http://www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk/eventdetails.php?showid=8813
Monthly Archive for April, 2009
Roots and Fusion on Stockport’s Pure 107.8FM
Since the recent post on Pure 107.8, we have been informed that the show will be moving to Friday nights from 11pm following on from the Classic Rock show, and it is also being extended to two hours.
The first two hour show on the 8th May will feature tracks from Bullfrog Brown from Estonia
If there are any other Roots & Fusion based bands out there who would like their music played, please contact Rick via email at studio@pureradio.org.uk (with Roots & Fusion as the subject) or send direct to -
Rick Stuart
Roots & Fusion
Pure 107.8FM
P.O. Box 1078
Stockport
SK3 0WH
Not some amazing filmed footage unfortunately, but really good as one would expect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lx07U6Rz0
“THE HEXMEN”
(self-titled, self release)
Now here’s a treat for anyone who enjoyed those glorious post-punk days of the very late 70s’ and early 80s’, when the likes of Nine Below Zero, Dr. Feelgood, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Lew Lewis, etc., delivered their energetic punk-tinged r&b – around this time The Hexmen were born in Liverpool – fronted by George Wickstead on harmonica and vocals – aka George Hexman – and they boasted a shifting line-up of members of such bands as Afraid Of Mice, Psychedelic Furs, The Boo Radleys and more – with even the great Charlie Whitney of Family being a sometime-Hexman!
The current line-up, took shape after a Liverpool jam night in 2008 and are – George Hexman (harmonica and vocals), David Woods (guitar), Joan Bimson (bass) and Raymond Wong (drums) – and they have recorded a most enjoyable blast through some r&b/blues classics, with no less than the first four tracks ones that featured on the classic Nine Below Zero “Live At The Marquee” release.
The opening blast through “Ridin’ On The L&N” shows what they are all about – George Hexman’s tough harp and vocals, the spunky guitar of David Woods and the driving rhythm section of Joan Bimson and Raymond Wong. They then, in order, hit us with “Woolly Bully”, “Sugar Pie” and the great Otis Rush tune, “Homework” – and you can’t argue with an opening salvo like that.
Elsewhere highlights are the Peter Green song “Looking For Somebody”, Van Morrison’s “Gloria”, and a few liberties taken with Elmore James “The Sky Is Crying” – ‘borrowed’ for the tongue-in-cheek “Look At The Tears Roll Down Sefton Street”, with some biting guitar from David Woods and tough vocal. Roy Head’s oft-recorded “Treat Her Right” – another tune associated with Nine Below Zero – is given another high-energy performance.
I would suggest this band make for a great live experience, with plenty of gigs on the books, check out their websites!
GRAHAME RHODES
This Friday 01 May will be blues night on the BBC. As well as Taj Mahal on the Jools Holland programme BBC4 will feature a whole evening of blues related content.
Of course you could have watched Jools and Taj on Tuesday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/programmes/schedules/2009/05/01
Thanks to Paul Farmer for the tip off.
**STOP PRESS**
Thanks to Mike from The Cadillac Kings I can now report that BBC4 also feature blues programming on Sat 02 May, including a documentary on Bobby “Blue” Bland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00k99g4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/programmes/schedules/2009/05/02
Shertila has uploaded his pictures from the great gig last Friday at Burtonwood Blues Club.
You can see the full set over at Flickr.
Also Lionel has sent me a few that are over on my Flickr site.
The restaurant Jalons have Eddie Martin on Monday 4th May.
Jalons Restaurant
477 Smithdown Road
Liverpool
Merseyside
L15 5AE
Tel: 0151 734 3984
LOUISIANA RED & MICHAEL MESSER
‘Going Up The Country’ at Worthenbury Village Hall: 25.04.09
A chance to see one of the older statesmen of the blues is not be missed, especially when the gig is fairly local, so well done to Pete Evans for bringing the legendary Louisiana Red to a sold-out Worthenbury Village Hall, in the company of ace British slide player, Michael Messer – a visitor last year in his own right.
Louisiana Red is one of those colourful old bluesmen whose life almost echoes the history of the blues – born Iverson Minter in Bessemer, Alabama in 1932, losing both parents very early in his life and being brought up by various relatives, recording his first records before a stint in the army, before hitting the road in earnest – indeed, he has around 50 albums to his name now!
He battled manfully with his voice at this gig as he was getting over laryngitis, and it’s probably fair to say that his guitar fingerpicking has probably diminished with his advancing years, but coaxed along by Michael Messer’s sympathetic accompaniment he delivered two sets that featured classic blues and many of his own songs.
