Watch Up Wilson - Live At the 100 Club, London

On June 28th, 2019, the legend of southern soul, Mr. Wilson Pickett, was resurrected at the very place where Northern Soul found its home: The 100 Club in London. The reunited band was led by the indomitable consummate Louisiana bluesman and soul singer, Sir Devon Allman, with his resident six-piece soul rock outfit, The Devon Allman Project.

The concert was a veritable tour-de-force of Pickett's greatest hits as well as some hidden gems that truly showcased the raw power and soulfulness of his voice which was full of grit, grittiness and vocal dexterity. From the moment the band took the stage with a rousing version of “Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won’t Do)” to the closing notes of “Land of 1000 Dances” Pickett was magnificently celebrated and lovingly remembered by fans old and new.

The energy of the crowd was palpable from the opening chords of the band’s first song to the final bow, the audience sang along to every word as if they had sung them a thousand times before. The band was tight and soulful and played with an intensity that was matched only by the incredible vocal prowess of Allman who showed that he was a true master of the genre. His performance was electric and filled with an infectious enthusiasm that lifted the spirits of everyone in the room.

Throughout the night, the band ran through a string of Pickett's greatest hits including “Funky Broadway”, “Midnight Hour”, “In the Midnight Hour”, “Mustang Sally”, and “Land of 1000 Dances”. All of the hits were performed with a reverence for Pickett's style and sound which made it feel like the man himself was back on stage for one more glorious night.

One of the most memorable moments of the concert came when the band launched into a powerful and soulful version of Pickett's lesser-known B-side “Jealous Love”. The song was transformed into a blistering blues-rock workout that had the audience on their feet and cheering. Allman's voice soared on the verses, supported by a searing guitar solo from Jackson Stokes, it was a highlight of the night.

The band also paid tribute to some of Pickett's influences and contemporaries including Otis Redding with a dynamic version of “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” and Sam Cooke with a stirring rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come”. Both songs were done with heartfelt sincerity and only added to the celebratory nature of the night.

The concert was a true testament to the enduring power and appeal of Wilson Pickett's music. As the night drew to a close, the band launched into a monumental version of “Land of 1000 Dances” that had the entire crowd singing and dancing along. It was a fitting end to a stunning concert that did justice to one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

Overall, “Up Wilson - Live At The 100 Club, London” is a fantastic tribute to the man who brought Southern Soul to the world stage. Allman and his band honor the legacy of Pickett with a performance that is equal parts soulful, celebratory and reverent. The energy, passion, and enthusiasm that they bring to these classic songs make them feel fresh and vital, ensuring that Pickett's music will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for generations to come.