Windy City Strugglers - Devonport

The Windy City Strugglers in a Church. The Blues, in a Church, (it was the same venue as used by Jubilation) provided a context that made the show more about the music than the lyrics. Indeed. In one song The 'Strugglers do, Rick Bryant preambled to that effect that this song fit well in the Church, and it was one of those real blue 'Blues numbers. Raunchy is too mild a term*. Rick Bryant provided the guts to this otherwise delicate ensemble, giving a firey magnificence that delivered. The man is a powerhouse in his own right.

Contrast this foreground against a wash of blue that gave guest drummer, Auckland's extraordinary Ross Burge an ethereal appearance, perhaps but his drums and percussion blend perfectly with the feel of the thing. An extremely accurate performance by Bill Lake whose sense of humour and connectivity with his band produced music the audience obviously cared about. Geoff Rashbrooke's wild keyboard excursions sometimes won the crowd but other times had a sense out being out in front of everything; this beatiful madness; this collection of our premium musicians who now approach immortality in their their long slow climb, some say strugglin' for success, but at least now its with some ease.

The audience turned out - not quite a full house, but they came to the Church. If you missed the show, Sunday at the Classic Comedy and Bar is you last chance.

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* Talking to the Minister afterward, it seemed perhaps a little strong. But no, this open hearted and welcoming Minister loved the show and asked for more shows to keep St Pauls of Devonport going. Reconnecting the Blues with its roots of freedom and expression seemed more than correct in this Presbytarian building. Recent atrocious right wing rulings biased against gay people have tarred the Presbytarian brand and she was not happy about that. This is the kind of Minister the Church needs.