Monthly Archive for October, 2005

Any BB King fans?

Published on Saturday 29 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

I’m a huge BB fan, his classic works are some of the finest recordings ever made; they never fail to move me. I am not a Gary Moore fan though, so the follwing press release doesn’t work for me — even though it will be my last chance to see the great man. Anyway, here goes…….

A Once In A Lifetime Double Bill
5-date Arena Tour starts at Sheffield Arena, 29 th March 2006
Tickets go on sale Friday 28 th October 2005 at 9am!
Blues guitar legends B.B. King and Gary Moore share the once in a lifetime double bill for what is set to be one of the most spectacular rhythm’n'blues concert tours ever to hit UK shores in March and April 2006. What’s more, the five ultra-rare dates will be the last ever UK concerts that B.B. King will ever play to his adoring UK fans. B.B. King, who has just recently celebrated his 80 th birthday, is universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues and is without a shadow of a doubt, is the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century. This one-time only double bill will team B.B. King up with Northern Irish classic blues guitarist, Gary Moore, who’s career dates back to the 1960s and has graced the line-ups of Thin Lizzy, Coliseum II, BBM and Skid Row and his most recent rock trio, Scars.The tour kicks off a UK 5-date tour at Sheffield Arena on Wednesday 29 th March, 2006, and will also take in arena dates in Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth and London. Gary Moore will perform the first hour, followed by an hour long performance by B.B. King.

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A couple of pics from the Cadillacs

Published on Saturday 29 October 2005 in Local. 0 Comments



What a great band these guys are. They really know how to deliver a song and the rhythm section are one of the very best in the UK.

Telford’s is not the best place to take piccies from as the area is intimate. So the best I can muster tonight is a quick pic of Gary’s amp and one taken from a few feet back from the stage.

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** TONIGHT ** Final call for The Cadillac Kings

Published on Friday 28 October 2005 in Gigs. 0 Comments

I’ll be heading off to Telford’s Warehouse in a couple of hours. Hope to see you there. I’ll try to remember to take my camera and capture a couple of piccies for you all to enjoy.

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Worthenbury Boogie Woogie and Blues this Saturday 29 Oct

Published on Tuesday 25 October 2005 in Gigs. 0 Comments

That lovely Welsh gentleman Pete Evans tells us all that….

Just a reminder to all and sundry that the uk’s top boogie/blues pianist Bob Hall is at Worthenbury Village Hall this saturday Oct 29th at “Goin’ Up The Country” Blues and Roots Club. A great entertainer who has been at the forefront of UK blues for 40+ years having been involved in the formation of bands like Savoy Brown (still massive in the USA) The Groundhogs andFleetwood Mac. He has also guested with The Stones and has backed such legends as Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, John Lee Hooker and Chuck Berry.
His act involves many interesting stories and anecdotes about some of these legends. He also appeared on the main stage of the Chicago Blues Festival this year and sent the gatherted thousands into raptures with his version of “Pinetop’s Boogie”
For tickets @ £8 ring Pete Evans on 01948 770215.

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Otis Taylor : Nov 18th – tickets selling fast

Published on Tuesday 25 October 2005 in Gigs. 0 Comments

Pete also says that

…..tickets for Otis Taylor (Nov 18th) are going very rapidly and I anticipate a sell out possibly by this weekend so if you want one please ring me for details – this gig is a ticket in advance gig only – none available on the night.

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Downloadable Blues Interviews on WORT-FM

Published on Monday 24 October 2005 in Sounds. 0 Comments

Hosted by Art Schuna, and Dave Leucinger. You’ll hear blues from the 1920’s to the present with a little zydeco and southern soul added to the mix. Since 1999, the show has done special features on blues artists including interviews discussing their careers and music. Unfortunately, we can’t give you the music without violating copyright acts but we can give you the interviews. Here they are.
Blues Interview Archives.

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Matt Schofield Trio – Review

Published on Monday 24 October 2005 in Reviews. 0 Comments

From Grahame Rhodes….

Matt Schofield Trio
Warrington Blues Club at Warrington Town FC

One of the live highlights of last year was a Chester gig, at Alexander’s, of the excellent trio, led by young guitar ace, Matt Schofield – in the company of Jonny Henderson (Hammond organ) and Evan Jenkins (drums).

Therefore it was a pleasure, a full year on, to catch the band again at Warrington Blues Club, where a most healthy turnout were treated to two great sets of jazz-flavoured blues – ranging from swinging shuffles to slow blues burners – featuring some of Matt Schofield’s tunes and some classic covers.

The fact that the band are a trio gives them plenty of scope to stretch out – and, indeed, the two sets only contained some ten songs – highlighted by quite superb playing from all three members – Schofield’s guitar dominates, but his two colleagues are given ample opportunity to impress!

