Sari Schorr Live Voodoo Rooms

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Review By Darren McIntyre Photos by Scott Anderson

Sari Beth Schorr is a blues / rock singer songwriter from New York, New York who was born to a father who was a pilot in the US AirForce & a mother who was a fashion model. Sari began her own journey into music with classical training at both high school & college and was advised to pursue a career in opera, in view of her 5 – octave range and the strength of her singing. In 2015 Sari was inducted into the New York Blues Hall Of Fame & in 2016 she gave us her debut record A Force Of Nature, followed that with her Sophomore record Never Say Never and again followed that with Live In Europe in 2020. Fortunately Sari is someone I call a friend and I have been lucky enough to catch her live @ The Caves in Edinburgh, Wildfire @ Wanlockhead & Winterstorm Troon & was lucky enough to bring her to Glasgow’s Classic Grand with my friend and promoter Peter from ShockCityProductions, Sari is on tour for a short UK run and tonight she stops off @ Voodoo Rooms in Auld Reekie and I am pleased to say that Sari invited us tocome review her opening night so please sit back as I take us through this spellbinding experience that has to be seen / heard to be believed. The venue is filling up nicely as Sari & band take to the stage to rapturous applause as they dive straight into –

Maybe I’m Fooling – Deep full on bassline drops epic funk tones from the getgo as the rhythm section brings the groove with punchy bass kicks as the cymbal snaps allow this track to breathe. Sari lets her soaring blues soaked vocals take the lead as the rasping guitar licks really elevate this track to another level, the whole track is just giving us that warm fuzzy feeling throughout the whole arrangement as we lose ourselves in this incredible night of blues that was on another level for sure, Ash steps up and brings the licks as he just transports himself into a trance and just lets go and delivers a real phenomenal guitar solo that is something to savour as we watch in awe as he just rips up the place before we move onto –

A’int Got No Money – Sizzling guitar licks pour into this incredible track as Ash really brings the groove to us big time. Sari soars in and offloads with blistering vocals that are just incredible as they let this blues soaked piece come to life. Snare drum punches are flowing freely through the entire arrangement as the killer bass notes drop colossal grooves all over this killer track as we get incredible licks which are littered throughout this stylish blues rocker track. Ash is quite simply in a league of his own as he steps up to the plate and drives us home ward with slick clean licks that are filling this place and really letting this awesome composition tell it’s own story for sure, this is a real crowd pleaser that just cements this incredible artist as she makes Voodoo Rooms all her own tonight as she delivers a heart felt storming blues driven set that is just bubbling to the surface, the crowd go nuts as Sari thanks us for coming out and really making her feel welcome, we move onto –

Demolition Man – Sari bursts through with soulful vocals that just light up this impressive venue as the track builds and builds with each musician really bringing their A – Game to this fabulous track. The epic bassline is wrapping itself around this fantastic arrangement as the rhythm section hits us with solid snare drum grooves that work perfectly in this foot stomping beast echoes all around us and really take this track to another place for sure. Ash Wilson breaks cover and just shreds for his life as this colossal arrangement erupts with a wall of slick well crafted licks that let this incredible singer / songwriter really bring the goods tonight in Auld Reekie, what a track, what a voice and what a way to bring her opening night to us as we just feel the love oozing from the stage tonight as we flow straight into –

Ready For Love – A sweet cool rhythm section comes at us as this soulful melodic track suddenly bursts into life as Sari lets her colossal vocals bring this mesmerising track to us tonight. The cool slick guitar riffs are filling the hall tonight as Ash drops his signature licks all through this awesome piece of music, a dark, brooding bassline is handing us meaty notes that just deliver a killer funk notion that is just simply on the money. The place is really enjoying tonight’s show as this incredible musician has to be heard to be totally appreciated as she glides around the stage and oozes sensuality, creativity and just lets us know that she is here bringing us the best blues, soul show in town tonight. We are witnessing something special right here as the band surrounds her with epic grooves that just elevate this classy musician to another level for sure, we stop for a second andget some chat from Sari as she thanks us for coming out to spend the night with her and the boys as we rock into a new offering –

