Elkie Brooks – Live – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – backlinestudios / rlnmusic

Review By Darren McIntyre images By Scott Anderson

Elaine Bookbinder aka Elkie Brooks is a rock / blues / jass singer from Salford, Lancashire, England who has been active on the music scene since 1960. She started out as vocalist in bands Dada & Vinegar Joe but later became a solo artist in her own right, Elsie is a Gold Badge Award of Merit winner from British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors( BASCA), now The Ivors Academy. Elkie has been referred to as The British Queen of Blues, Elkie has supported the likes of The Beatles, Small Faces & The Animals and continues to tour to this day, Elkie has given us 20 studio albums and is currently working on a new record slated for release in the near future. Tonight Elkie brings her unmistakeable voice to the stunning Glasgow Royal Concert Hall so please sit back as I take us through this awesome lady’s back catalogue of hits that will surely get us up on our feet. As I take my seat in the sold out auditorium you can feel the buzz swirling all around as we await the arrival of The British Queen Of Blues, the lights dim the tension rises and off we go as Elkie and band make there way on stage, we get rapturous applause as Elkie takes the plaudits and cheers and steps up to the mic to say Hi Glasgow and off we go –

Goin Back – A nice groove comes from the stage as Elkie unleashes her incredible vocals on the fine folk of Glasgow as we sit and appreciate the quality oozing from this genuine star. We have a dark, sultry bassline that is flowing effortlessly through the track as the place just appreciates the vocal tones that Elkie has shown us from the getgo, the rhythm section is bringing us a real solid snare drum kick as the boys come together and really bring her music to life. The guitar licks are filling the venue and work so very well with Elkie’s tone as they ease quietly through this stunning venue as we applaude loudly and holler our appreciation for this timeless musician, we stroll into –

Learn To Love – Sweet clean keys ripple through the intro as the soulful, blues affair comes to life as Elkie lets us feel the jazz tone come at us as we just revel in the softness of this fabulous entertainer. The sultry, mellow bassline drops fantastic tones all through the track as we just allow ourselves to get lost in the vocals as I can tell you they have lost none of their sparkle as Elkie sizzles with every note that rolls off the stage. Elkie wanders around the stage giving a nod to each musician as they deliver a faultless groove that has this place moving and shaking let me tell you, Elkie waves to the audience and casually hears ‘We Love You Elkie’ and she yells out I Love You Too to the deloght of the crowd, Elkie thanks us for our unwavering support throughout the years as she explains that tonight is a walk down memory lane and a nod to some fantastic musicians she has worked with throughout the years as we are led into –

Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – We feel the blues, jazz effect from this track as the sweet cool piano tones ripple through the auditorium as Elkie leans in and really socks it to us with this classic cover song. The boys are bringing the blues with their killer tones as the rhythm section comes through with a real soulful beat that just elevates this awesome piece of music, the dark, brooding bassline is wrapping itself around this incredible arrangement and Elkie lets her soaring, melodic vocals really get this song moving as we feel the classy tones linger all through the Royal Concert Hall tonight. There is just something spectacular listening to an icon do a track justice and boy let me tell you Elkie brings it in waves, up next comes –

Warm & Tender – Elkie steps up to the mic and brings her powering, soulful vocals to this toe tapping track as we are singing along to this classic track that is getting the full treatment tonight. We have classic keys that are delivering a real blues, jazz tone that suits the arrangement perfectly, a punchy saxophone groove is glistening in the background as we are just getting warmed up as Elkie really digs deep and uses her full range throughout this glistening number. The place is just brimming as I look around and see smiling, joyful faces that are loving every minute of this sensational night of music, chat and jokes that are all part of this stunning evening with one of Britain’s best loved performers, we move onto a real classic in the form of –

Fool( If You Think It’s Over) – There is a real carnival feel to the intro of this classic as Elkie steps up to the mic as the intro music lets us know what’s coming. A deep bass kick brings the groove to Glasgow tonight as Elkie lets rip with one of all time hits that just take us back to a real happy time, the keys are rippling in the background as sazophone tones fill the air as we just clap along and fell the energy in the room as we are on our feet and just letting Elkie take us on a journey through time as we just can’t take our eyes off the stage as she owns the night with her incredible vocals that bring an instant calm to the fine folk in the venue tonight, the place is just feeling the love for this 80 year old singer who has lost non of her sparke and poise as she takes us on the journey with her, next up –

The Sunshine After The Rain – Elkie steps up and utters the first word and the place goes into full on singing mode as she jokes it’s good when I know the words and the place erupts with laughter. Elkie introduces her band which brings loud applause as she tells us that it is her pleasure to work with such accomplished musicians, she carries on and flows freely through this real toe tapping number that has a few people in the crowd up on their feet. The tempo is a real smooth affair as the boys bring a real punchy, rocky groove to Glasgow as the snare drum punches fill the air as Elkie’s effortless vocals really hit the spot in this classic number that really pops tonight, we are making real headway in the set us we stroll into –

