Expect the unexpected and you are in Drive North West territory – the territory being a sunny surreal time-slot of 4.00pm on a blistering Sunday afternoon and by the end of yet another terrific gig it wasn’t just the sun that was blistering!
DNW appear to have been around for ages (well a decade and a half ain't bad) but the sets are always vibrant fresh and (largely thanks to Dave Buckley, the concertmaster) witty and dry.
The
band this particular afternoon was a six piece
with the inclusion of DNW original guitarist Pat Watt along side keyboard
player/guitarist Roman Wiekowski; This it
has to be said worked brilliantly and totally blew away an ‘eclectic’ sort
of audience
almost in fact, as eclectic as the music
itself.
When
everything works, which after a break in
their career, often does since their reformation, few outfits can touch
them and talking of outfits…well more later.
Stunning versions of the Doors Riders on the Storm and Neil Young's Rocking in the Free World sat comfortably with self penned numbers such as the country tinged Absent Friends and Dave’s classic Firing Blanks (dueting with the ever dynamic lead vocalist Suzie Wieskowska…..yes they are!!). There was a GORGEOUS (and I use the term carefully) inclusion of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Pride and Joy with an utterly incandescent guitar solo by the glamorously attired Pat on guitar which was ruthless power tainted with tantalising subtlety which would have had those folks at the Lancashire blues festivals baying for more (nice juxtaposition Pat by the way). The Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil, Dylan's Knockin' on Heavens Door and VM’sGloria finished the gig off in rousing style.
Drive North West are a music lovers must when it comes to searching for that special gig to see.
Brian Wood
July 2005