Nominated for a 2021 Jazz FM award in the blues category, singer and guitarist Marcus Bonfanti here with double bassist Jihad Darwish there's intimate and there's intimate and I can't think of anywhere quite as tiny and excellent as this basement, one of two Green Note spaces. Perhaps the Tatty Bogle near Carnaby Street if dear readers you recall that fine spot or the glorious 12 Bar Club of fond regard on Denmark Street come close and apposite. Playing on the carpet, arco double bass from Jay set the scene and an early dopamine rush was the duo's take on Dr John's 'Such a Night'. 'Work Song' didn't do much to me I'll fess up only through over-familiarity. However, things got deeper and Josh White's 'Jelly Jelly' (the Billy Eckstine and Earl Hines number from the 1940s) was worth the price of admission many times over. Later Doc Watson's 'Deep River Blues' was also superb. In the break Marcus chatted engagingly to marlbank about playing with Van Morrison and Paul Jones. 'Champagne and Reefer' hit the spot in the second entering the Magic Slim domain. Bonfanti is the business and Darwish was nimble and interesting throughout playing harmonies as well as walking the walk and rattling the wood like a mother when he took his rings off for the earthier numbers. Jihad Darwish, top and Marcus Bonfanti. Words & photo Stephen Graham
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