Lachy Doley in Adelaide: There’s No Cure For The Blues Like The Blues – Music Review

Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Fri 2 Feb. There was a vociferous crowd greeting the tremendous Lachy Doley at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. Predominantly a crackerjack bluesman, the acclaimed ‘Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond organ’ has eloquently furbished the popular organ trio of old with a mixture of modern flavours, such as rock and funk; a large part thanks to his powerhouse of a rhythm section Jackie Barnes on drums and Joel Burton on bass. Doley is no stranger to showmanship. For a bluesman, his hair flaps about as much as the avid metal-head and his stage antics are reminiscent of an electrified Jerry Lee Lewis. He uses a ’57 Hammond C3 and a Leslie 145 which Doley activates via footswitch to create vibrato – he must have had tap dancing lessons. He also uses a Clavinet fitted with a whammy bar which was exhibited in the song Killer whilst having taped down a fourth interval (two notes) on the organ to act as a drone/pedaltone in the background – neat trick! The set was mainly a mixture of The Lachy Doley Group’s Conviction and Lovelight albums, from the slow and bluesy (and Zeppelin-y) sound of Conviction to the funky grooves of Make It Up. As suggested in a Facebook post, Lachy performed a cover of a famous Adelaide artist as a tribute to playing a show in his hometown which was revealed to be Because I Love you by The Masters Apprentices. In the encore they played The Spencer Davis Group’s Gimme Some Lovin’ with the help of their opening act and fellow bluesman Stefan Hauk. For a venue suited to the blues, to a crowd who absolutely adored the blues, with song after song received with a cheer it was a pleasure to every ear. Musicianship remarkable from all who came, Adelaide is poised to have them back again. 5 stars Bián Hickman Centre image courtesy of Bián Hickman