blues news - blues reviews - blues gig guide
There is a strong blues presence at the latest Cellar Club event at Aigburth Peoples Centre, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool, on Friday, July 10th.
Among the performers are Lucy Zirins, the young slide guitar-totin’ lass from Lancashire who is getting rave notices, plus Liverpool’s favourite blues duo Blue C.
Also on the bill are the Tom Cartledge Band and Aprentis.
Doors 8pm, admission £3.50.
BLUES AT THE FRINGE WITH…
TOMMY ALLEN & JOHNY HEWITT
At The Llangollen Fringe Festival ‘09
Town Hall, Castle St.
Wednesday 22nd July
Tommy Allen & Johny Hewitt will be performing at The Llangollen Town Hall on Wednesday 22nd July. Tickets Are £7 available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk and the Fringe Box Office: 0800 046 7665. Doors Open 7.30pm
In keeping with those in the previous four years, the blues night arranged by Dave and Shirley Sawyer as part of the Lymm Festival was well supported by a very enthusiastic crowd. On this occasion, the music was provided by the Tommy Allen Band, two members of which, Tommy himself on Fender guitar, mandolin and bass drum and harmonica player Johny Hewitt, set matters running with a stimulating set of acoustic blues. The duo shared the vocals and, amid an array of variously-paced shuffles, they delivered particularly fine versions of “Mean Old ‘Frisco” and “Nine Below Zero”, with Tommy on vocals on the former and Johny on vocals and beautifully delivered wah-wah-drenched harp on the latter.
After a short break, the band’s splendid rhythm section joined the fray - Mickey Barker on drums and Chris Lomas on bass guitar. In full band mode, Tommy Allen delivered the vast majority of the lead vocals, starting with the rousing “Texas Love” and “Listen To Me, Baby”. Johny Hewitt provided the vocals for “Can’t Stop Loving Her”, which afforded him and Tommy the opportunity to strut their stuff with wonderful solos. The first set also included a couple of shuffles and a country-style ballad, but the pick of the session were two Robert Johnson numbers: a lovely rendition of “Milk Cow Blues” and a tremendous, extended version of “Walkin’ Blues”, complete with wailing harp and a cameo performance from drummer Mickey Barker.
The second set began with a medium-paced shuffle, followed by a couple of upbeat rockers, the first graced with a tremendous guitar solo and another taste of magical harp and the second featuring a splendid bass line from Chris Lomax. After a couple of slow blues, the pace was regenerated with “Livin’ In The Belly Of The World” and brought to a climax with a driving delivery of “Mystery Train”. An encore was loudly demanded and the band responded with “Johnny B Goode”, “Little Queenie” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”, topped off with a whopping dose of boogie, which saw the previously uninhabited dance floor awash with dancers. Without doubt, a blues night is now an essential feature of the Lymm Festival, and performances like this one can only reinforce that development.
Lionel Ross
(photograph by Gill Fox)
The evening session got under way on the main stage with a rousing uptempo RnB blast from The Dirty Robbers, led by ex-Cadillac Kings guitarist Oliver Darling - also to be seen in Mike Sanchez’s band, and in the absence of keyboards, the superb Paul Garner on second guitar - also to have graced The Cadillac Kings guitar slot, together with the rhythm section of Craig Rhind (bass) and Matt Cowley (drums). A spirited hour featured mainly tunes from their first album, kicking off with “Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’ “, and Richard Berry’s oft-covered “Have Love Will Travel”, with a dip into some classic Peter Green for “Watch Out”, from the “Blues Jam in Chicago” album . . . a set highlight. The eloquently titled “Lemon Squeezer” was a taster from the forthcoming second album, with more dips into the first album for a corking “Lonesome Woman Blues” and “Mary Lou”.
