Susan Santos Live Bannerman’s solid entertainment fabrications hq

Review By Darren McIntyre Photos Scott Anderson

Susan Santos is a celebrated, award winning singer / songwriter / guitarist from Madrid, Spain who is not only self taught but a lefty to boot. Susan has a list of accolades as long as your arm and has shared the stage with many of the worlds biggest acts that has helped her hone her incredible talent and has enabled her to bring us some incredible tracks that have made her a household name far and wide, Susan has given us 6 studio albums – Take Me Home 2010, Shuffle Woman 2012, Electric Love 2014, Skin & Bones 2016, No U Turn 2018, LA Sessions 2020 and her incredible new offering Sonora released earlier this year. Susan is out on tour atm which started in Birmingham and ends in Carlisle, tonight she has landed in Auld Reekie @ Bannerman’s to bring us a colossal night of blues soaked songs that will tingle the senses and then some. The place is patiently waiting for Susan and her band to take the stage and as the lights dim we don’t have long to wait as Susan steps up to the mic says hi and bang off we go as we launch into –

Snakebite – A real deep sludgy blues riff pours from the intro as slide guitar licks get this foot stomping blues eruption off the ground. We ger soulful vocals that just take this track to another place as the slick clean lines really elevate this classy blues piece. The snare drum punches are working well with the deep bassline that is wrapping itself around this thigh slapping rock n roll arrangement as we get lost in the smooth melodic vocals that are flowing effortlessly through this fantastic track, the tempo changes pace as Susan unleashes a slick guitar salvo that lets us get lost in the musicality as the band gets tight and pulls out all the stops to allow this fantastic track to really express itself as the groove just flows and really delivers a sludgy blues beat that is just incredible. T be honest this is like a private gig in your living room which makes the gig that little bit more special if I am honest, we roll into the fantastic –

Have Mercy – The pace changes direction as we have snare drum rolls that bring cymbal taps that let the killer upright bass tones fill the air as the tempo comes with a real mellow vocal charge. Susan’s vocals make it feel like you have just walked into a blues club and witnessed the house band deliver a real killer track that stops you in your tracks and really grabs a hold of you, this is a clever arrangement that catapults this exciting musician to the next level as the whole composition just pops. The rhythm section is controlling the groove as the sizzling blues soaked vocals let this track open and really bring the groove to us in truckloads, we are feeling the love from this celebrated musician as this night just goes up a notch in my honest opinion. The place is awash with applause as Susan and her two bandmates take the plaudits as she again thanks us for coming out to watch her and the boys do their stuff, up next comes –

Dusty Road – The track opens with a cool rhythm kick as the funking bassline drops meaty funk grooves that really let this track shine as Susan steps forward and just unleashed a slick, clean guitar lick that captures tonight’s performance perfectly. The soulful melodic blues toned vocals fit the arrangement well as we tap our feet to this cool beat as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as the band just clicks and really brings the blues to Edinburgh tonight, the tempo changes pace mid section as the cymbal snaps fill the air as we prepare for a face melting solo that just captures what this fantastic musician is all about. You feel the energy in the room go up a notch as Susan just gives it her all as the place claps along and really gets into the spirit of tonight’s show, up next is the fantastic –

Fever – Oozing from the stage is a real dirty, gritty blues riff that allows this foot stomping beast to rear it’s head as the funking bassline drops killer grooves all through the intro. The rhythm section comes at us with a solid snare drum beat as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as this blues soaked rocking track opens up and lets Susan really cut loose and deliver slick, clean licks that just capture what this lady is all about. The groove pulsing through Bannerman’s is quite extrordinary as we stand in awe as she steps forward to the edge of the stage and just shreds out to the enjoyment of this adoring crowd, we are being treated to something special tonight from this incredible musician as she delivers a crisp, clean set that just gets better with each track. The two boys she has with her Costa Tonaredi on Bass & Ross Gordon on drums are delivering a cool night of uptempo funking blues rock that is off the scale good, up next is –

