Curtis Stigers – Live – Mackintosh Queens Hall – redsandpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Curtis Stigers is a jazz singer / songwriter / guitarist / saxophone player originally from Hollywood, California but now resides in Biose, Idaho, Curtis began his career as a teenager playing in rock & blues bands but received an education in Clarinet & Saxophone.

Curtis has worked with the likes of Elton John, Eric Clapton, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers & Joe Cocker to name but a few, Curtis has given us 12 studio albums and he has just dropped his new offering Songs From My Kitchen Vol 1, to coincide with the release Curtis embarked on a UK Tour and tonight he arrives in Glasgow on the last night of this incredible journey. I had a chat with Curtis and informed him that the last time I saw him was 1992 @ SECC when he was a young up and coming musician with floppy hair and a hawaiian shirt which made him laugh, back to business this building is incredible with it’s ornate architecture which is stunning as you would expect. The place is rammed with the age range varied but they were expecting something spectactular tonight and boy we are in for a treat, the night unfolded as Curtis sauntered onto the stage on his own to bring us some solo acoustic number to wet our appetites for what was to come tonight. As the applause rung out and Curtis put his hands together we were ready to go first up –

Until You Were Gone – The night kicked off with Curtis strumming on his Acoustic guitar and really sets the tone for tonight’s entertainment as the crowd sit silent and fixed solely on the stage and Curtis. The arrangement fits perfectly into the venue as the acoustics are just incredible to say the least as we are just letting the gravelly, jazz, vocals wash over us as this opening track really grabs you and transports us to somewhere else as we settle into this awesome night of stories, chat and jazz infused music that will certainly be one of my gigs of the year, Curtis takes the applause and thanks us for coming out and supporting live music as we just clap loudly and appreciate the classy, blues, jazz man from Boise, Idaho, next up is the classic –

Your’e All That Matters To Me – The tone is just exceptional as Curtis leans in and lets us hear the saxophone that leads into the soulful, melodic vocal as the place gets out their phones to capture this arrangement that just pops. The tone of his vocals is just insane as after all this time he has lost none of his charm, charisma and wit as he interacts with the audience and hasks us to be kind as he is getting old, rusty and forgetful. The track sounds as good as it did all those years ago as he flows effortlessly through the song and really captures the moment as we sit glued to the stage as he just rolls back the years, as I said the night was filled with stories, jokes and many many sayings, Curtis began talking about Covid and the effect it had on the world and him which got a huge round of applause, the night rolled in and Curtis took us onto another story about this track that really tugged at the heart strings as this was about meeting his real father 13 years ago –

Good To Know You – The tone, tempo are mesmerising as this short, sharp, poignant track kicks off with the soulful, melodic vocals as they let the track unfold and really wrap itself around the crowd. The words are hitting home as we realise that this was the moment he was introduced to his real Father and it just pulls at your thoughts. The track is a real toe tapping blues tinged number that just flows freely through this fantastic building that is just captivating let me tell you, coming at us are the full band as the boys enter the stage and take their places as we kick into –

Centrepiece – An incredible upright bass gets proceedings underway as the dark, moody tones fill the venue and off we go as the sultry piano blues style keys linger into the night sky as the boys really kick in the doors and give it to us. The rhythm section is hitting us with cool cymbal taps as the snare drum kicks let the groove come to life, Curtis blows on the saxophone and really lets himself go as the full jazz combo really sizzles and the crowd are on their feet as this incredible track really pops as we sit back and feel the upright double bass do it’s thing and really capture our attention. The boys are really cooking as they compliment Curtis and his jazz saxophone groove as the incredible piano just hits us with everything it has, this is just a real pleasure to review as I am getting lost in the groove to tell you the truthe, we are really getting our groove on as roll into a real classic from one of Scotlands sons Paul Buchanan as Curtis puts his spin on the incredible –

Let;s Go Out Tonight – Curtis tells us that this is the saddest song of all time as he tells us that it’s about the end of your relationship, the crowd chuckles as we ease into the track with snare drum brushes that accompany the guitar picks as the piano lays down incredible tones. Curtis lets his vocals do the talking as this classic track gets a makeover from this jazzman as he really delivers big time, the ambience is just awesome as you could hear a pin drop as this incredibly mesmerising track leaves it’s mark on the fine people of Glasgow tonight. The vocals are doing this track justice as Curtis really puts his heart and soul into this fantastic arrangement as the boys just sizzle in the background and really let the track move us. Curtis picks up his saxophone and belts out with incredible poise and stature as we feel the depth flowing from this Scottish masterpiece, we have been treated to an incredible night of jazz,blues and soul that just touched every single person in the room tonight, we roll into the classic –

Never Saw A Miracle – Cool piano keys ooze from the stage as Curtis lets his vocals do the talking as this classic track gets the jazz, blues effect as the boys come in with dark, brooding double bass notes that just hold this track together. The interaction between the boys is just incredible as we just flow back to the first time we heard this classic number and just remember what was so good about this number, the place is silent and just fixed on the stage as Curtis and the boys take us to a smokey blues club as we feel the depth of this number grab a hold of us and really take us to a time when we felt every note, vocal and just feel the magic roll into Mackintosh Queens Hall tonight, we are ready for another story as Curtis tells us about a film that came out and he was asked to sing on this soundtrack, the track has been covered by Elvis Costello but was written by Nick Lowe(Curtis says needless to say Nick & I are very, very good friends so here we go –