Either side of The Producers, Naomi Mather and Rory Ellis played second sets . . . not much to add to Lionel’s fine words, just to echo his sentiments really. Naomi Mather is a real talent, a product of the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and she possesses a quite beautiful voice, and is a deft guitar picker and slide player, her “Born At The Wrong Time” EP comes highly recommended, with the second set featuring a reprise of the strutting “Can’t Do Nothing”. Ashamedly I must admit to not having heard of Rory Ellis before the festival… Wow!, he was without doubt most people’s star of the day! Coming across as a Melbourne hybrid of Johnny Cash, Steve Earle and Tom Russell, his rootsy tales of childhood, politics and more were just superb, with his strumming guitar and banjo work beautifully fleshed out by Alex Roberts more intricate guitar and lap slide - this guy having driven six hours from Poole to play the set! A reprise of “Work” saw some audience participation, with another treat being the lovely “Railway Parade”, his deep, rich voice and story telling winning over the crowd.
Back in the mid to late 1990s’ The Producers were without doubt one of Britain’s most popular blues bands, but split, actually playing their last North West gig at Hooker Blues Club in Wrexham . . . fitting then that their first gig back in the area should be here at the festival. Original members Harry Skinner (lead vocals and guitar) and Dave Saunders (bass) are now joined by Ray Drury (keyboards) and Biff Smith (drums). A beautifully delivered set featured some sparkling guitar from Harry Skinner, who also was on top form vocally, with newcomer Drury excelling on the keyboards. New material included “I Got Blues” and “Some People Say”, with a dip into the back catalogue for “Bitter And Twisted And Blue” . . . with the great “Take Me The Long Way Home, another new song, being well received. It’s nice to have such a fine band back on the scene!
Bringing a quite fabulous day to an end were possibly the best live band on the circuit at the moment - The Stumble - who after a recent storming headlining slot at the Warrington Blues Festival, could not fail with their uptempo mix of blues, soul and more! The area in front of the stage soon became a full dance floor as an extended over-curfew (only slightly!) set of favourites were performed. Set highlights were rip-roaring opener of Hound Dog Taylor’s “Gimme Back My Wig”, the stomping “Maudie” and a slide driven “The World Is Tough” - the title cut of the band’s first album. The band got soulful on “Bus Stop”, from the second album, “The Houngan”, but were back with the blues on a ferocious “Meet Me At The Bottom”. They were afforded the first encore of the day, purely due to time demands, and played the show-stopping “All Over Again”, a gorgeous slow blues, with brilliant guitar from Colin Black and impassioned vocal from Paul Melville. This band go from strength to strength, and are pretty unstoppable at the moment. The full line-up is Paul Melville (vocals), Colin Black (guitar and harmonica), Jonny Spencer (guitar), Simon Anthony (saxophone), Dave Heath (bass) and Boyd Tonner (drums).
Thanks from me to the organisers - particularly Pete Evans, Paul Taylor and Ian Williams - and to all volunteers and helpers. This was a great festival - reasonably priced, good beer, etc., and long may it prosper, see you in 2010.
GRAHAME RHODES
All pictures from both reviews supplied by Grahame Rhodes; these and more have been uploaded to the bluesinthenorthwest.com photo archive.
This was the fifth Worthenbury Blues and Roots Festival, building on the wonderful heritage of the Dragon Blues Festivals that graced Wrexham Rugby Club for many memorable years. The venue for the open-air festival is farmland kindly made available by Michael and Elizabeth Brownrigg at the village that lies between Malpas and Bangor-on-Dee in North Wales.
The event comprised a main stage and an adjacent acoustic stage, on which the action alternated in impressively quick succession. The task of opening the show on the acoustic stage fell to Hopson, a trio of local sixth-formers, who were making their first ever public appearance. As if that were not daunting enough, the lads had also been forced to regroup owing to the indisposition of their bass guitarist, Adam Squire, as a result of a broken wrist. Rhythm-guitarist Gavin Hooson bravely filled the gap and joined drummer Alex Squire in the engine room. Led by singer/guitarist John Taylor, the band overcame their first-date nerves and went on to deliver an enthusiastic set that included numbers by Bob Dylan and the White Stripes.
