A slow hand clap is usually reserved for disapproval but the reverse was the case at the Mavericks’ concert when Zorba the Greek, like a climactic Bolero, set the anticipatory tone for the recently reformed Miami dance band to appear on stage for their hungry fans.
The Mavericks’ latest album, In Time, allowed Cuban American lead singer Raul Malo to make the joke that it maybe should have been called ‘About Time’!
It is never easy to be a support act to a big name and the dubious honour went to solo singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke. He has a good voice and easy manner but his style is more suited to a smaller folk venue than the Usher Hall.
One of his interesting songs, "Marrying the Sea", was like an adult version of the theme in the children’s book The Mousehole Cat. His final song, "When you Gonna Marry Me?", was upbeat and more in a Maverick mood.
Playing with a committed energy that belies their separation, the sleekly geared, six-strong band, augmented to nine by brass, bass and accordion players, are back as tight as ever. Like they’ve never been gone!
A robust "Back in Your Arms Again" opens the set that shifts between the rhythms of salsa, foxtrot, slow cha cha cha and rattling rockabilly as the band swings its way through favourites with its trademark relaxed swagger.
Keyboard player and tartan hatted Jerry Dale McFadden flamboyantly twisted his way through the set of sexy dance music and guitarist Eddie Perez, splendid in black and white shoes, was electrifying.
From the marraccaed and tambourined "Lies", to the muscularly melodic accordion accompanied "Born to Be Blue" and the toe tapping treat of "As Long as They’re Lovin Tonight", all sung by Malo’s seductive voice, The Mavericks are insistently and consistently good.
With sambas and salsa beats, "All Over Again" and "Dance in the Moonlight" climactically lead up to a raise-the-roof "Dance the Night Away".
Just an hour in, and after loads of energy expended, it could have been the end and a long empty stage hinted at that. But no! There was more.
Raul Malo does his traditional solo with acoustic guitar singing in his wonderful voice that just whispers to a yodel with "Here Comes the Rain", the Orbisonesque "Sweet Dreams", the beautiful and evocative old song "Around the World" that they recorded with the Northern Symphonia at Gateshead.
A cool and slow version of "Guantanamera" that opens with Mindbenders’ "A Groovy Kind of Love" riff turns out to be rich and full bodied like a good wine. A plaintive spaghetti western guitar introduces "Come unto Me (I’ll be there for You)" that cha cha chas its way through its enticing love lyrics.
From "Mr Lonely", a foxtrot that tips in to a cool bluegrass, to a slow tempoed "I’ve got this feeling" and a rockabilly "Fall Apart (here we go again)" we are taken smoothly in to a raise-the-rafters version of "Twist and Shout", giving full throat to the Latin rhythms of the ‘60s classic.
With Raul’s voice that just tips to a yodel, the Mavericks give two hours of committed musicianship creating gorgeous shapes in music.
The lighting in the Usher Hall may have been rather random, disconcertingly illuminating the audience in a way that shifts the magical atmosphere but the rattling rhythms and steady beat of the band more than made up for that weakness.
They have the knack of creating songs of good length that adds to the value and excitement of the concert. The bopping, line dancing and twisting crowd looked like they just wanted to dance the night away. Brilliant!
Show Date: 15 May 2013