SO WHO ARE THE STUMBLE ?…
If you’ve seen us before then you will know that we are all about live rapturous Chicago style rhythm & blues. If you are new to the band, then allow me to explain….
The Stumble are a six piece band based in and around Preston in the North-West and what you get is a classic valve driven back line driven with shuffle and roll. Influences range from B.B. King, Freddy King, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, The Allman Brother’s Band,Booker T, King Curtis etc.Basically, if music has that screwed down ambient live feel expressed by some of these guys, then it’ll get on our turntable.
Our debut album ‘The World is Tough’ came out in 2006 via cdbaby and received rave reviews throughout the UK blues communities and further afield.We have been doing a serious schedule of UK appearances since then, with sell out gigs at blues clubs, independent venues and some great festival appearances across the country and in Ireland.
The second album ‘The Houngan’ is brand new Nov 2008 and paints a more diverse musical canvas than the previous album. This was recorded and mixed at Restrike Studios in Manchester during July 08 predominantly live on to 2” tape to capture the warmth and ambience of the band’s live performance. ‘The Houngan’ is an attempt at a more polished studio album, but one in which the band’s live edge and the warmth and ambience of a valve back line was assured. The album is designed to be as diverse, in terms of tones and tempos, as possible. We wanted the listener to understand our influences, yet hopefully appreciate that the sound and style of the numbers are our own. The tracks roll and rumble, but the colour which the soloists add to the melting pot really makes this album rich. You won’t have to turn up your bass booster on your stereo to get a thump out of some of these songs, just turn up the volume and it will be like the band are right there in the room with you.
Blues on the Rock at at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton
Sunday February 8th – Afternoon Gig
Raphael Callaghan the gig promoter has written in with details of the next Blues at the Rock gig coming up in New Brighton a few short days away.
There is a real buzz about the next Blues On The Rock session at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton, on Sunday afternoon February 8th. For the hosts, Liverpool blues duo Blue C, have as their special guests Down At Antones, who are remembered with great affection by blues fans in the north west for their blistering performances in the 90s. Down at Antones have been “resting” in the millenium years, but the original frontline of Neil Partington on gritty guitar and vocals and Ken Peace on big-toned amplified harmonica are back for selected gigs with a crack rhythm section.
This is a rare one and not to be missed!
Music is from 1pm-4pm, and there is also blues memorabilia on display, a chance to win blues CDs and the ever-popular Talkin’ Blues section where Raphael Callaghan of Blue C will interrogate Neil and Ken. Cafe/bottle bar, too. Admission £4 which includes admission to the fort’s fascinating museum. Be early for a seat! Enquiries, 0151 709 5484, or www.myspace.com/bluecblues.
Published on Thursday 29 January 2009 in News. 4 Comments
Grahame just texted me to tell me that the legendary John Martyn has passed away. He was only 60.
One of the all time great voices.
My first ever gig was John Martyn at Huddersfield Polytechnic (now The University, Huddersfield). One man, one guitar and a huge delay pedal (although thinking back it muts have been an Echoplex). John Martyn walked on stage smoking a large jazz cigarette – the first illegal recreational substances that I had ever seen. These days you can buy crack cocaine at the nursery.
Half way through the first set, a guy stood up and said “Hang on a minute John – I’m just off for a p!$$”. Sure enough John Martyn waited in complete silence for about three minutes until the guy came back.
I’ll miss you John.
I don’t want to know ’bout evil. Only want to know ’bout love
The great news for those of you within striking distance of Crewe is that creweroots presents Johnny Dickinson at SquareOne, Crewe on 11 Mar 2009.
Johnny Dickinson is without doubt one of the best performers that I have ever seen, his guitar playing is superb and his singing sublime. His music is a evocative blend of blues with traditional British music. A must see!
My old mates the Harpbreakers have a gig coming up in Altrincham this Friday. Don’t forget that there is also a Harpbreakers / Down at Antones double header upcoming at the Warrington Blues Club on 27th Feb. Showcasing two of the regions most popular bands from the 1990s both now back and gigging.
Who better to start a new year of blues shows than the man who conjures up the most authentic images of the Mississippi Delta, Kent DuChaine? True to form and armed with Leadbessie, his trusty, 75-year old National steel guitar, the maestro delivered a superb evening’s entertainment.
The first set ranged over a couple of Bukka White numbers, Willie Dixon’s “The Seventh Son”, “Little Red Rooster” and Leadbelly’s “Rock Island Line”. It also included the excellent, original composition, “Edgmont Station”, with its wonderfully intricate rhythms, and fine versions of “St James Infirmary Blues” and “Summertime”. It ended with a first taste of Robert Johnson, with “Last Fair Deal Going Down”, and the love song, “I’ve Been True To You”, which was written for the lady who was then his ‘second ex-wife-to- be’.
The second set opened with “Sweet Home Chicago” and Little Willie John’s “Fever”, followed by what was nothing short of a master class in the playing of several Robert Johnson classics. There was also a terrific rendition of Sippy Wallace’s magnificent ode to optimism, “Trouble In Mind”. The marvellous performance was concluded with an uplifting encore that combined “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” with “When The Saints Go Marching In”, which prompted enthusiastic participation from the highly appreciative audience. Another great night at The Marina.
This film from 2006 looks very interesting and would appear to express some of the concerns that I have about current society.
Never have so few companies controlled so much of the music played on the radio and for sale at retail stores. At the same time, there are more bands and more ways to discover their music than ever. Music seems to have split in two – the homogenous corporate product that is spoonfed to consumers and the diverse independent music that finds devoted fans online and at clubs across the country.
BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES tells the story of American music at this precarious moment. Filmmakers Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen traveled the country, hoping to understand why mainstream music seems so packaged and repetitive, and whether corporations really had the power to silence musical innovation. The answers they found on this journey–ultimately, the promise that the future holds–are what makes BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES both riveting and exhilarating.
At the heart of BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES are interviews with musicians, industry insiders, music critics, and fans that reveal how music has reached this moment of truth. Featured performances from a truly diverse group of artists, ranging from The Dave Matthews Band and Erykah Badu to Seattle street performers and Mississippi gospel singers show us that great music is always out there… as long as you know where to look. BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES will renew your passion for great music, and inspire you to play an active part in its future.
The film looks to have a good blues content. The first one and a half minutes alone of Ray Charles and Billy Preston I think justify the very reasonable purchase price.
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