Don’t Cry Out Loud – A nice keys intro lets this classic come to life as Elkie grabs the mic and begins to tell her own story in this classic number as the place falls silent as we just feel the emotion pouring from the stage tonight. The rhythm section is commanding the room as it brings sweet cymbal snaps that work so well with the powering bassline that is hitting us with real mellow tones that let the track erupt into life, the snare drum beats are letting the tone work so well as there are people with their arms in the air swaying from side to side as the track just builds and builds as Elkie lets her soulful vocals take this track to another level as we just sing along and really feel the track wrap itself around us as we watch Elkie command this sold out audience before we roll into –

Make You Feel My Love – Smooth saxophone tones flow effortlessly from the stage as this classic number comes to life as Elkie steps forward and lets this classic fill the Concert Hall tonight. Elkie’s vocals are just incredible as they really tell their own story as she has never sounded better let me tell you, we get sweet, clean piano notes to accompany this classic track that is letting the saxophone bring the jazz effect as we watch in awe as this incredible musician really defies age, time with her outstanding vocals that are just a testament to her resiliance, musicality and test of time that she is still doing what she is doing and doing it with ease and poise, next up –

For All We Know – Snare drum brushes bring this timeless classic to our attention as Elkie steps up and really shows us her tone with impressive vocals that are just flowing effortlessly through Glasgow tonight.

She takes us on a mesmerising journey as she lets the vocals show themselves as the band come in with impeccable timing and really showcase this classic tune, Elkie’s vocals are just soaring through the venue and letting us all join her as she takes us through a timeless piece of music that is putting smiles on everyone’s face tonight for sure, there is a real jazz calmness about this track but I can tell you that Elkie Brooks is owning this track for sure, we are hurtling through the first set as we roll into –

I Put A Spell On You – Elkie steps up to the mic and is cracking a couple of jokes and is telling us how good it is to be out performing and being in front of audiences to tell her story and to thank her fans for sticking with her for all these years, this draws a huge cheer and ripples of applause and again someone shouts ‘We Love You Elkie’ and she says I didnae understand you but thank you. There is a real softness to this track as Elkie puts her own spin on this classic track as she lets her incredible vocals wrap themselves around this timeless piece, the musicians are just so in time as they come in with deep mellow bassline tones that are just breathtaking as they really let the track cut loose. Saxophone tones are littered throughout the track and really give it some depth, swagger and tone as the rhythm section comes at us with cymbal taps and a cool bass kick that controls the groove as this jazz, blues track leaves it’s mark on Glasgow tonight, we are coming to the end of the first set with a classic –

Nights In White Satin – Elkie lets the track open with a sizzling guitar lick that really allows the track to flourish as her smooth, mellow vocals set the tone as we roll through this incredible track. The snare drum / bass kick combo is holding the groove as Elkie’s vocals fill this grand hall as she walks around the stage and lets the boys really capture the essence of this incredible piece of music, we get a real mesmerising guitar solo that does this track justice let me tell you. The piano tones are really giving the track depth as we lose ourselves in the dramatics of this spellbinding track as Elsie lets her vocals wrap themselves around us as she shows no signs of slowing down, incredible rendition that sends shivers down my spine, we head for the last track of the first set in the form of –

Lilac Wine – Elkie chats with the crowd and again thanks us for coming to see her in this grand setting as she lets the music take over with this absolute classic. The place is silent as she lets her vocals do the talking in this classic arrangement before the boys come in with cool piano tones that just flow freely through the hall as we tap out feet to this awesome track that is being given the Elkie Brooks treatment, this has been an incredible night of music, chat, jokes and laughter that will certainly take some beating for sure. The vocals are stunning and are just taking this track skywards as she really delivers solid vocals with ease as the rhythm section follows suit and delivers a real solid snare drum beat that lets Elkie command the room with her soaring tones that have the audience in the palm of her hands. We catch our breathe and take stock of an incredible rifst half that wets our appetite for the second half, after a short 20 minute recess Elkie returns and we strap ourselves in for round two as we kick off with –

No More The Fool – There is a real sense of tension in the air as this classic track comes to life as a pounding bass drum brings the depth to this incredible classic as Elkie lets the vocals soar through. A soulful bassline drops a mellow tone that runs all the way through the track as the sweet keys let the track deliver a nice haunting tone that really lets us feel the emotion oozing from this incredible track, we are being treated to something spectacular tonight I can tell you as these vocals are just incredible. The tone, swagger and musicality are just timeless as we are let the vocals flow freely through the venue and let the boys deliver a faultless groove that just shows why Elkie Brooks is still filling venues all over the country, Elkie takes the applause as she tells us that she has been working on something that she hopes will be on the new record as she takes us into –