First up on the main stage were Newton-le-Willows-based Papa Legba, with singer/guitarist Alan Crawford very ably supported by his brother, Scott, on bass guitar and Graham Brighouse on drums. Their vibrant set combined some rocked up versions of Robert Johnson and Son House favourites, SRV’s “Pride and Joy” and some beautifully played slow blues, including a fine rendition of Eddy Boyd’s “Five Long Years”. There was also an airing of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and a rousing delivery of Rory Gallagher’s “A Million Miles Away” to provide a terrific impetus to the day’s events.
Back on the acoustic stage, Liverpool-based Naomi Mather entered the afternoon session with the first of two sets, the second forming part of the evening session. Naomi demonstrated her burgeoning talent as a songwriter with a programme of excellent original songs. She accompanied her beautifully clear vocals with highly accomplished playing on acoustic, resonator and lap guitars, showing equal mastery of finger-picking and slide techniques. She also tapped the rhythm on a very effective stomp box. This is a young lady who is surely destined to make a considerable impact across the British blues scene.
The main stage was then taken by storm by Big Blues Tribe, a nine-piece ensemble from the Midlands that boasted no less than a five-piece brass section. Fronted by big-voiced singer/trumpeter Oliver Carpenter, they opened their account very appropriately with “Let The Good Times Roll”, an apt description of what lay in store. Other delights included “King Of The New York Streets”, “St James Infirmary Blues” and a reggae-style version of “I’m In The Mood For Love”, for which Beth Naylor and Abby Brant took over the vocals. They also provided close harmonies on a gospel number before ending a highly entertaining set with an upbeat rocker. The band reported that they were dashing off to a second gig in Worcester. “That’s two gigs in one day,” they boasted. “Come to think of it, it’s only the second gig this year!” one of them added. The truth is more likely to be that they are in great demand, if this performance is anything to go by.
At each of the previous Worthenbury festivals, there has been a surprise package that has stolen the show. This year’s event was no exception to that rule, as Australian singer/guitarist Rory Ellis proved with his two warmly-received appearances on the acoustic stage. Supplemented by the superb playing of Alex Roberts on lap slide guitar, the man from Geelong produced a stunning mix of powerful vocals, brilliant guitar and banjo playing and hilarious chat. His two sets featured many of the tracks from his most recent album, including the title song, “Two Feathers”, a compilation of high quality original songs, which draw heavily on his eventful life. A particular highlight was “No Love In This war”, while “Home Tonight” was inspired by his spending an eternity trying to find an appropriate exit from the Leicester ring road – an ordeal that has been universally endured. Lost in Leicester, perhaps, but found by a host of admiring fans at Worthenbury.
The headlining act of the afternoon session on the main stage was the recently re-formed Down At Antones. Led by founder member, singer/guitarist Neil Partington, the band comprised bluesinthenorthwest’s own Ken Peace (also a founder member of the band) on harp, Nick Lauro on drums and Steve Brown on bass. On this occasion, the band also included Paul Need, guesting on keys in the absence of usual keyboard player, Glen Lewis. The band shuffled into action with Howlin’ Wolf’s “Riding In The Moonlight” and a fine version of “Black Cat Bone”. The jazz standard, “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” featured some wonderfully full-bodied harp and tasty guitar and keyboard solos, all immaculately driven by the rhythm section. The nicely varied set included Rice Miller’s slow blues, “Cross My Heart”, and a lovely portion of New Orleans funk in the shape of “Pocky Way”. The icing on the already delicious cake was provided by the introduction of Johny Hewitt to weave his harmonica magic on Lowell Fulson’s “Reconsider, Baby”, followed by top class interplay with Ken Peace on the driving boogie, “Biting The Bullet”, to climax a tremendous set.
