Back at The Basement for the first time in 5 years, Joey Vincent (band leader Joe Camilleri’s assumed name) had returned with the stripped down version of The Black Sorrows he has toured with for some time now.

Claude Carranza slips into classic guitar riffs and has come a long way since his days with Kids In The Kitchen and really has found his home in this band. Joe Creighton is not only a marvellous bass player but a fabulous singer and composer and Tony Floyd kept the train rolling on drums.

Camilleri’s partner, Atlanta Coogan, has been signed up as vocalist and this five piece delivered for two hours in the old school combination of two sets and a short break.

With popular songs like “Daughters Of Glory”, “Harley And Rose” (one the crowd either loved or hated), “The Crack Up”, “Hold Onto Me”, and “Chained To The Wheel” – it was a trip through the tunes that had visited the charts for The Black Sorrows.

With a recent album out, Crooked Little Thoughts, Camilleri was in spruiking mode throughout the night and used that as a lead in to new song, “Money Talkin’”, which he wrote about watching late night tele-adverts.

“Lovin’ You”, another new number, was a smoking blues tune that Coogan delivered early in the evening and showcased her vocal ability. “The Chosen One”, from 1987’s Hold Onto Me- delivered at a much slower pace than the original – was the masterpiece of the first set with warm vocals and astonishing playing.

Throw in the almost obligatory cover of Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and you had an enchanted set list.

“Hit and Run” and “Shape I’m In” from the Jo Jo Zep and The Falcon years were well received and Carranza took a hold of those slinky guitar riffs, along with Creighton’s funky bass ,and in another time the room would have been shaking with dancers.

Age may have caught up with The Black Sorrows’ audience, but Camilleri and his band are showing no signs of slowing down.

“Chained To The Wheel” closed off the main part of the second set with the Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” slipped into the middle while everyone in the room did their best Jagger.

The Black Sorrows proved once again that when they have it altogether they can entertain a crowd as good as anyone.

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