(What’s So Funny Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding – A cool piano tone opens the track as Curtis snaps his fingers with a cool double bass fill that gets this fantastic track underway. The soulful, mellow vocals pour from the stage as Curtis cuts loose as this familiar track makes itself known to the audience, the place is rocking as many are on their feet and really feeling the funk element move through this real iconic building. Curtis is really bringing the blues to this awesome track as we just enjoy the moment as Curtis picks up his trusty saxophone and gives it to us straight with real jazz inspired tones that puts a smile on everbody’s face, we watch as Curtis & the boys exit the stage for a break so I go in to see Curtis and the boys for a chat and he could’nt have been more welcoming as we chatted about the last time I saw him. Like all my guests I always ask for a line to publish and Curtis gave it to me both barrels as we were chatting about touring, money, best way to travel and he his me with belter and it goes –

Trump Is A C**T & A Bawbag – enough said so there it is in print folks, I get the boys a drink, make my excuses and get ready for the second half and it goes something like this –

John The Revelator(Sons Of Anarchy) – Curtis comes at us with his real gravelly filled vocals that just sets the tone for this real gutsy, blues filled track that stops us in our tracks. The song is a real powerful piece that has the crowd clapping as we feel the depth, energy and pure rawness of this colossal track, the place is silent and just awaiting the chords to flow in and get us moving, guitar chords echo all around us as this bruising number springs to life as we get into this fantastic arrangement. The night has been filled with all sorts of surprises as Curtis held us, let us go, pulled us back in and twisted us round with his sheer depth of music, stories and banter, we stroll into –

Goodbye(Patty Griffin Cover) – The story was about his Mom who he lost some time ago but felt it was a fitting tribute to her, the track kicks off with acoustic strumming that is backed by a cool double bass groove that just elevates this soaring piece to another level. The whole place is silent as Curtis strolls through this real melacholy number that resonates with many in the audience, the arrangement is just incredible as we feel every ounce of pain that Curtis is going through. A fitting tribute to his Mom and a real treat that he chatted very fondly of his Mom Margaret Montrose Stigers, let me tell you it was a real privlige to be here tonight and witness this very special night, we stroll into –

My Babe(Willie Dixon Cover) – The track kicks off with a cool rhythm section that brings the heat as it takes us through our paces as the slick, cool piano keys linger through the intro as we shift through the gears and reall get this funked up version. Curtis brings his swing, jazz vocals that are really getting this track off the ground as the cool double bass leans in and wraps itself around us with it’s real dark, melodic grooves that just tell us that the boys are in full swing. The guitar licks are just insane as we get the full blown blues, jazz effect as the rhythm section comes front and centre as the boys shift through the gears and really take us to another place with this toe tapping number that has everyone up on their feet, the place is going nuts for these 4 dudes as they bring it tonight, we move onto –

Don’t Look At Me That Way – Soulful, blues filled vocals ooze from the stage as a cool, dark double bass brings the groove as we settle back and just listen intently as the boys take it down a notch. The place has been treated to a real night of jazz, blues and soulful melodies that were accompanied by cool chats, fantastic stories that really kept us entertained all night, Curtis picks up his trusty saxophone and belts out real cool notes that just put us at ease as the night wears on we are nearing the business end of the night as Curtis tells us that tomorrow the boys and him head home to their families for a couple of months to recharge, chill, have some beers and do it all again in 2 months, up next –

Fools In Love(Joe Jackson Cover) – Double bass toes fill the air as cymbal taps bring in the rhythm section as this cool cover gets a makeover as the piano keys take this cool arrangement to another place. The vocals are just soothing, soulful and just jazz up this cool number as we swing along to this funky toe tapping groover, the swing kings are back in town and rocking Mackintosh Queens Hall tonight. The musicality is just incredible as we feel the full force of the boys as they deliver a real jazz number that has us all in a tizzy with it’s sheer blues effect that is just taking us to another place as we sail towards the end of the night. I think we are not quite finished yet as we are steered towards a classic –

Wonder Why – Piano keys ooze from the intro as Curtis leans in and lets his soothing, blues filled vocals take this track off down the road as we sit fixed on the stage as he really nails this epic classic. The soothing piano notes are holding the track together as we feel every note filling this grand old hall, the audience as mouthing along to the words as Curtis really brings it tonight. We have been treated to a real nostalgic night of stories, music and thoughts of home as Curtis & the boys are playing out of their skin tonight let me tell you, Curtis again picks up his saxophone and really nails the blues, jazz tones with exquisite playing that is on another level, we are at the end of the night or so we thought as Curtis hits us with a classic –

Things Have Changed(Bob Dylan Cover) – The rhythm section kicks things off with a real solid snare drum beat as piano, double bass join the party as we get on our feet for this classic number. Curtis brings a gravelly blues filled vocal that has us clapping, tapping our toes and really getting into the groove as we feel the energy coming at us with this awesome cover, the piano notes are giving us that real funky, blues effect as the place is in full flow as we get into this fantastic piece. Curtis brings saxophone notes to this finger clicking track that has everybody smiling as we are leaving the venue thinking what have we just witnessed here tonight, as the place erupts in a hail of clapping, whistling, toe tapping Curtis tells us we will see you next time.

Curtis Stigers –

Curtis Stigers – Vocals / Guitar / Saxophone

Cliff Schmidt – Double Bass

Matthew Fries – Piano

Paul Wells – Piano

Setlist –

Until You Were Gone

You’re All That Matters To Me

Good To Know You

Centrepiece

Let’s Go Out Tonight

Never Saw A Miracle