Highway 69 – A rockier edgy groove comes at us as this snare drum driven beast erupts with mellow basslines that just let this track come for us. The punchy groove laden track bursts into life as Sari brings her infectious vocals that instantly stop you in your tracks as this toe tapping rock n roller track really builds, we are getting slick, crisp guitar licks that let this track soar as we get a real funky roaring groove that lets us know that Sari is firing on all cylinders tonight. The guys are really up for the show tonight as we get a heavier, funky tone that is filling every corner of this venue tonight let me tell you and the crowd are loving every minute of this incredible artist as she showcases her versatility and range as we feel the energy pouring from the stage tonight, we are witnessing something incredible tonight as Sari and the boys pull out all the stops to make sure we are getting the very best that the blues rock world has to offer before we stroll into –

The Circle Is Complete(Robin Trower) – A cool blues groove wanders freely through the intro as Sari lets her incredible vocals kick the night off as the boys come in and let this night take us to another place as we get down and dirty with this incredible musician. The rhythm section is commanding the room with solid beats that brings us a punchy snare drum beat as the slick timeless guitar licks come like a juggernaut from Ash as he really digs the groove as this track just kicks up the dirt and lets this awesome 4 piece deliver a faultless masterclass of killer music that is food for the soul let me tell you. The insane vocals are pouring from the stage as Sari lights up the room with her soulful tones that let us know that Sari is back, bigger, stronger and ready to take on all comers right now, the place erupts in a hail of applause as Sari gracefully takes the plaudits before we move into –

The Distance (Robin Trower)- There is a real sludgy groove to this punchy groover track as Ash brings a slick, dark guitar lick that really lets this track breathe. The rhythm section is bringing strong snare drum punches as the cymbal snaps allow the track to grow with ease as we witness the colossal fingerwork from Ash Wilson as he lets the groove carry us along effortlessly. The soaring blues soaked vocals are just lighting up the room as Sari settles into her stride and takes us on her musical journey as we feel the tone shift with ease as the full on bassline delivers a dark, delicious groove that is just allowing the funk to flow freely from the stage tonight, we are witnessing something special tonight as Sari is just soaring with her flawless vocals that are surrounded by fantastic musicians as they let these new track warm the soul as we stop ourselves to check what is going down tonight, next up is –

Joyful Sky(Robin Trower) – This is a track that instantly settles you into your groove as the mesmerising vocals hit you like a thunderbolt and just let you feel the Full Force of this towering musician as she grabs our attention. The killer bassline is just wrapping us in deep, soulful, bluesy grooves that are letting the musicality surround us with depth, attitude, soul and a world class vocalist that needs no introduction. The whole track is just a phenomenal arrangement that adds a new dimension to this incredible vocalist as we watch and listen to the slick fingerwork as Ash cuts loose and really delivers impeccable chords that just fill this place with energy and drive as we let this colossal night of blues wash over us, next up is –

I Just Wanna Make Love To You – Love To You – We take the tempo up a notch as the band bring a real funk laden soulful groove to us with deep pounding snare drum punches that tell their own story. The slick guitar riffs are giving this track a real edgy funk groove as colossal basslines are hitting us with a funk groove that really takes this track in another direction. We shift the tempo a little as the deep cymbal crashes and bass kicks control the depth of the track as Ash comes in with crisp clean licks that allow the track to really build and give us a real lesson in blues rock that is just bubbling under the surface as the boys crash the party and hit us with a tidal wave of blues that is just off the scale, the tempo changes and we get epic notes with a sludgy groove that allows this arrangement to take us wherever we need to be, we come to my favourite track by Sari as it just tells me how special this lady really is –

Damn The Reason – This is a real favourite of mine as we get the full force of this incredible artist as she blows the roof off of this venue tonight with her smouldering tone. Snare drum punches combine with cymbal snaps as the rhythm section builds and builds and mixes well with a real killer guitar section that litters this absolute killer track and allows it to really flow with intent. Every so often you find a track that just transports you off to another place and let me tell you this is it, we are feeling the tone, drive and incredible vocals just blow us all away as the deliver a dark, soulful groove that is finished with a sizzling guitar display that really gives this track a soulful edgy feel as the riffs engulf us and really tell the story, Ash is having some guitar lead, guitar, cab issues and I think it’s because he absolutely ripped the life of his beloved guitar with his soaring solos and exquisite fingerwork, as Mark (TM) comes up wi the replacement we get back on track as we stroll into –

