anyone present involved in a toxic relationship! Lose Some Weight allows for this rapport to grow, and the reception shown shows that there is a real mutual respect between artist and audience.

Party was the suggested solution as the high octane, exhilarating blues session ended with brilliant version of Al Green’s Love & Happiness. Although this was a shared jam session including Dylan Triplett and his guitarist Stephen Hull, Mattias’ vast range of skills nimbly display every trick in the book. As far as support acts go, Dylan Triplett and Mathias Lattin prove the perfect foil for what is to come.

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM

Before drawing breath it’s ‘Kingfish’ time. Bounding on stage with the widest of grins, Ingram lights up the room. His virtuoso skills only need a few moments to warm up before erupting in full flow. Midnight Heat shows seamless tempo changes and neatly segues into an elongated rendition of Fresh Out. It’s twenty five minutes in before he takes a break, leaving everyone breathless and completely overawed with his awesome playing. It’s only his tender age which prevents him from being described as a maestro . He explores every inch of his fret board producing a kaleidoscope of sounds in the very danceable Voodoo Charm from his latest album Hard Road (our review here).

Empty Promises is more solemn in nature and has a Motown keyboard opening. Of course the blistering guitar work takes precedence. Appropriately, in this church venue setting, it is heavenly.

Staccato licks provide an opportunity for the audience to participate with clapping, jigging and prancing in the moshpit to the jazzy, biographical I’m Not Going To Lie. Deshawn “D-Vibes” Alexander solos with a tour of his keyboard set up then a slap bass solo allows the rhythm section to shine.

ON TOUR

Some swampy blues fits with the appropriately titled Mississippi Night. Kingfish ends up replicating Buddy Guy’s audience tour, appearing in the gallery. His pristine playing was a wonder to behold, if you could catch a glimpse around the clamour of camera phones thrown up.

Kingish respectfuly requests a brief delay to sort an audience health issue. Then, a dreamy, hypnotic opening emerges into a jazzier vibe for Bad Like Me. It’s another stunner from Hard Road . The light show may have been minimal but his music is nothing short of masterful.

A delightful solo keyboard version of Eleanor Rigby, precedes Nothing But Your Love. You could be forgiven for, at times, thinking the backing band fade into the distance. They are ever present, filling in the spaces, this time allowing Ingram’s rich soulful vocal to shine. During Outside This Town, Ingram trades licks with D-Vibes, who swapped his keyboard for keytar.

662

Finally, the set heads to its end after two hours, just beating the curfew, with the swinging live favourite 662. He toys with the audience, teasing them into thinking all is done. They burst back into life again adding the icing to the cake with a cover of Hendrix’s Who Knows during the encore.

With the UK leg of his European Tour closing, Kingfish is an artist on the road to guitar greatness. The electrifying performance in Manchester only solidifies what we already know – now we wait for what comes next from this spectacular, prodigious talent.

Check out Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s performance at World Cafe, below.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: Official Website / Facebook / X / Instagram

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube