Spoonful – The Doghouse – 09/01/09

It was with some sense of trepidation and nervousness I entered The Doghouse tonight, and for two reasons.

One was that this may well be the last time I attend a show within the walls of this establishment before it is turned into yet another restaurant (as if Guernsey doesn’t have enough of them already – at least the music is moving to The Rockmount)

The other reason for my apprehension was that this would be the first time I would have the opportunity to see one of my favourite acts in Guernsey, Spoonful, with their new line up.

Since the departure of guitarist and singer Joe Corbin for university the band have recruited the more the much discussed Alan Palziard (sorry for the spelling) on guitar and the former singer from 10-piece funksters Project EMU, Graham Dawson, as lead vocalist and while both are renowned and capable musicians, I had fears they would have trouble filling the space left by the young guitarist.

Well to start the evening I had nothing to fear as Spoonful 'mark 1' took to the stage and while they took a few songs to hit their groove they were soon on top form blasting out their southern blues style featuring numbers by the likes of Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Cocker.

As ever Joe Corbin’s voice sounded like gravel being rubbed on the mic as he attacked his battered Fender Stratocaster as only he can, but it wasn’t long before the band took a break and I felt a little under whelmed due to the short set.

The band were soon back onstage in their 'mark 2' formation however and I needn’t have feared as Alan and Graham sounded great alongside Paul, Nigel and Andy and it didn’t take long for their slightly altered Chicago blues and funk sound to get the audience moving.

The Doghouse was packed tonight and there were people on the dancefloor throughout the second half of the evening as the music became increasingly funky and soulful with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers featuring in the set list.

While this new line up has a different sound, especially vocally as Graham has a smoother more powerful voice, and Alan a more mellow less attacking guitar sound, they were musically, the equal of the old line up.

The only thing that seemed somewhat lacking was the raw and vital energy and presence that Joe brings to the stage on his best nights.

After Spoonful came to the end of their second set of the evening the crowd wouldn’t let the band leave the stage and soon Joe Corbin joined the new line up for five or six encore numbers ranging from funk to blues to rock and showing off the talents of all six men on stage.

Following the set the crowd were still calling out for more but being already 15 minutes over curfew the band had to call it a night and I could leave The Doghouse mush less nervous than when I entered and happy in the knowledge that Spoonful Mk 2 can continue in the original line ups footsteps with admirable style.

(Of course since i wrote this it's been announced the Doghouse is staying open, so i needn't have been quite so fearful!)