A mixture of exams, revision and what me and my course mate have termed 'post-dissertation mania' (#postdissertationmania) have provided 'valid' excuses for my lack of blogging over the past month. But now I'm back with a vengeance and was provided with the perfect blogging topic last Friday night in Sheffield's homely West End pub.
The 18-year-old me would have been terrifically disappointed with the 21-year-old me last Friday. I arrived at the West End at 9pm sharp, ordered myself a small lemonade (all the while sighing with gratitude at the lowly £1.05 price tag) and had my bag all ready and prepared for a late-night trip to the library whenever it was deemed acceptable for me to take my leave. The 21-year-old me, however, was unprepared for what was to come as two and a half hours later I remained rooted in the same spot, enthralled by one of the rangiest and most captivating free live performances I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing.
No Jazz Jo are a group of friends from Sheffield Uni (the bassist of which is a good friend of mine and a genuinely all-round good bloke) who formed with the simple intention of getting people moving. They play majority covers infused with a dash of funk and a drop of soul but do have some of their own stuff which is well worth a listen - I've linked my personal favourites 'How It Was' and 'Brace Yourself' below. They're unique in the simple range of artists and genres they cover, their lengthy yet never-a-dull-moment sets and also the nature of their instrumental make-up - a singer, two guitarists, a bassist, keyboardist and the recent inspired edition of a saxophonist. In sadder news, last week's West End gig could be NJJs last for quite a while with the majority of them graduating and moving on to greener pastures or possibly shitter pastures if their expectations of post-uni life are anything like mine.
For now this post can leave you in no doubt that they were a joy to watch. Remembering the entirety of the set-list is tricky but some of my personal highlights included The Killers' 'Jenny was a Friend of Mine', RHCPs 'Dani California' and an old-school cover of Chuck Berry's signature tune 'Johnny B.Goode'. I was assured before the gig this was one of NJJ's finest and it didn't disappoint. While the first half of the set was greeted with mostly-nodded heads, following a quick interval and opportunity for all in attendance to return to the bar (I stingily clung to the last remaining morsels of my lemonade throughout) part two was met with a flurry of dancing and smiles with the room appearing to half in size and double in population.
All in all, a good night had by everyone and I strode to the library just before midnight with the spirit of NJJ right behind me, all the while being hounded by good old 18-year-old-me and his outspoken desire to drink the night away.
Don't they look friendly:
Will be back sporadically this month with the usual format. As usual if anyone has suggestions as to decent music in Yorkshire from whichever genre then you can just give me a shout on twitter, @goldbart1.
Cheers to all readers,
Max
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