When Hugh Laurie announced in 2011 that he was making an album many were sceptics thinking it was just another actor trying to get more money with a hapless music career. The release of his debut k Let Them Talk in April 2011 showed them all with it becoming a modern jazz and blues classic from one of Britain’s best loved stars. His follow-up Did It Rain released earlier this year followed the suit and was once again a brilliant album. On 20th June 2013 Hugh and his Copper Bottom Band bestowed their performance on the Manchester Apollo. Taking 40s American Jazz to its polar opposite to the urban modern centre of Mancuanian Britain.
He came on to applause and an audience ready for a great night and he gave them just what they wanted. Second track in was the classic Let The Good Times Roll and the onlookers saw the man known for his rather serious performances in House loosen up into a flambouyant frontman. HL was not on his own, behind him were a selected group of musicians all talented in their own right. Most vocally were the backing singers: Jean Mclain providing the bellowing sassy soul to thunderous tracks What Kind Of Man Are You and to deeper tracks ‘lectric Chair. On the other mic was Gaby Moreno adding the sultry swing to the equation excelling tracks Kiss Of Fire and Weed Smoker’s Dream. Throughout the set Hugh kept referring and praising to the band comparing them to his own trousers stating “without them I’m naked and awkward”.
Not just playing the music track after track like most bands these days, he toldg jokes, stories and responded to heckles throughout- even accepting a teddy thrown at him from a fan. Dancing eccentrically and gesturing wildly the music turned him from a rather shy fellow into a electric figure of music. The only gig I’ve been to where the band cut midset to have a drink, a section that the comedian side of Laurie came apparent making jokes about Moscow and the Swiss.
It was clear throughout that Hugh wasn’t doing this as a side note to get a bit more money, Hugh was doing this because it’s his passion. We learnt you have two sides to him, Hugh Laurie the esteemed respected actor and comedian, and Hugh Laurie the passionate blues and jazz frontman. Recently ITV ran a documentary about Hugh and his childhood love for blues music; taking him across America visiting the birthplaces of jazz music from New Orleans to Chicago to the big easy of New York. It was a great spectacle to see an icon of British acting enjoying himself living his childhood dream. A great frontman needs passion and HL had it by the skipload being driven and gracious in his success throughout.
By the end the Manchester Apollo was turned into a 20s speak-easy with people on their feet embracing the experience young and old. Not just a great gig but more a reflection on a great actor, musician and man.
Setlist
Iko Iko
(The Dixie Cups cover)
Let the Good Times Roll
(Shirley & Lee cover)
Evenin’
What Kind of Man Are You
(Ray Charles cover)
Day And Night
Careless Love
Kiss of Fire
Junco Partner
Send Me to the ‘Lectric Chair
Mystery Train
(Elvis Presley cover)
You Don’t Know My Mind
(Lead Belly cover)
The Weed Smoker’s Dream
Lazy River
Wild Honey
Didn’t It Rain
I Hate a Man Like You
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel
Green Green Rocky Road
Encore:
Go to the Mardi Gras
(Professor Longhair cover)
Changes
Encore 2:
You Never Can Tell
(Ray Charles cover)
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