Annie & The Caldwells music review: Heavenly pursuits
A raucous family affair with an effortless funk backline supporting some mighty vocals
Annie & The Caldwells didn’t need to take us to church: they were already there, physically, spiritually and musically. St Luke’s was the ideal venue for this supremely funky gospel family band, led by Mississippi matriarch Annie Caldwell with daughters Deborah and Anjessica flanking and supporting her. The former wore a t-shirt proclaiming ‘half hood half holy’ and there was certainly a mix of earthly passions in there with those heavenly pursuits.
The Caldwells are definitely more Pentecostal than Church Of Scotland and at times their show felt like a charismatic revival meeting rather than a gig as they dispensed blessings on folks who have almost certainly missed a few Sunday services over the years. Under Annie’s pastoral care, they were ready to receive, propelled into her healing hands by the effortless funk backline provided by the men of the family. Sons Abel and Willie Jr were a watertight rhythm section while father Joe quietly took care of business on guitar. Over a resolutely non-churchy bassline, Annie asked forgiveness for some unspecified transgression on opening number ‘Wrong’. Confession was clearly good for her soul.
The sisters’ harmonies were not strictly heavenly, more silky and seductive as the band set up a stealthy funk strut, over which Annie delivered her soulful sermon. Her testifying vocals were mighty, although Deborah gave her a run for her money, practically coughing up a lung in the frenzy. For all the showmanship, this was a participatory experience with audience acolytes invited to take the microphone or jump on stage. For the brief encore, the sisters laid hands on the front rows, converts surely made, before this travelling ministry rolled out of town leaving their flock thoroughly sated.
Reviewed at St Luke’s, Glasgow, as part of Celtic Connections; main picture: Kris Kesiak.