Pete Evans, Paul Taylor, Ian Williams and their myriad assistants are to be congratulated on yet another magnificent event. It is entirely fitting that the quality of the line-up and the excellence of the organisational arrangements was matched by a massive attendance and brilliant sunshine.
Lionel Ross
Ry Cooder is playing at The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Saturday, 11th July. If you want tickets to see be quick because it will be a sell-out.
This was the third appearance of the John O’Leary Band at Liverpool Marina, which speaks volumes for their popularity at the city’s premier blues venue. There were a couple of changes to the previous line-up of the band: Wayne Proctor replaced Joachim Greve on drums and singer/guitarist Dave Day was added to the core membership. However, the basic elements were still in place: John O’Leary on vocals and harp, Jules Fothergill on guitar, Jools Grudgings on keyboard and Roger Inniss on bass guitar.
The band opened with “Born In Chicago”, which afforded an immediate opportunity for Day, O’Leary, Grudgings and Fothergill to set down their markers as highly skilled soloists, while a splendid rendition of Junior Wells’s “Snatch It Back And Hold It” featured a cameo solo from Roger Inniss on bass guitar. O’Leary conjured up some mean harp on “Early In The Morning”, which was also blessed with a fabulous solo from Fothergill, before newcomer, Dave Day, delivered excellent lead vocals and tasty guitar on “Need Your Love So Bad” and Steely Dan’s ”Do It Again”. The first set was completed with “Little By Little”, on which Grudgings was the major magician, closely followed by a marvellous interplay between the two guitarists.
The second set began with “Don’t Let My Baby Ride”, for which Jules Fothergill produced a phenomenal solo, enhanced by superb underpinning by Wayne Proctor. Dave Day then resumed lead vocals on the slow blues, “Double Trouble”, which featured some great harp playing from O’Leary, and his own “I Only Want To Have Some Fun” before the highlight of the evening – a fantastic version of “Black Cat Bone”, on which all members of the band excelled, including the superb rhythm section. The loudly demanded encore comprised four numbers sharing a common beat: “Yonder’s Wall”, Elmore James’s “One Way Out”, the original “Roadhouse Man” and everybody’s favourite, “Help Me”. The standing ovation that erupted at the close was completely unanimous and thoroughly warranted by the truly magnificent show.
Lionel Ross
I had a great time at Worthenbury yesterday. I enjoyed playing the spot with Down at Antone’s and I enjoyed all the music and the good friends that I met.
There will be a review shared between regular bluesinthenorthwest.com writers Lionel Ross and my partner in crime Grahame Rhodes. Watch this space for details.
Thanks to all the organisers and the volunteers. A terrific job. My sincere thanks. I didn’t take many pictures for two reasons 1. I’m not very good and 2. I’m lazy. However I did try to capture some pictures that would be a bit different to everyone else’s.
The sweet collection of Gibsons belong to Jonny Spencer of The Stumble. Top bloke.
Roll on Worthenbury 2010.
I’m looking forward to the Worthenbury Festival today. A chance to see some old friends and make some new ones. It’s a great event and is highly recommended.
The weather forecast is not perfect but it is not bad, a bit of drizzle early on then fine later.
http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/index.php/2009/06/12/gig-worthenbury-festival-sat-27-june-2009/
See you later.
