Only a matter of months since Joanne Shaw Taylor’s last appearance in the region, the British singer, songwriter and guitarist is back on Tyneside once again as a new chapter in her career unfolds.

It goes without saying that Joanne Shaw Taylor has been gaining momentum on both sides of the pond in recent times. JST’s Kevin Shirley produced 2016 studio album Wild gained widespread critical acclaim and even resulted in an appearance on the Later With Jools Holland programme for the Midland’s originating guitar virtuoso.

Taylor closed out 2018 by bringing the touring cycle for Wild to a close. At the end of last year we learnt of the imminent release of Reckless Heart, however, the tracks were largely kept under wraps on her last UK run. This in turn built on and heightened the overall anticipation for the new record.

Tonight Joanne Shaw Taylor makes a welcome return to the North East, arriving this time around with a new album and also a new bass player to boot. This evening’s venue is the Boiler Shop in Newcastle, being the former workspace of inventor Robert Stephenson the room is rich in both character and history.

Having kept her freshest tracks under lock and key for some time it’s no surprise at all that JST would be eager to showcase the Reckless Heart album this evening, and that she does. Joanne kicks off the proceedings with an emphatic airing of recent single “In The Mood” and groove-heavy blues rocker “Creepin’”, which in turn sets the tone for the night ahead.

Taylor very quickly turns up the heat with the incredibly infectious “Wrecking Ball” and “Let It Burn”. The latter of which being one of the many tracks that highlight the incredible partnership which JST has struck up with Hammond wizard Bob Fridzema. The pair play off each other effortlessly throughout the night, often making way for one another. This is particularly the case during the epic “Time Has Come”.

During the course of the evening, Taylor performs seven of the eleven tracks from the Reckless Heart album. One of the highlights of which being “I’ve Been In Love With You”. Joanne sinks her heart and soul into this spellbinding slow blues number. The song builds as it ebbs and flows and features some passionate playing and smouldering fretwork Taylor. A future classic in the JST songbook for sure.

Further new material featured in the fifteen song set includes the up-tempo and somewhat funky “New 89”, the beautiful title track itself along with a thunderous performance of recent single “Bad Love”. Usually, we are accustomed to seeing Joanne Shaw Taylor brandishing her trademark Fender Telecaster or Gibson Les Paul but during this song, in particular, JST performs entirely on a very rock and roll looking Gibson SG, and it’s effective indeed.

A two-song encore featuring a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Mud Honey” and the instrumental title track to Joanne’s 2009 debut album “White Sugar” bring the show back to the start of JST’s career.

On the strength of tonight’s show, it’s fair to say that Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to go from strength to strength, there is simply no stopping her.

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Joanne Shaw Taylor
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Event Date: 24-Mar-2019

About The Author

Adam Kennedy is an experienced music photographer based in northeast England. He has been shooting concerts for several years, predominantly with the band Vintage Trouble. In 2013, he was one of their tour photographers, covering the UK and Ireland tour including the headline shows and as opening act for The Who. As an accomplished concert photographer, Adam's work has been featured in print such as, Classic Rock Blues Magazine, Guitarist Magazine, Blues in Britain magazine, broadcast on the MDA Telethon on ABC Television in the US, used in billboard advertising for Renaissance Hotels in the US, and featured online via music blogs such as Uber Rock and Guitar Planet. He is also the official photographer at Newcastle Rock and Blues Club.