How do you balance the sound of ten musicians on a stage without anyone’s contribution being lost in the symphony of blues? That was the question superbly answered by the Chris Bevington Organisation at the recent Edinburgh Blues Club gig in the Voodoo Rooms. It takes real skill to bring together drums, piano, two saxophones, trumpet, 2 electric guitars and a bass along with two vocalists and have them all sound indispensable.

The whole stage was infused with an energy that spilled out into the audience, largely due to the seeming never ending stamina of the front man.  Jim Hodgkinson barely paused in his singing and seldom glanced down at his guitar as he played in perfect tandem with the extraordinary guitar skills of Luke Machin, possessed of an ability to draw truly magical sounds from his six strings and to mesmerise with his legato ability.

The setlist was clearly designed to showcase the prowess of all on the stage, including some fan favourites; such as the beautiful slow blues,” Home Sweet Home”, which made full use of the brass on show and “Boogie Man”, which was introduced as a favourite of the band, something that was obvious from the passion they brought.

At the final ‘Comin’ Down with the Blues’ we knew we’d been given a treat and by the end of the encore ‘Someone to watch over me’ many were on their feet. It has taken a few years for the planets to align in such a way so as to make it possible for the Chris Bevington Organisation to perform at the club, but it was well worth the wait!

@chrisbevmusic  @edinburghblues