Review of Atlantic soul covers band The Chevrons at the Rose and Crown pub in Bishop’s Stortford

Patrick Cooper, aka The Cat in the Hat, reviews the first pub gig he has been to in several years: Atlantic soul covers band The Chevrons at the Rose and Crown in Station Road, Bishop’s Stortford, on Saturday (March 1)

Saturday night and what to do? My mates and I rev up the Tardis and decide to go to a pub gig.

The Chevrons, a six-piece covers band delivering authentic Atlantic soul, are playing at the Rose and Crown. We enter.

“One, one, one…two, two.” Guitar twang, twaanngg. Tchibb, bang, dub, dub, snarebash, thump… Wow! A soundcheck. How long’s it been since you heard one of those? Then trumpet arpeggio and “phaarpp”, “bepopapharararpp” sax.

They haven’t even started yet and it’s been worth the reasonable price for three pints.

There are a few in. A mixed bunch of WAGs’n’BOYFs (work it out) of the band, dedicated followers, regulars and enthusiastic youngsters in indefinable apparel. One seems to still have his jimjams on. Maybe a spectacular Friday night? Those were the days. Never mind, they’ve got plenty of time to refine their style. I expect they’ll pick up some tips from us.

The line-up includes a horn section of trumpet and sax (who pauses to help on vocals), drum and bass with the lead guitarist on vocals.

We haven’t had such fun for ages. This was a labour of love for the musicians and, well before the midnight hour, that love was reciprocal. By the end of the first number most of the crowd were moving. By the end of the gig not one seat was still bummed as floorfillers soared and filled us with dancing joy.

Percussion powered with precision, thumped and bumped along with a base bass. Real badass brass. Them hornsters get the tower of power outta just two horns. Shows class.

Frontman sang and axed so good, even the kids who didn’t know the songs thought they did.

We sat on the dock of the bay and danced the night away. We waited for the midnight hour and listened to the sweet soul music of the soul man. We heard it on the grapevine and stood by me. The band even put these boots on and walked all over me.

Then the drummer cowbelled that intro. Then the bass played that first bar… of Low Rider. I was in heaven. Again. I first heard it on Top of the Pops on release (yes, I’m that old) and was devoted to it before the vocals kicked in. And for every moment since. The Chevrons done it justice and mo.

Low Rider is always the highlight, but The Chevrons’ outro of a blistering Proud Mary and a version of Shout - which echoed so many double, triple and quintuple entendres it’s a wonder it ever got airplay - was a great way to end a fine night out.

One minor observation. Mic the vocals up a coupla notches (might have been the monitor issues that extended the sound check). This would have helped with the whistling on (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay, but no worries ‘cos we all whistled it too.

So many years, so many pub gigs. From Newcastle to New York, from New Maldon to New Orleans. And back. But this had that authentic atmosphere and we had a great time. You go see The Chevrons, you’ll have one too.

But maybe go to the next pub gig you see. Chances are you’ll have a good time. If you don’t dig it, what you lost? If you don’t go, what might you have missed? See you on the dance floor.

The Cat in the Hat