Going retro with a Blues Conscience

CHENNAI: Suited up, ties in place and top hats to go — ‘Blues Conscience’ makes an impression well before their music starts to play. For a moment it is almost like a stepping into a retro time capsule. Performing in concert at the Alliance Francais of Madras on Friday night, these gentlemen held their audience captive every step of the way. The show was organised in support of Speed Trust, an NGO for the education of people in slums and provision of economic development.If you aren’t familiar with the likes of blues legends like BB King or Buddy Guy, this four-piece group certainly gets you aquainted just fine. Starting off with an original composition titled Janis Joplin – Anek Ahuja’s smooth vocals turn on the charm right away. The rest of the group comprises Aum Janakiram (lead guitar), Neil Smith (drums) and Sid Kumar (keys). For Joplin fans, a singer touted as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll in her prime, this song is a fun, unconventional tribute. Janakiram’s soulful guitar solo during the first half of the show pulled the crowd into a real blues groove. And quite a few popular covers were a part of the set list as well, Feels like Rain (Buddy Guy) and the ever popular Aint No Sunshine (Bill Withers).Besides the music there was a liberal dose of comic relief through the evening, courtesy the lyrics of some signature Blues Conscience tunes. There was one for dog lovers “and haters”, as they put it, titled questionably Shaggin Ma Dog – a composition mourning the loss of a much missed canine. Perhaps a favourite was their pacy finale piece, Kamasutra. No explanations required, this one is best left to the imagination.