What I Want – Kicking in the doors is a real gritty rasping blues guitar lick that has punchy drums for company as this groove laden rocker track erupts into life. The killer slide tones are just incredible as we witness cool riffs with real depth as this exciting musician drops foot stomping killer licks that are complimented perfectly with a mellow bassline that is handing out the big grooves that let this track really express itself as we feel the energy oozing from this talented lady as she certainly comes with bags of talent. The pace is slowed a little as the crisp gritty guitar licks erupt in a flurry of notes that are building and building with every chord that is coming for us today, the musicianship is just something special as we get to grips with this killer song and how it wraps itself around you and really pulls you in and then some. We are feeling the love from this incredible musician as she is showcasing just how talented she really is, we roll into –

In Trouble – A real crisp guitar lick flows from the intro as cool cymbal snaps let the rhythm section ooze from the back of the room as this cool little number comes at us with ease. Susan lets her soulful blues soaked vocals bring this toe tapping blues track to our attention as the full on bass groove drops sweet cool beats that just take this track to another place with it’s funky smooth tones, the band are tight, funky and really letting it all go tonight as we clap along and really fix ourselves on the stage as Susan shreds out and delivers a slick, punchy blues driven track that just lets us feel the tempo wrap itself around us tonight as this intimate mellow show is gathering pace as we slip into –

Rattlesnake – The track begins with Susan bringing her melodic mellow vocals to the track as the sweet punchy groove flows effortlessly through the intro as we get a snare drum beat that is followed by a full on bassline that instantly lifts this track. The whole arrangement is a real funky affair as we let the slick guitar riffs rain down on us as this toe tapping funk laden piece gathers pace and lets the guitar slide tones just grab our attention as this killer track just pops, we just watch the stage as the band delivers a sludgy, dark, melodic groove that just takes us to another place for sure as this lady just brings the sass, swagger to Auld Reekie tonight and then some, we are tearing through this slick, glitzy set as we roll into the epic –

Hot Rod Lady – The track begins with a real sludgy riffed intro that brings a punchy snare drum beat that lets this exciting musician tell her own story. The soulful vocals are just awesome as they add texture, depth and sass to this foot stomping blues rock track that is a real pleasure on the ears let me tell you, we are getting into the groove as the deep bassline drops enchanting funk tones that are flowing effortlessly through this incredible piece of music. The track changes direction as the rhythm section gives us pounding bass kicks that bring cymbal snaps that really open this sizzing monster to let Susan do her thing, the mid section is hitting us with a crisp, clean guitar lick that showcases this incredible musician as she works her way through this amazing melodic piece with precision as she works the track with everything she has. This is a real doozie of a track and proves that this young lady is a force to be reckoned with as she just guides this track aimlessly with depth, and swagger that will have you instantly hooked and asking for more, the juggernaut keeps rolling as we are let into –

So Long – A sweet cool dark guitar lick opens the account as we lead into blues laden vocals that are getting gritty guitar licks to get this awesome track on the move. The vocals really bring this track together as the rhythm section comes through with cool bass kicks that bring cymbal snaps that control the groove as it wanders freely through this toe tapping rock n roll arrangement, I will say that Susan must have had a lot of fun writing and performing this absolute banger of a track. The slick delicious guitar licks are really taking this track to another place as we feel the swagger oozing from this incredible artist as she delivers clean, crisp chords that are wrapped in a full on bassline that gives this track a cool edgy feel. The sweet deep bass drops epic funk tones that are held together by a funky, punchy rhythm section as it just drives straight through the heart of Edinburgh tonight with ease and really lets us have it and then some, coming at us next is the awesome –

Call Me Tonight – Change of pace brings a deep rasping guitar riff that delivers punchy snare drum kicks as the bass beats let the rhythm section tell it’s own story. The cool bassline is handing us mellow funk grooves that wrap themselves around this foot tapping rock n roll beast as we are taken on the ride with this incredible artist as she rips up the playbook with her fantastic blues riffs that let this track shine. We get a fantastic partnership that lets the bassline cover us in delicious grooves as the rhythm section delivers solid snare drum beats that are all wrapped in soulful guitar licks that let the towering vocals drive onwards and just elevate this absolute groover track to another level with it’s rawness, well delivered lyrics and snappy guitar licks that just take your breathe away. There is a real sweetness to this incredible musician as she just drops killer licks that captivate you and leave you wanting more and tonight we are getting this by the truckload let me tell you, we are nearing the business end of tonight’s show as we are led into the colossal groover –