His recording career has seen many autobiographical songs, he started the evening with probably the most famous, “Red’s Dream”, and later did “Ride On Red” – a song the late, great Rory Gallagher recorded – and the self-explanatory “Story Of Louisiana Red”.
The first set actually opened with Michael Messer solo on the blues chestnut “Rolling And Tumbling”, showing off his fine slide guitar work, before being joined by Louisiana Red. Other highlights were some classic covers – Robert Petway’s “Catfish Blues”; Mississippi Fred McDowell’s very well know “You Got To Move” – with Red recalling Mick Taylor’s slide playing on the Rolling Stone version; and the legendary Robert Johnson’s “Last Fair Deal Gone Down”.
Louisiana Red seemed to be determining what to play next on the spot, so it was credit to the skills of Michael Messer as he dropped in behind Red’s guitar work, quite often with some excellent slide work, coupled with some humorous exchanges about various type of bottleneck’s.
Second set standouts were the opening Muddy Waters tune, “I’m A King Bee”, a nice “I Wonder Who” – another song Rory Gallagher featured; and a nice version of “Stella”. Where Red’s fingerpicking struggled somewhat, he played some tasty slide and seemed to be quite touched by the audience’s response!
GRAHAME RHODES
Pictures from Ian Williams. For more, check out the bluesinthenorthwest.com photo archive.
THE LYNDON ANDERSON BAND
‘Blues at Burtonwood’ at Burtonwood Catholic Club: 24.04.09
The second gig at Ray and Barbara O’Hare’s new venture and venue at Burtonwood Catholic Club, saw a first visit to their club for Newcastle’s Lyndon Anderson Band – the man himself being one of these shores finest harmonica players and singers, ably accompanied by Davey Dormand (guitar), Christine Wilson (bass) and Kev Hodge (drums).
A healthy turnout of regulars and locals were treated to two sets of red-hot blues, with some funk, jazz and soul influences on numbers from the band’s two album – featuring many originals and choice covers. The band loosened up with the instrumental “Gumbo Groove”, before some Junior Wells on “Quit That”, with Anderson’s tremendous harmonica and big voice to the fore.
The first set highlight was his own “Cast The First Stone” – a long, slow soulful number, with a staggering vocal and some delightful jazzy harmonica work, with a lengthy solo from Davey Dormand – whose playing was a joy all night, from superb rhythm work, some Ronnie Earl in his solos, and an ability to lay down Chicago and Texas grooves when required.
Other first set treats were the West Coast swing of “Lollipop Mama”, here delivered William Clarke style, but maybe a bit faster; and another Junior Wells tune in the shape of his classic “Snatch It Back And Hold It” – very fine indeed!
A varied set second again saw the styles mixed up – from Frank Frost’s “Backscratcher” with Lyndon Anderson laying down his harmonica to play some guitar; the Texas shuffle of “Haven’t Got A Clue” and the New Orleans soul of the great Allen Toussaint’s “Get Out My Life Woman”.
Robert Nighthawk’s “Sweet Little Angel” saw some lovely slide from Davey Dormand, with the original “I Wanna Know” swinging like crazy. A most enjoyable night ended with James Harman’s “Leaving For Memphis” and a merited encore saw a romp through Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips”.
I would heartily recommend Lyndon Anderson and his fine band to anyone – catching them for the first time I was very impressed. He is a most inventive and original player – blending the harmonica work of the masters with his own more contemporary style, coupled with his big voice and fine band. As mentioned previously Davey Dormand’s guitar sparkled all evening and the fine rhythm section of Christine Wilson and Kev Hodge made them one of the tighest outfits I have heard for a good while!
GRAHAME RHODES
www.myspace.com/lyndonandersonband
The bluesinthenorthwest.com venue map has been updated with a couple of new venues – Bluefunk and Keighley and the new location for the Warrington Blues Club.
http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/index.php/map/
I heard from John Welsh that the upcoming gig at Liverpool Marina for Hamilton Loomis is sold out.
‘Following their outstanding performance at the Burnley Blues Festival at Easter the Cadillac Kings make a welcome return to the north west on May 23rd when the band opens up the evening session at the Warrington Rhythm and Blues Festival. Featuring six of the UK’s top blues & roots musicians, The Cadillac Kings play music inspired by the sounds & styles of the ‘40s & ‘50s. A mix of mostly original songs with a few well-chosen covers from the likes of T-Bone Walker, Roy Brown & Champion Jack Dupree have made the band firm favourites on both the blues & jump-jive scenes. With their stunning musicianship & exciting stage act, this is a band that knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, from intimate clubs to major festivals.
