Sari Schorr & Cinelli Brothers at the Crossroads

If it wasn’t enough just to sample the atmosphere of concerts under that world-famous blue neon logo saying ‘Rockpalast’, the regular ‘Crossroads Festival’ at Bonn Harmonie has become dependable for its eclectic roster of bands each year. It really is a welcome break from the relentless coverband scene that is constantly re-hashing old bands and music for new generations. There is of course a matter of perspective in that. Not everyone was able to see legends like Queen, George Michael and Dire Straits in their prime – one of the (few) perks of being old I guess. But the music for future generations has to start somewhere – and Crossroads Rockpalast is as good a starting point as any. So step up to the mark tonight Sari Schorr and The Cinelli Brothers. your live music CV’s are about to be filed in the Rockpalast video vaults alongside Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Deep Purple, Van Morrison, Motörhead… are you ready?!

Having extolled the virtues of how varied the Crossroads Rockpalast Festivals tend to be, on this particular evening there looks to be, on paper anyway, two bands whose musical roots are firmly entrenched in the Blues. And yet… both it turns out have the imagination and the ability to take the Blues in their own directions.

Getting the evening underway is the band led by New Yorker Sari Schorr. She could just as easily have become a successful Jazz singer, early heroes being Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, but Schorr’s voice proved too strong for the other instruments in the bands. The German term is a ‘Rock Röhre’ – a voice that is loud and, well, rock-steady. Five octaves that can go from a whisper to a scream.

There is no doubting Sari Schorr’s vocal abilities from the opening verse and chorus of ‘The Circle is Complete’. What she and her band bring to the table in addition though is a pleasant surprise. Thoughtful lyrics (co-written with Henning Gehrke) and Ash Wilson, one of the UK’s best blues-rock guitarists. “It’s my first time here” she smiles as she steps onstage “and you never forget your first time!”. Her fiery set will certainly not be forgotten by either those present in the hall or online on the internet’s livestream. With rockers like the aforementioned opener from her new disc ‘Joyful Skies’ and a brand new one ‘Highway 69’ she and her band showed they could rock with the best. Ash Wilson’s soloing spot on throughout the night – switching from delicately restrained as on ‘Joyful Sky’ to searing hot as on ‘Ain’t Got No Money’.

The ballads too were also powerful; thanks in no small part to that ‘Rock Röhre’ voice. Schorr likes to introduce her songs, drawing attention particularly to their themes. ‘Damn the Reason’ has the dark theme of being personally abused. ‘Ordinary Life’ is a reminder that we should not take the simple things in our lives for granted, but be grateful for them. It’s a song too that shows how much control Sari Schorr has in her voice – maybe Jazz music’s loss is bluesrocks gain? Also perfectly restrained vocally was ‘Beautiful’. As Schorr describes it: “There are billions of people on this planet, but there is no one identical to you. We are, every one of us, unique”.

But let’s not go away thinking Sari Schorr’s music is purely Jazzrock with a Gospel root and Sunday service parables. This Lady plays in Rockbands for a good reason – that voice can’t be restrained for long. It was a saving grace when the announcement came that the next number up would be ‘Black Betty’. An announcement that possibly sent a few eyeballs rolling heavenwards. I mean, it’s a song that has been ‘done to death’ isn’t it? and yet…

It’s actually a good minute into the intro before you actually realize that ‘Black Betty’ is actually being played. It slowly builds, and builds, and builds – before exploding like a freight train late for its destination. This song may have been played by hundreds of bands, but never quite like this, with a voice that smashes all other versions clean out of the ballpark. ‘Bam-a-Lam!’ for sure. One of those sets where you have to feel a bit concerned for the next band on. But, with the Cinelli Brothers, you wouldn’t have been worried for very long.

Somewhere it says that The Cinelli Brothers are from England, but that would be like claiming that Thin Lizzy are English based on the fact that they established themselves by moving to London. The Brothers band is centred around drummer Alessandro Cinelli and keyboard/guitarist Marco Cinelli, both Italian. Bassman Stephen Giry is French and only Tom JJ on harmonica/guitar/vocals is a Brit (I suspect the ‘JJ’ is a way of avoiding Wikipedia scholars from confusing him with that other musical Tom Jones, from Wales!).

There is no problem for the band to compete with Sari Schorr because their music is totally different. A lot of that is surely down to that international mix, and, certainly, Marco Cinelli’s leaning towards a Stax/Motown feel contributes to that unique sound mix. It’s not just the wide musical pallet that grabs attention though. Each band member steps confidently up to the microphone for lead vocals, Marco steps in on Harmonica allowing harpist JJ to switch to guitar, Stephen Giry also switches out from bass to rhythm/lead guitar. There’s no chance of boredom creeping in for either band or audience.

Straight out of the box and ‘The Very Thing That Makes You Rich’ is a statement of intent that this is not going to be a pure blues evening. The song’s gospelly opening sidesteps into a Motown sound pushed along vocally and musically by Marco Cinelli on his keyboard. It’s certainly not what I was expecting from a band that placed second in the Memphis International Blues Challenge and is a nominee for Best UK Band in this year’s UK Blues Awards. This band is going to be different, and pleasingly so. Which isn’t to say these guys have no teeth for cutting straight Blues. JJ could give Sari Schorr a run for her vocal money I suspect on the evidence of his opening on the Otish Rush classic ‘I Can’t Quit You Baby’; showing that when the band do go down a pure Blues path they do it with passion.

For those who haven’t visited a Rockpalast night at the Harmonie there are usually three camera people with hefty-looking video cameras to be wielded around on their shoulders. One lady told me she has been hefting a camera since the first shows in Bonn and, having filmed two acts a night every night of the shows, I can assure you she’s an excellent barometer for measuring the live performances of bands. She’s smiling a lot during the Cinelli Brothers – maybe it’s because she is centre-stage opposite the enigmatic Marco. Most probably though it’s because the music and the musicians are always switching styles and duties. Or simply because the music is so damn good!

The said camera lady has to accept Marco’s absence mid-song as he makes a foray into the audience – something problematical at the best of times technically – but when you have not just a guitar but cameras and cables following your every move things can be a bit hectic. Thankfully he didn’t head onto the balcony (I remember Oli Brown spinning that trick years ago). All was well that ended well, and Marco made it back to the safety of the stage and his electric piano – which was replete I might add with the sort of beautiful and colourful (silk?) coverlet that only an Italian could have the taste to select.

To cut a long story short – I loved these guys. There are a lot of bands out there keeping the Blues alive, for which I am grateful. But not so many who are taking it in a new direction. I can’t believe that the Cinelli Brothers are not going to be picking up an award as Best Band in this year’s UK Blues Awards. I do very much want to believe also that this is not the last time we will be seeing the Band in Bonn Harmonie. In a pre-show interview

Alessandro Cinelli described the Band’s aim at every concert was to pursuade each and every audience member to “Leave your problems behind and have a good time”. Mission very much accomplished. Thank you Rockpalast for a great night of music, for all the great musical nights past, and for what will surely be many great nights still to come. That blue neon sign remains a quality seal for sure.