With two new releases out at the moment, a live and a studio offering, the first song, the shuffle of “All You Need” – is the first track on both of them; this was followed by the jazz groove of the instrumental “Uncle Junior”, before one of the night’s highlights – a blistering take on the legendary Albert Collins slow blues, “The Lights Are On But Nobody’s Home” – featuring lashings of fine guitar, with the other boys locked in behind.

Another treat was the Texas funk of “Big Legged Woman”, a tune popularised by the late, great Freddie King; with the first set brought to a conclusion with another Albert Collins song, the rousing “Travelling South”, with Matt Schofield swapping to his Fender Telecaster to unleash some piercing soloing.

The second set kicked off with the New Orleans funk of The Meters “Cissy Strut”, with both Jonny Henderson and Evan Jenkins being given their share of the spotlight. A gorgeous “Sitting On Top Of The World” followed, with the new “On My Way” taking the tempo up again, before a funky reading of the Texas anthem, “Black Cat Bone”.

Another funky, jazz, instrumental rounded off a fine evening, while a much-demanded encore saw the trio back on stage for a take on “Same Old Blues” – another blues classic to end the show.

Next up at Warrington is the superb Paul Byrd, on Friday, 18th November – lovers of pure blues – from the likes of BB, Albert and Freddie King – check him out, another great night is promised!

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The Cadillac Kings, Telfords Warehouse, Chester Friday 28/10

Published on Saturday 22 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

A great time for live music in the North West right now, the trend continues this coming Friday with an appearance of one of my favourite British bands The Cadillac Kings at Telfords. A very strong band with excellent lead instruments and a killer rhythm section – great songs too. Don’t miss it. I’ll be there – make sure you are too.

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Jonny Dickinson at Telfords Warehouse, Chester on Tue 25th Oct

Published on Saturday 22 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

The marvellous Johnny Dickinson is on at Telfords Warehouse on Tues 25/10. I can’t make it this time as I have a night class each Tuesday, but I do strongly recommend Johnny. I saw him last year at Telfords and he was great. He plays a mixture of Blues and Roots music with a strong bias towards the North East of England (he’s from that part of the country). All solo and acoustic, a very strong voice and very atmospheric guitar.

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Matt Schofield : post gig entry – 2

Published on Saturday 22 October 2005 in Reviews. 0 Comments


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Matt Schofield : post gig entry

Published on Saturday 22 October 2005 in Reviews. 0 Comments

Excellent gig by this young and hot three piece band. Two sets of blues, funk and jazzy shuffles mixing up the killer guitar, top class organ (playing the bass with one hand and the rest with the other hand) and tight, stylish drumming. Highly recommended.
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Memo Gonzalez online video

Published on Wednesday 19 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

One of Europe’s best bands (IMHO) Memo Gonzalez and the Bluescasters have updated their website a little and you can now see some dinky movie clips of this great band in action. Plus a 93 min video that I’m about to check out now.
Follow the VIDEOS link from their main website.
See Ya………Ken

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Talkin Blues

Published on Tuesday 18 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

How do I wish that BBC4 would pick up this series. The promo is very beguiling. I love the quote by Rockin Johnny Burgin.
Cheers
Ken

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Gonzalo Bergara

Published on Tuesday 18 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

I stumbled into this link a while ago. Gonzalo Bergara.
I have always loved those Charlie Baty guitar solos in Little Charlie and the Nightcats so it’s great to hear another guitarist paying tribute.

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Reminder for 15 November

Published on Tuesday 18 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

John Welsh writes…..

Hi Everyone,Now that our Liverpool Blues Festival is out of the way,and what a most successful day it was,it is time to plug my first venture into music promotion. If you enjoy the best in electric blues,please come down to the Yacht Club in November to listen to the playing and singing of Washington,DC’s brilliant BEN ANDREWS. He is the most talented of bluesmen. Take a listen to his “Gallow’s Pole” CD for confirmation.It promises to be a cracking night in a wonderful setting down by the River Mersey. If you are interested,please call me on 0151 428 2855 for tickets at £10 each.Hope that you can make it.John

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Report on last weeek and a look ahead to next week

Published on Saturday 15 October 2005 in News. 0 Comments

Grahame Rhodes reports…..

Bumped into Blues Matters correspondent Nigel Rose, in Morrisons of all places, he tells me that Memo Gonzalez and The Bluescasters at The Olde Wine Vaults in Holywell was a cracking night – and free at the door to boot! This Thursday sees The Matt Schofield Trio at the venue – and at Ray and Barbara’s club at Warrington the next night. Anyone who was at Alexander’s last year will want to check them out again!

I agree with Grahame – see you all in Warrington

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