FRIDAY JULY 17th LISA MILLS & IAN JENNINGS £10
Mississippi born Lisa, our favourite American female blues singer makes a welcome return with Big Town Playboys double bass player Ian. Likened to a mix of Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and Janis Joplin, Lisa has actually played with Big Brother and The Holding Company. She has also performed with Robert Plant, Jeff Beck and Jools Holland and appeared at Glastonbury
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18th THE GUY TORTORA BAND £10
Pasadena native but now living in London, Guy brings his four piece band playing one set acoustic and one electric. A superb guitarist he has built up a strong reputation and has over the last two years played on stage with Eric Clapton, Jon Cleary, Eric Bibb and Pee Wee Ellis.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 23rd LITTLE TOBY WALKER £10
Back by popular demand after an amazing gig last year, Toby from New York makes a very welcome return. A superb acoustic guitarist and vocalist who learnt his trade at the feet of Mississippi’s finest - RL Burnside, Eugene Powell, Son Thomas and Jack Owens.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6th WOODY MANN & TOM DOUGHTY £12
This is a major scoop for us -Woody Man has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading jazz guitarists but was taught blues by Rev Gary Davis and played with Son House, Bukka White and John Fahey. On a UK tour at many major theatres (Including Theatre Clwyd)and Arts Centres, we are the smallest venue on the tour so early booking required.
Check his website www.woodyman.com.
Tom Doughty from Cheshire is a very remarkable man. Severely injured in a rta as a teenager, he only restarted playing guitar a few years ago with the instrument attached to his wheel chair. Even with restricted movement he is an amazing guitarist and has developed a superb technique whilst becoming a firm friend of Woody.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21st THE HOKUM HOTSHOTS AT BANGOR ON DEE HALL
This is a gig we’ve arranged for The Bangor Academicals, a charitable group in Bangor. There will be a limited number of tickets available near the date to see these funtime Geordie Blues musicians. More details nearer the date.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4th DAVE KELLY £10
Top UK guitarist Dave leaves Paul Jones and The Blues Band at home for this solo gig when he will play all sorts of songs and tunes that have influenced him and made him the UK blues legend that he is.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18th THE DERRIN NAUENDORF BAND £12
Top Aussie acoustic guitarist Derrin was one of the 1st musicians to play at Worthenbury and is long overdue. This time appearing with his trio, a band that took last year’s Maryport Festival by storm, Derrin is now one of the biggest names on the world blues/roots scene and this will be a memorable night – again cancel all Christmas parties for this night!
There is nore information in the full programme that you can download from here.
Gary Fletcher Band (feat Bernie Marsden)
Southport Arts Centre
4 July 2009
There is a late, and rather exciting, change to the date with Michael Roach, at the Southport Arts Centre on Saturday 4 July…
Rock Legends Step Into the Breach
A last minute hitch, followed by frantic round of phone calls, has created an unexpected treat for Blues and Classic Rock fans at Southport Arts Centre.
Internationally acclaimed Blues star Michael Roach will head back to Southport in July on a star-studded double-bill also featuring The Gary Fletcher Band, with a one-off line-up including former and current members of The Blues Band, Dire Straits and Whitesnake.
The Michael Roach Band wowed the audience at a gig at Southport Arts Centre last year and the full band were due to return until ex-Wizzard star Roy Wood poached Michael’s horn section. So the frontman is coming to perform a solo set, on Saturday, July 4, at 8pm, and Arts Centre Programme Manager John Sprackland has pulled a rabbit out of the hat by adding Gary Fletcher’s band, with special guest Bernie Marsden, to the bill.
Roach, originally from Washington DC, is an internationally acclaimed blues artist, with a soulful voice and fantastic personality and will play a solo set at the Arts Centre before making way for the fantastic Gary Fletcher Band.
Gary Fletcher recently played with The Blues Band to a packed out Crosby Civic Hall, so his fans are in for a treat when he returns this time to Southport Arts Centre with his other band.
The Gary Fletcher Band line up will feature Pick Withers (Dire Straits) on drums, Jack Fletcher on bass, Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake) on lead guitar and Gary Fletcher (Blues Band) on guitar and vocals.
John Sprackland, Performing Arts Programme Manager at Southport Arts Centre, says: “They say every cloud has a silver lining and the circumstances that brought this amazing line up together proves it! When Michael Roach found out at short notice that his band were not going to be able to make the date I jumped at the chance to put the Gary Fletcher Band on, only to find that Gary’s regular guitarist was unavailable. Then, a few phone calls later, Gary told me that he’d persuaded Whitesnake legend Bernie Marsden to join him for one night only! So, there you have it * a genuinely unique not-to-be-missed event.”