With backgrounds including Otis Grand’s Band, James Hunter’s Jokers, The Poorboys, Big Joe Louis, and Little George Sueref, The Cadillac Kings came together in the year 2000. They became an immediate hit at venues & festivals all over the UK . 2001 saw the release of their debut CD ‘Lou Ann’ which received wide airplay in the UK & abroad, culminating in a nomination for the 2002 USA Swing Awards.Tour dates have included London’s 100 Club, the Great British R&B Festival, the Burnley Blues Festival, London’s Hackney Empire, the Black Horse World Music Festival in Sussex, Crawley Folk Festival, Soho Jazz & Heritage Festival, UK Arts Council tour, the Gloucester Blues Festival, (Norway’s huge) Notodden Blues Festival, the Ørland Blues Fest, the Drobak Festival, Denmark’s annual Blues Cruise, the Duvel Blues Festival in Belgium & the Rotterdam Bluezy Festival in Holland.
Warrington is pleased to welcome the Cadillac Kings to what promises to be a really entertaining festival at the Pyramid Arts Centre.Tickets priced at £16 are available from the box office on 01925 442345 or online at www.pyramid/parrhall.com
And the good news is that anyone purchasing a ticket prior to the festival will be automatically entered into a draw for a Farida guitar which has kindly been donated by the main stage sponsor Dawson’s Music.’
One of the highlights of the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival last year was seeing the fabulous Janiva Magness. Here she is live in Tacoma.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=freF7dd-uDY
BLACK MANALISHI
“Trailblazer”
(self release)
Now here is something you won’t see reviewed on this website too often – a bona-fide rock album – but when the music and band in question is so good, exceptions to rules have to be made now and then! The Warrington-based Black Manalishi have financed and produced the excellent “Trailblazer” themselves – and to be honest it will stand alongside any British rock music of the last few years!
The band are Adam Ward (vocals), Nathan Moore (guitars), Carl Traynor (bass) and, just for the recording, Ben Egan (drums) – now replaced by permanent member, Lee Gallagher. They carry the torch for pure, classic rock – think a blend of Deep Purple, Free, Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath and more and you are roughly where the boys are coming from – with the music beautifully played and recorded, they rock hard one moment, but produce tasteful acoustic touches as well.
The opening title cut, “Trailblazer”, opens with a tough riff from Nathan Moore, whose guitar work is top notch all the way through, and rocks hard, as does the following “Hard Blown Away”, after a deceptively delicate opening. “On Attack” sees a change of pace, with strong percussion and a funky groove, courtesy of Nathan Moore’s wah-wah pedal – shades of the great Living Color on this for me!
“In This Room” starts as a slow number which gradually builds up, with great vocal from Adam Ward, with layers of electric and acoustic guitar – before a mid-song tempo change brings a storming middle part of the song, with shades of the late, great Paul Kossoff in Nathan Moore’s playing.
“Clapped Out Jimi” has funk overtones again – the clapped out Jimi in question being a camper van – with a brief spoken intro from the Warrington legend ‘Chris The Dancing Man’, pretty hard to make out a word of it though! The rowdy “Mine’s A Whiskey” has a nice bluesy guitar intro, before the drums of Ben Egan thunder in and the band are off and running – think “Burn”/”Stormbringer” era Deep Purple on this one, definitely one of my favourites on the album.
The acoustic-based “Break Free” has a lovely Crosby, Stills & Nash feel to it – and a song I would imagine that features in Adam Ward and Nathan Moore’s acoustic duo shows – with it again building, courtesy of more fine electric guitar. “Snakeskin Boots” rides along on another great riff – definitely more ‘Koss’ influence here, you could see this easily sitting on a Free record in 1972 – excellent stuff boys!
The album concludes with the heavy-riffing “Down We Go”, and “You’ll Ride” – with its banjo intro, touches of mandolin and acoustic guitar, and inspired by the recent movie “3:10 To Yuma” – a cowboy flavoured folk ballad, which shows the band’s ability to switch tempo and pace, and a great end to a fabulous, highly recommended release!
Obviously the band will be best caught live and they do gig extensively in the North West –this is as good a straight rock album I have heard for a long time, very well done to all concerned! They boast a strong front line in Nathan Moore and Adam Ward, and the rhythm section are also exceptionally good throughout, driving the music along in fine style – a great band!
GRAHAME RHODES
www.myspace.com/blackmanalishi
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