REVIEW: Mick Hucknall at Indigo2

By Simon Hayes on July 11, 2008 11:20 AM |

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THERE was no holding back for Mick Hucknall as he brought his vocal talents to the IndigO2 last night.

The Simply Red singer showcased his "Tribute to Bobby Bland" album to an appreciative audience and they were not disappointed as Hucknall, in fine voice, ripped through Bland's back catalogue.

Rousing versions of "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog", "I Pity the Fool" and "Cry, Cry, Cry" had the audience on its feet well before the end of a rather short set.

Often criticised for playing it safe in his Simply Red guise, Bland's gutsier tunes brought out the versatility in Hucknall's voice, and he displayed some impressive vocal dexterity as he tackled his self-confessed "labour of love" with gusto. It was good to hear him exert himself outside his comfort zone.

The live set was preceded by a short documentary film explaining Hucknall's inspiration for the project, featuring contributions from BB King, Van Morrison and Bland himself.

Hucknall's claim that Bland was overlooked by the 1960s blues boom in the UK might be questioned in some quarters, particularly since the likes of Morrison and Eric Clapton have produced well-received covers of his songs, but he should be applauded for bringing some genuinely class music to a modern audience and there's no doubting his sincerity for the project.

He closed with a version of James Brown's "Cold Sweat", leaving an excited and devoted audience calling for more. They'll have to wait until next year, however, when the ginger singer returns to The O2 Arena on the Simply Red farewell tour.

And as for Bobby Bland? Well, if Hucknall's effort encourages people to seek out the much underrated bluesman's music, then so much the better.