Curtis Stigers - "Who?", I hear you saying, He was a long haired saxophonist back in the day, you know, in 1991. His most famous hit was 'I Wonder Why', Do you remember him now?
I have seen Stiger's brother (Jake) quite a few times and his show was always immense so I was quite looking forward to tonight's exceptional performance (!). Curtis is one of the artists I had wished I'd seen in his heyday, fingers crossed he was gonna swoon tonight.
Fifty-something Stiger's now beating down the path of the Jazz genre with his newish album entitled 'Hooray For Love', (released in April 2014), which has received rave reviews "Curtis Stigers is the rare breed of talent that can embrace the Great American Songbook while keeping the music utterly contemporary. A resounding triumph!"
Performing with artists such as Elton john, Eric Clapton, Prince, and Rod Stewart and releasing a few albums under his own steam back in the early 90's, his own self-titled album and 'Time Was' back in 1995, a few hits later including 'I Wonder Why' and 'You're All That Matters To Me' saw Stiger's popularity rise, BUT after that where did he go?
Of late a few of Stiger's tunes have been used on popular American show 'Sons of Anarchy', Although tonight was about new album 'Hooray For Love', tonight was the second date of Stiger's six UK and Irish dates.
Stiger's looked dapper in his suit and lush silver hair, his voice was still like back in the good ole days, velvety and silky smooth. I found his new material a bit depressing and dour though, I thought they were meant to be love songs?! BUT I guess it's each to his/her own.
Everyone wanted to hear the stuff that he was famous for back in his hey-day and they weren't disappointed, 'You're All That Matters To Me' was the outstanding song of the set, very croonerish indeed.
Backed by a set of accomplished musicians from all over the globe Stiger's treated us to two sets, it seemed a bit grannified to me and something I've only experienced at the theatre or in Panto season, NOT for a gig, unless its Daniel O'Donnell and you're a pensioner, and you need a break to go to the loo cause it'll take you 15 mins to get there.
A 40 min set for the first session followed by more of the same for the second set.
I loved the setting of The Jam House, tables and chairs for punters and punters standing around, very relaxed and quite chilling, the ideal setting in fact for Stiger's and co.
The highlight of the night for me was the setting, the staff, the amazing shandy I had and 'You're All That Matters To Me'. Job Done.
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.