Voodoo Wheels – We are taken to the country hoe down as Susan ups the tempo with this toe tapping blues thigh slapping track that is fast, furious and has bags of energy coming at us right now. The slick, clean guitar licks are bringing us a deep funky groove that is backed by a sweet cool snare drum roll that has cymbal snaps that bring cool bass kicks that just pop. This is a rip roaring country blues eruption that just grabs you and swiftly waltzes you around the floor in double quick time as the sweet clean guitar licks drive this blues juggernaut right towards us and certainly takes no prisoners with it’s gritty well balanced composition that has us wanting more and more. The intense bassline is just wrapping itself around this fantastic arrangement as we are being treated to a real killer show as Susan and her bandmates just bring the groove to us tonight, coming next is the awesome –

Let It Ride – A funky blues feel comes in that gives us sweet clean guitar crunches that give us that dirty funk feel as this track really opens. The funky rhythm section is handing us punchy beats that have bass kicks that give us a sludgy funk feel as Susan drops the hammer and pushes through with cool licks that are just taking this track to another place with it’s intense feel and swagger, the rhythm section is kicking in the doors with solid snare drum beats that give this track a dark, sludgy, blues feel that is wrapped in colossal vocals that are giving off soaring gritty tones that are letting the colossal guitar work take us on down the road with slick, clean fingerwork that sizzles as it pours from this incredible record as we sit up and take notice of this celebrated musician as she marks a welcome return with this awesome slab of blues soaked rock n roll that ticks all the boxes and then some, we roll into the final couple of tonight’s show and really feel the warmth oozing from the stage as Susan again thanks us for coming out and showing up for her and the boys, hitting us next is –

Blind Woman – A real sludgy guitar riff pours from the stage as Susan and the boys get all down and dirty with us tonight as this foot stomping groover opens and soars with it’s cool beat. The funking bassline is coming at us with ease as it drops meaty funk grooves that let the track breathe and really gets us swaying from side to side as this fantastic track unfolds with sweet punchy snare drum beats as the cymbal crashes hit us with all they have. The sweet clean guitar solo is just wrapping itself around us as we get the best of this awesome musician as she takes us to another place with her soulful blues soaked vocals that work so well in this arrangement. The boys are bringing the groove as they deliver punchy beats and sweet, deep basslines that allow Susan to rip it up at the front of the stage, we come to the last track of the night as Susan thanks us for allowing her and the boys to entertain us tonight as she steps forward and brings us –

Skin & Bones – A real crisp toe tapping tempo flows in as Susan and the boys bring the groove as this funky number comes in and lets the track unfold as we get to grips with this awesome track. The deep bassline is wrapping itself around us as the band comes armed with plenty of groove and soul for sure. There is a real depth to this track as we feel the toe tapping beats fill the air as the band builds and builds with real intensity as the place is just watching in awe as she rips up the playbook and brings us a killer riff that allows her to shred with ease as the tempo kicks in and brings us cool snare drum beats that work so well with the epic bass as it drops meaty funk tones all through the track. The band brings the tempo as Susan steps forward and begins to hit us with sweet, mellow licks that showcase her immense talent as she sits at the front of the stage and just plays with ease and drops the tone slightly to allow us to feel the groove wander freely throught the venue tonight, this has been a real masterclass in guitar playing for sure as Susan brought the heat to us tonight with her classy playing and soulful vocals that were capped off by two incredible musicians that knew how to play.

Susan Santos –

Susan Santos – Vocals / Guitar

Costa Tonaredi – Bass

Ross Gordon – Drums

Setlist –

Snakebite

Have Mercy

Dusty Road

Fever

What I Want

In Trouble

Rattlesnake