The Mavericks & Jarrod Dickenson, The Forum Bath, April 24 2024.

I had been looking forward to this evening for months, and finally it had arrived. Colin and Sharon picked me up in the market place and off we set for Bath. The countryside looked beautiful in the April evening sunshine, and I thought how lucky we are to live in such a pleasant area. Eventually, we arrived in the fine Georgian & Roman city of Bath. Our first stop was the bustling Lamb & Lion pub intending to get some food, but the barman said there was a 45-minute waiting time, so we just had a drink in the beer garden and then made our way to a burger bar where I opted for a vegan burger. We passed the time chatting to some other Mavericks fans who just happened to be in there. The time flew by, and we strolled to the nearby Forum where the doors had just opened.

The show was supposed to start at 7.30, but the support act of Jarrod Dickenson and his small band of another guitar player, a drummer and his wife Claire shuffled on stage at 7.50. All was soon forgiven for the late start because they played a short, but very enjoyable set of songs. I had never heard of Jarrod Dickenson until a few days ago, but when I saw that he was to be the support act in Bath I listened to some songs on YouTube. I was particularly taken by a sweet little duet with his wife Claire called Your Heart Belongs To Me. I have shared it below. I think Jarrod hails from Waco Texas, and I was surprised to find out that Claire is from Belfast. 

Later in the evening I had a little chat with them at the merchandise table and bought Jarrod’s 2017 album Ready The Horses which he signed for me. I should have asked Claire if she was a fan of fellow Belfast citizen Van Morrison, but I didn’t think. I can’t remember all the songs in their set, but they certainly performed Faint Of Heart which is also on the album. I would describe his music as soulful country rock, excellent. During the interval It was great to meet up with my old friends and former neighbours Dave & Sarah for a little chat. Then it was time for one of the world’s great live bands The Mavericks.

I must confess that I have never bought a Mavericks album, and Dance The Night Away is the only song I was familiar with. However, I saw them play at Glastonbury a few years ago and was blown away by their infectious joyful danceable music. I think their forte is certainly live performance. If I get a Mavericks album in the future, I think it would definitely be a live one. Before last night Raul Malo the vocalist and bass player was the only Maverick I could name. I think there are only three other official band members, Paul Deakin on drums, Jerry Dale McFadden on keyboards and vocals, & Eddie Perez on guitars. 

There were about eight or nine people on stage who all performed brilliantly. Max Abrams on sax, Julio Diaz on trumpet, Percy Cardona on accordion, and Lorenzo Molina on trumpet all deserve a mention for their splendid efforts. (I hope I got the names right, and haven’t forgotten anyone) You might be disappointed if expecting a setlist because I don’t have a clue what most of the songs were called. Lots of people left their seats to dance in front of the stage, so I wandered down and filmed one song which I think is called The Name Of The Game.

While I was down at the front, they played There Goes My Heart which I surprisingly recognised. I also remember Moon & Stars which Raul said is the title track from their upcoming new album. And We Dance is a very moving song inspired by the war in Ukraine. They played a slow version of Dance The Night Away which the whole audience sang along with, and Raul conducted. This band are all about audience participation. By the end of the show almost the entire audience were on their feet and clapping along. If I had to choose a highlight of the show, I think it would be their beautiful version of the Rodgers & Hart classic Blue Moon. I can’t name any of the other songs, but that doesn’t matter because they treated us to two hours of wonderful positive uplifting music. As we left the Forum, I knew that the audience had just shared a memorable experience. The Mavericks will be weaving their magic at the London Palladium tonight before moving on to Europe. If you ever get the chance to go and see them, I think you should go. You won’t be disappointed.

PS, thank you very much Colin & Sharon for taking me to Bath, and for some of the pictures. Cheers.