Steven Seagal @ King George’s Hall, Blackburn

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Steven Seagal @ King George’s Hall, Blackburn
By John Anson
-This is lancashire-

Hollywood action man Steven Seagal plays the blues
HOLLYWOOD action hero Steven Seagal let his guitar do the talking as he launched an all-out assault on Blackburn with his band Thunderbox on Saturday night.

"You might know him as Steven Seagal," announced backing singer and lead cheerleader Jermaine Paul, "but tonight Blackburn, make some noise for the Mojo Priest."

With that the great man appeared on stage looking as though he'd stepped off the set of Miami Vice in a billowing silk shirt and with trademark ponytail.

The audience - a mixture of blues devotees, those in awe of the martial arts master and the simply curious - rose as one to greet him with almost religious fervour.

Surprisingly for such a formidable character, Seagal was remarkably self-effacing and it was several songs into the set before he even spoke to the audience.

Even then it was a barely whispered "thank you" before the music started up again.

It was a strange experience to see the star of action movies such as Under Siege and Out For A Kill at King George's Hall. But the blues is Seagal's passion.

To be fair, the man is a mean guitarist and in Thunderbox he has a superb band around him. When he sang his voice was gravely and menacing but suited to the Mississippi Delta blues which he clearly loves.

On stage Seagal is not a showman. His enjoyment comes from playing with great musicians and letting an audience hear his take on the blues - most of the set came from his new album Mojo Priest.

It was left to the brilliant backing singers to work the crowd, and boy did they work it. With every song we were urged to make some noise' or get up on your feet' and for the most part the majority complied.

As the 90 minute set went on Seagal appeared to loosen up and began to introduce a couple of numbers with a few words.

But this was a night for the blues - and hard driving, powerful blues it was.

Much energy,
:apeace:
 
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