Gig review: STATE OF EDEN – The Jubilee, Sunbury, 12 October 2013

State Of Eden played their second gig and their first in a public venue, the cosy Jubilee pub. Only downside is the pub’s layout meant you can only see half of the band in certain areas due a wall blocking half of the area where the band are!

Alex Norton opened the night playing his sax to a backing track of classic jazz numbers. Now most jazz to me leaves me cold like X Factor or One Direction, but fair play to Alex as his playing captivated the listener and you can see why even at his young age he has played in venues like Ronnie Scott’s.

State Of Eden – Steve Jenkins (vocals/keys), Alex Jenkins (vocals/keys/trumpet), Scott Williamson (vocals/guitar), Phil Jenkins (drums) – supported themselves after a fashion as State One, playing a set of jazzy covers and originals plus two rock classic covers. Guitarist Scott Williamson did fine instrumental versions of Led Zep’s ‘That’s The Way’ and the Who’s ‘Beyond Blue Eyes’. The run through ‘Angela’, better known as the theme to the US TV show ‘Taxi’, had a Toto/West Coast AOR sound to it and was nicely played.

The main set was split into two as set one started with the short ‘Black Hole Baby’ and ‘Dr. Cooper’s Secret Worm Hole’, a classic prog rock title if ever there was one! Couple of covers in the first set too, the Doors ‘L.A. Woman’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Soldier Of Fortune’. The latter an interesting cover and given a reverential treatment by the band. Of the original songs Alex Jenkins’ ‘Little Boat’ has a memorable melody and one of their stronger songs.

Three covers in the second set as Uriah Heep’s ‘Gypsy’ kicked off the proceedings and a brave choice of cover as Uriah Heep original had the high vocals of the late, great David Byron plus the other band members adding their high harmonies on the chorus. They just about pulled it off and wisely didn’t attempt those higher notes! Set highlight for many of the crowd was their version of ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’, made famous by Whitesnake although originally a Bobby Bland tune. None of the Coverdale-isms in the vocals, instead the band focussed on the musical side and hit the spot, as this song drew in some people from the locals bar next door.

Another Deep Purple cover in ‘Holy Man’, a good choice as the slower song allowed the band to show their musical talent and add a little prog to the original tune. ‘Everyman’- a real treat for air keyboards fans – and ‘Storm’ closed the set, each giving the band a chance to mix their love of prog and hard rock, with a little jazz tinge in their playing.

By the end of the set the band had really hit their stride and as they play more gigs, adding more of their own material and fewer covers, they will be a band to keep tabs on.

Review by Jason Ritchie

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