Human – The track begins with a deep full on bassline that hits us with delicious tones that really give this track depth, soul and emotion as Elkie lets her mellow vocals take this track to another place. The whole arrangement is just awesome as it really suits her tone as the boys come in with cool sax tones that just elevate the whole composition somewhat, the vocals are just silky smooth and really let us see why this lady is a national treasure as she just dives straight in and delivers a real punchy version that showcases her vocal range this is nothing short of spectacular, the place goes nuts as she reaches a real high note that just shimmies all the way through the venue, we kick into a real classic –

Pearl’s A Singer – The crowd are clapping in unison as Elkie lets her vocals do the talking in this classic number that has us all singing along to every word as piano tones are rippling through the track. The place is going nuts for this fantastic number as the snare drum taps let the groove open and let the boys drop killer bass tones all through the arrangement, I can say that this is one of my gigs of the year as it has shown us that as a musician she has lost none of her sparkle, sass and just owns the whole piece. Elkie stops in the middle of the song to tell us that she has been singing this particular track for 48 years, not only that but her husband Trevor(Sound Engineer) has been listening to it for 48 years which draws a huge cheer from the crowd, we begin again and the place is clapping along as Elkie belts out the notes and we get a killer saxophone solo that is just incredible, up next –

Red House – Elkie tells us of the time she met Jimi in a pub in Sheffield and she was at the bar waiting to be served and Jimi turns round and says hey your that lady Elkie Brooks, they chatted for a little bit and she says I would like to cover that song one day and he says maybe, well here we go and strap yourself in as we are about to take off with this classic number, there is a real rocky, blues feel to this track as the boys are digging deep to really let us feel the intensity to this classic number. We get a sizzling guitar lick that compliments the track so well as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as the band just give it all they have with slick precision that has just brought the track to life, we stroll into –

I’m Tore Down – A cool Hammond style keys intro comes to life as the rhythm section gives us a punchy snare drum beat that just lets the track break free as the deep bassline drops killer tones that really let the track breathe. Elkie lets her jazz style vocals wrap themselves around this honky tonk blues track as a cool guitar riff oozes from the stage as the boys really enjoy themselves as we holler along and stamp our feet to this real infectious number that has got the crowd on their feet, the keys are sizzling and giving us a real fun ky feel as we are getting into the groove with Elkie as she lets herself go and really gives the vocals a workout as we stroll into –

Baby What You Want Me To Do – A crisp gritty guitar lick erupts from the stage as the snare drum punches really let this track cut loose as we get another honky tonk blues track that just pops. Piano tones are just giving the track that killer beat as we let Elkie bellow out in her usual style as the deep funky bassline hits us with dark, delicious grooves that are just insane, the place is rockin and rollin now as we are just hitting the groove with this awesome arrangement. Elkie holds this not for what seems an eternity but boy that is something else as she is just taking it all in her stride, this is just a real pleasure to watch and review as she has lost none of her vocals, swagger and sass as we stroll into –

Long John Blues – A killer bassline drops in and kicks off this blues section of the night that is all about a dentist that has his wicked way with his clients which makes the audience howl with laughter. The story is just awesome as the music comes with a cool saxophone section that is wrapped in a killer bassline that is just on the money, the rhythm section is hitting us with snare drum brushes that really elevates the tone as the story is just unfolding with every note that Elkie is singing, the track is short, sharp and full of swagger, sass and groove that takes us onto an absolute killer cover in the form of –

Purple Rain – The track kicks off with haunting, bluesy saxophone tones that are accompanied by snare drum taps tthat let Elkie bring this absolute classic to life as she puts her own spin on the arrangement. The boys are just playing their hearts out as we listen to the musicality that is just wrapping itself around us tonight in Glasgow, the whole night has been an absolute joy from start to finish as Elkie has just delivered big time with every song that she has brought us tonight. The place has risen to it’s feet as the boys just take us home with their incredible musicality that has allowed Elkie to put smiles on faces and send us home with fond memories that will live with us for a long time, last track of the night comes in the form of –

We’ve Got Tonight – The place is sitting in silence as Elkie steps forward and belts out this killer track that just showcases how incredible this lady is as the cool piano tones accompany the groove which is just awesome. The rhythm section is controlling the groove that is flowing effortlessly through the venue as we sit quietly and feel the emotion oozing from the stage tonight as the boys just give it all they have as we just let the band deliver a faultless arrangement that has great vocals to let us leave and go into the night with a smile on our face and warm thoughts in our hearts.

Elkie Brooks –

Elkie – Vocals

Tim – Guitar

Michael – Guitar

Brian – Bass

Thomas – Keys

Michael – Sax / Keys

Jack – Drums

Set 1 –

Goin Back

Learn To Love

Do Right Woman, Do Right Man