Despite being a man of few words, Derek Smith, lead guitarist and singer with Edinburgh-based band, Main Street Blues revealed his ambition was to one day, play the larger Empire Theatre at Eden Court.
If last night’s show was anything to go by, it won’t be long before that wish is fulfilled. They played Inverness just a few months ago and are already booked to come back in November, such is the demand to hear them.
Playing to a packed theatre, with little fanfare or words the four piece band strolled onto the stage, then proceed to blow everyone away with a show featuring blues served with a heavy slice of funk and soul.
Opening with Last Dirty Deal (Coco Montoya) before heading almost straight into God Broken Heart, the band offered a masterclass in musicianship.
Derek is the only singer. Being sole vocalist is a big task but he pulled it off beautifully thanks to his unique voice that has echoes of Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Robert Cray.
His guitar playing is exemplary, but matched by the superb skills of bassist, John Hay, drummer John McAvoy and Iain Hanna, keyboard wizard.
Each of these older lads puts the focus on music rather than style or patter, and are individually first class musicians. Together they are simply first class.
Highlights for me included a tribute to BB King, with The Thrill is Gone; Before the Bullets Fly (Warren Haynes); Old Love (Eric Clapton and Robert Cray) and the stonking Fade to Blue, the title track of their new album.
Regular performers on the blues circuit, they are deservedly breaking out to a wider audience. I suspect the box office will be busy today with people booking to see them again.
