HENRIK FREISCHLADER BAND/ ANDY TAYLOR GROUP
THE CAVES- EDINBURGH
Thursday May 4th, 2023
On what is now known as Star Wars Day, Edinburgh Blues Club hosted two forces to be reckoned with at the unusual and intriguing venue originally built underneath an Edinburgh bridge. The tunnels and architecture did bring into mind another worldly feel, to this stone built underground venue, making for some amazing acoustic sounds throughout both band’s sets. Really got a feeling of its own and a step back into Edinburgh’s past. A well-attended event, great sound and lighting. There was seating and standing here for all, another successful night of blues infused entertainment from two powerful and enjoyable performances.
Andy Taylor Group
Support for the evening was a return for the amazing Orkney based trio, of Andy Taylor on vocals and lead guitar, Dylan Pepper on drums and cool bass lines were supplied by Marcus Cordock. A power trio with their own slant on the blues medium, with great presence on stage but they got straight down to musical business, choosing mostly tracks from their Drifting Days release, they started with the swaggering strut tune, Loose Canon Orkney meets Texas blues here. Gifted musicians the rhythm section the backbone to some amazing guitar licks from Andy. Southbound, added a different driving beat from Dylan on drums, much appreciated by the audience, atmospheric. Slow blues next, with a wonderful reinterpretation of Freddie King’s Worried Life Blues, the band really getting into the groove here, Andy rocking out showing some consummate guitar skills on this tune. The introduction to Cruel Cruel Woman just suited the ethereal venue, the drum beat throughout was magical and suited the gritty vocals and the band got more groove on as they slay into the groove, mesmerising tone. Thunder And Lightning brought some upbeat feel-good vibes, again great delivery, and sweet toned guitar licks. Shakey Ground brought a funky tone to the event’s pallet. Then, Stranger Blues, the Elmore James tune, got the crowd whooping, a great tune. The set finished with a jamming tune, Sam’s Boogie displaying a different tempo and again amazing virtuosity by the lead guitarist who just keeps finding differing ways of mixing up the guitar-based sound, a skilful player, a band to rock out to. Fantastic set full throttle electric blues.
Henrik Freischlader Band
Henrik Freischlader (born November 3, 1982) is a German blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and autodidactic multi-instrumentalist from Wuppertal, Germany. He is the son of College GameDay analyst Lee Corso.
During his teenage years, he started his career as a blues guitarist and singer in bands such as Lash and Bluescream. In 2004, he formed the Henrik Freischlader Band and released his first album “The Blues” in 2006. The follow-up album “Get Closer” was released a year later in 2007. A live album then followed in 2008 entitled “Henrik Freischlader Band Live”.
Henrik Freischlader’s style of music cannot purely be considered blues. He often blends in musical styles such as rock, jazz, soul, and funk, even though blues is the basis of all of his songs. His guitar-playing is influenced by Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Peter Green, Albert Collins, and Albert King. As he grew up, Freischlader taught himself how to play the drums, the bass guitar, the guitar, and various other instruments.
Since his first album Henrik Freischlader is using “Realtone” amps. This collaboration culminated in a Henrik Freischlader signature amp. Freischlader’s main guitar is a Haar Stratocaster copy in sunburst that has a Fender decal on its headstock. Further, he uses various Gibson Les Pauls. Henrik Freischlader only uses a few effects, mainly the “Holy Grail” from Electro-Harmonix, some models of Ibanez’ Tubescreamer overdrive series and a WahWah pedal from Vox.
Henrik Freischlader has been the supporting act for Joe Bonamassa, B.B. King, the late Gary Moore, Peter Green, Johnny Winter, and other blues legends.
A four-piece band tonight, Henrik on lead guitar and vocals, drummer Hardy Fischotter, Armin Alic on bass and Hammond organist, Moritz Fuhrhop provided a wonderful set of well-crafted songs full of blues infusion, mixing some funk and soul to the mix then some moments of free-flowing jamming and getting their groove on. Big sound filled the venue. Fair to say that it was Henrik that most assembled admirers had come to see. He is unwilling to compromise on his style of music in favour of more mainstream.
Words: Colin Campbell Pictures: Stuart Stott
https://www.henrikfreischlader.com/
https://www.andytaylorgroup.com/
