Live Review, Blues In Britain Magazine, Issue 256, April 2023

Cold and foggy the weather might have been, but an appreciative audience’s cockles were truly warmed by a cracking performance from Zoe and her Commotion, one that set its tone with the opening brace of ‘Broken Heart Blues’ and ‘If Only I Could Be with You’. Dedicated to her husband, guitarist Rob Koral (standing next to Zoe and having the grace to look suitably sheepish) ‘My Handsome Man’ was sassy and funky, underpinned by the Hammond-groove of Pete Whittaker (who was on superb form all evening). ‘Angel of Mercy’ was a highlight, the heavy chorus kicking out of the reflective verses, before a sweep through ‘I Need Your Love So Bad’, and into the fabulous ‘Take Me Back’ and ‘Blues Get Off My Shoulder’ both taken from the recently remastered and re-issued Good Times. This first set ended with ‘We’re Going Wrong’, a song drawn from the template of Koral’s beloved Cream, allowing the guitarist a chance to stretch his wings, a fluid extended solo spiralling into the heavens. ‘Too Darn Rich to be Happy’ (chance would be a fine thing) and Koko Taylor’s ‘That’s Why I’m Crying’ lead into a second set that ups the ante and features several scintillating solo spots from Koral and Whittaker. Schwarz’s stage presence and vocal delivery is commanding; she has the innate ability of inhabiting a song perfectly, be it an original or a well-known cover. She’s a lady born to sing the blues. ‘Don’t Hold Back’, ‘People’ and Etta James’ evergreen ‘Something’s got A Hold On Me round off a superlative evening of perfectly-cooked commotion.

words by: Nicholas John (editor)

Gig: Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury, 21st January 2023