Ordinary Life – Classy tones ooze from the stage as this melodic number brings emotion, depth and a real soulful feel as we watch in awe of this incredible lady as she gives us fantastic vocals that lead onto fabulous tones that are just on the money. The rhythm section brings bass kicks and cymbal snaps that work well with the fantastic bass tones that are flowing effortlessly through this thought provoking number as Sari’ s incredible vocals really grab you by ther scruff of the neck and give us goosebumps as we stand in silence and really take in all that is being laid down before us tonight, we have undoubtedly one of the finest vocalists in the world tonight really bringing the house down with her fantastic tone and direction, we move onto –

Black Betty – The unmistakeable dark glossy guitar picks bring this incredible piece of music to life as we stand motionless and await the raw edgy groove that is about to come at us. Sari’s incredible vocals flow effortlessly through the intro as we ready ourselves for this incredible track to suddenly explode into life, the rhythm section comes through and hits us with solid snare drum beats that have cymbal crashes that really give this track depth, attitude, swagger and a real sense of belonging as the musicianship unwraps a real killer groove that is wrapped in the silky smooth guitar work as Ash really brings the tone that is wrapped in the sensual mesmerising vocals of the wonderful Sari Schorr as she cuts through this track with ease, we have been treated to Ash’s incredible guitar work, has a bass lesson from Chris and it has been rounded off with a colossal rhythm solo as Phil in his cool hat and glasses brings the groove with his precision tones that lead us onto –

Valentina – A real crowd pleaser that gets the juices flowing as the band hits the groove with this pounding number that allows Sari to really deliver a soaring vocals arrangement that is just incredible. The crisp heavy ended guitar riffs are ploughing through the venue tonight as Ash lets rip with a slick clean display that holds our attention with every note that comes our way tonight. Ash steps up and shreds like nothing I have seen before as he loses himself with the raw energy that we have come to know him for, the rhythm section is handing us strong meaty grooves that just let this monster break free and deliver a faultless track that is just mindblowing,Chris is standing stage left and is just going about his business as he ploughs in and delivers epic basslines that just send shivers down your spine, we are hurtling towards the business end of this colossal set as Sari stands centre stage and just thanks us for coming out on the first night of her year ending tour and tells us that it has been an absolute pleasure to spend a cold but truly entertaining night right here in Edinburgh which draws a huge cheere, we move onto –

Stormy Monday – A solid snare drum punch rings out as the deep bass kicks flow effortlessly into the hall as this cool track bursts into life as Ash shreds away in a world of his own as we watch with sheer envy as we feel the blues ripple through the Voodoo Rooms tonight, there is a real nice softness to this track as we welcome the soulful melodic vocals as Sari leans in and brings her colossal vocals to this toe tapping blues filled monster. The band have been on fire tonight as they have really upped their game each time I witness the phenomenon that is Sari Schorr as they just find more ways to stretch the envelope with their epic musicality as it reaches every person in the grand ballroom as we click our fingers, close our eyes and feel the blues wrap itself around us as we really get into this incredible band and what they are all about as we stroll happily into the last track of the night that is a real doozie –

The classic Led Zep track erupts into life as Sari lets her vocals do the talking as this foot stomping rock n roll classic gets a make over with the boys as we end tonight on a real high as the band really digs deep. The guitar licks are just soaring as this classy beast brings the groove to Edinburgh tonight as the band celebrates an institution with it’s nod to a real gem of our rock society. The bassline is dropping sweet, deep funking grooves that are letting us know that we have just witnessed something special here tonight. The place is swaying from side to side, throwing their horns in the air and just really getting behind this incredible musician as she thanks us for being with her and the boys tonight as she gracefully exits the stage and wanders backstage to relax, enjoy and just drift off with what has been an incredible evening of blues soaked rock n roll that will be with me for a long time.

Sari Schorr –

Sari Schorr – Lead Vocals

Ash Wilson – Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals

Chris Cliff – Bass / Backing Vocals

Phil Wilson – Drums

Setlist –

Maybe I’m Fooling

Ain’t Got No Money

Demolition Man

Ready For Love

Highway 69

Circle Is Complete