It was just a year since Samantha Fish last played in Manchester and what a storming night it was and definitely one of the gigs of 2022 (see my previous review of the show). So whilst I was excited to be seeing her again, this time it would be with Jesse Dayton. How would it compare to that amazing night?
As the band hit the stage and Samantha strutted out dressed in a black leather outfit, red high heels with matching neck scarf hitting the first chords of the MC5 song ‘Kick Out the Jam’ you knew it was going to be a good night. Straight in to ‘Death Wish’, which is my stand out track from the album of the same name. The band are on fire and Sam and Jesse are talking no prisoners tonight, this song is even better live.
Jesse’s playing is sublime and the interplay between him and Sam was a delight to witness. They were clearly having a great time up there, bouncing off each other. There was so many highlights tonight and ‘Hello Stranger’ was definitely one of them. With the chilled vibe and the unique voice that Sam has, she was clearly having such a good time. The cover of ‘I Put a Spell on You’ was simply breath-taking, with Sam’s voice shimmering with passion, before absolutely letting rip on her white SG.
‘Bulletproof’ was epic with some great guitar duelling with Sam on the Cigar box and Jesse on a mean tele. Don’t we just love some distorted slide cigar box – this was off the scale the energy was immense.
Only one song survived from that epic night a year ago and that was ‘Bulletproof’. This was a totally different show and I really respect it when an artist pushes the boundaries and changes it around. Did it work? Hell yeah, it certainly did. Sam certainly controlled the show tonight, but Jesse was more than just a supporting role, and he certainly added to the experience. We got the whole of the ‘Death Wish Blues’ album and nine covers and the one Samantha Fish number. It was certainly a show I am glad I caught and I urge you all to catch this unique experience.
