Danny Bryant – BIG, Live in Europe

Late last year, Danny Bryant released a new version of his song “Prisoner”, recorded with a nine-piece big band.  It was a hint of things to come as he followed that up with some live shows in Europe, and is now releasing a live album recorded at those shows.  He’s also doing three UK shows to coincide with the release of the album, with dates in Belfast, Edinbugh and London on 27th, 28th and 29th April.  Needless to say, touring with so many musicians is boudn to be expensive which is why there are a limited number of dates on the tour.  Happily though if you can’t make it to one of the live shows, you can at least enjoy the experience of hearing Danny Bryant playing with a big band with this album.

The set list for these shows included five songs from the Blood Money album, a couple from the previous album (Temperature rising) and the rest from earlier albums or cover versions.  I love Danny Bryant’s albums and his normal live performances are great, but the brass section of the big band really helps lift them to another level.  I can certainly see why he wanted to perform with a big band.  The horns aren’t overused though, just where they can add to a song, and there’s till plenty of time for the guitar to be the centre of attention, such as in “As the years go passing by”, where there are long stretches with the guitar solo holding your attention with the keyboard and horns used just occasionally.

It’s a superb live release – highly recommended.

Track listing:

Disc 1:

1. Temperature rising
2. Just won’t burn
3. Prisoner of the blues
4. Holding all the cards
5. Greenwood 31
6. Groaning the blues
7. Blood money

Disc 2:

1. On the rocks
2. As the years go passing by
3. Take me higher
4. Unchained
5. Painkiller
6. Stop breaking down