Tickets are £10 or £8 for concessions, available by calling Southport Arts Centre box office on 01704-540011 or by logging onto www.seftonarts.co.uk
Bernie Marsden picture from Stellacart
Thursday 25th June - at BJ’s Blues Club - TOMORROW
the Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley www.hoppocket.co.uk
The Boozie Woozie Band
And now for something completely different!
The Boozie Woozies are a ‘splinter band’ from The Winchesters fronted by the irrepressible Andy Stones on Keyboards. The name of this band really gives you more than just a clue, yes it’s fun & musical frolics all the way. The big question is what really is holding the Yellin’ Yettis “15 Quid Drum Kit” together?
Five Star Entertainment!
Sorry no web site for these guys…..they are so far ‘off the radar’.
The Boozie Woozies line up as follows:-
PAUL KISTER – Lead guitar/Vocals
HORACE DOGSON - Bass Guitar/Vocals
ANDY STONES – Keyboards/Lead Vocals
YELLIN’ YETTI – “15 Quid Drum Kit”
9.30 Its Free!!
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Yes, after several years’ absence, the boys are back in business - or, more graphically, in the words of promoter Ray Bruchez, ‘the Prods are prodding again’. Before their break-up, The Producers were undoubtedly one of the best and most popular blues bands in the UK. The reformed ensemble still boasts the exceptional talent of singer/guitarist Harry Skinner and Dave Saunders on bass guitar. New additions are Ray Drury on Hammond and piano and Biff Smith on drums. They will be playing their usual mix of Harry’s superb originals, including some newly-penned compositions, and excellent versions of some well-loved covers. What a mouth-watering prospect!
Bed and breakfast accommodation is also available at the hotel at £50 for a twin room and £30 for a single room. So come along, relax, enjoy the band, have a good night’s sleep and enjoy Ray’s legendary breakfast - that’s two mouth-watering prospects in a single visit.
The Royal Hotel is situated at 7 Nantwich Road, Crewe.CW2 6AG. Tickets for the concert (a snip at only £5 each) are obtainable from Ray Bruchez or Sonya on 01270-257398 or by email to rylhotel@yahoo.co.uk.
Tommy Allen and Johny Hewitt
Wyre Blues sessions at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood
25 June 2009
Thursday June 25th sees the next of the popular Wyre Blues sessions at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood with the first appearance in the area of Tommy Allen & Johny Hewitt. Tommy is better known for his guitar duties with Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation and Trafficker and Johnny plays with Cheshire based Smokehouse Blues.
A mutual love of acoustic delta blues and electric Chicago blues saw them get together to jam and later, play pubs & clubs up and down the country.
A few words from their myspace site:-
The well-balanced musical mixture of Tommy Allen and Johny Hewitt has come from years of love and passion of the true blues. These two guys in everyday life perform in totally different style bands; though grown from the same roots, these roots are where Allen and Hewitt meet and take us on their very own journey to where the delta headed to Chicago and became electrified. You would have seen and heard music like this along Maxwell Street every day with the likes of Robert Nighthawk, Carey Bell and many other artists who bridged that pre-war acoustic and post-war urban electric styles. Tommy Allen and Johny Hewitt, the duo, are no-frills, no-nonsense, raw and honest and like Johny says, “Let the music speak for itself”.
Thursday June 25th at 9.00 in the Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Admission £2.50.
The excellent site Early Blues have published a set of excellent photos from the brilliant Warrington Festival that was held on 23 May.
Check out the link below for the picture sets. Great work.
http://www.earlyblues.com/Warrington%20R&B%20Festival%202009.htm
Do you remember the festival…..
B.B. King and Special Guest John Mayall
MEN Arena Manchester
Manchester
Wed 24 Jun 2009, 19:30
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