Live Review: Beth Hart, Kristy Lee

Joining Alabama’s Kristy Lee this evening was the talented Hussy Hicks, who together brought us a charming set of acoustic tunes. Lee was a talkative, relatable woman, speaking and singing mostly about love. The standout track was a cover, Grandma’s Hands, which was dedicated to all the grannies and featured some amazing harmonies between Lee and Hicks, as well as some ambitious vocal antics by Lee that left the audience genuinely stoked.

Beth Hart blew us away opening with a solo rendition of piano power ballad, Leave The Light On, captivating us right away. In true showbiz style, Hart introduced her band one by one as they took their places on stage and got the night off to a cracking start with Spirit Of God.

The energy on stage was like nothing this reviewer had ever seen before. There was a kind of synergy between all the musicians that spoke beyond wanting to play a great show; they wanted the audience to feel the heart and soul of blues music, and feel it we did. It’s just a shame the audience didn’t show it, even when Hart commanded that we take our “ass” and shake it to Rhymes.

Hart’s vocal range was absolutely spectacular, ranging from sultry jazz tones to grunge screeching, leaving us thoroughly impressed by the gutsy Monkey Back, and bringing us to the verge of tears with the heart-wrenching ballad, Sister Heroine. The slinky Caught Out In The Rain ended the reign of the fantastic band, Hart ending her set as she began it: alone, playing a solo piano ballad.

The guts, heart and soul of blues music isn’t something you can hear on a record; it’s something you experience live. Get yourself to a blues show, or even better, a Beth Hart show.