Tag Archive for 'cheshire'

Review: Paul Lamb - Warrington - 03 Oct 2008

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Grahame
on Monday 6 October 2008
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PAUL LAMB & THE KING SNAKES
Warrington Blues Club at Warrington Town FC: 03/10/08

North West visits by Paul Lamb & The Kingsnakes have become rarer over the years, so a return to Warrington was not be missed. The son of the North East has long been heralded as the UK ‘guv’nor’ of the blues harmonica, and the band now contain the considerable talent of his son Ryan on guitar, his presence toughening up the band’s sound.

The King Snakes are completed by the long-standing trio of Chad Strentz (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Rod Demick (bass and vocals) and Sonny Below (drums) - making one of the tightest units on the European blues scene, as they have been for a very long time. Two varied sets ranged from some great swinging tunes, some slow blues, and of course many nods to Paul Lamb’s ‘main man’, the great Sonny Terry.

The band kicked off the evening with a couple of showcases for young Ryan Lamb with a killer shuffle instrumental and a slow blues, before Lamb senior hit the stage for the Bo Diddley  flavoured “Crazy For Me”, and the jaunty “Money World”. Ryan plays with great tone, but with a lovely touch, never overplaying - and the perfect foil for his father.

The epic “Adopted Child” contained some quite stunning harmonica work from Paul Lamb, and impassioned vocal from Chad Strentz, with a great cover of Big Joe Williams oft-covered “Baby Please Don’t Go” driven along in a more swinging style - great work from Sonny Below, as good a drummer as there is in the UK blues scene.

The second set opened with “The Blues Had A Baby (And They Named That Baby Rock & Roll)”, complete with some ad-libbed lyrics, before Rod Demick took the vocals on his own “More Than Alright” - with audience participation on the chorus. The pace was taken down on a stunning version of Ray Charles “The Blackjack Game” - another fine vocal from Strentz and great guitar from Ryan Lamb.

We were taken down to Louisiana for Guitar Slim’s “The Things I Used To Do”, before a personal favourite from way back in the band’s catalogue, the lovely “Sweet Sweet Woman”. The a capella (apart from harmonica!) version of Sonny Terry’s “You Got To Mind” saw more audience involvement, and some crazy dancing from Rod Demick!

Some much-demanded encores saw just Paul Lamb and Chad Strentz return initially for a stripped-down “Key To The Highway”, before some fun on a rockabilly style romp through a medley of “I Got A Woman” and “Folsom Prison Blues”, with the whole band bringing it home, to round off a quite superb evening.

GRAHAME RHODES

Bluefunk Benefit Gig - 08 October

Published
by
Ken
on Sunday 5 October 2008
in Gigs and News
. 6 Comments

Thanks to northwest band Cactus Moon for letting us know about a benefit gig this week for the Bluefunk Club in Poynton.  I don’t know the details of the incident but it appears that the club suffered a loss of some sort on the night that Jon Cleary played.

Here’s the internet site of Cactus Moon themselves.  A fabulously designed site of a talented group of musicians and a first for bluesinthenorthwest.com - I have not seen a blues band mobile phone ringtone available before.  Hats off to a great idea.

http://www.cactusmoon.co.uk/

Gig: The Revolutionairies - Warrington - 12 Sept

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Ken
on Thursday 4 September 2008
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We have some new visitors to the bluesinthenorthwest.com region on Friday 12 Sept.  The Revolutionairies are a sizzling hot 1950s combo and will be making what I believe to be their first visit to our part of the world.

http://www.revolutionaires.co.uk

Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.

Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown, but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.

Over the last five years, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK Rockin’ circuit, as well as breaking onto the Blues scene. Highlights have included supporting Walter Trout at Nottingham Rock City, performing at the Colne Blues Festival, the Summer Jamboree in Senigallia, Italy and playing at the prestigious Rhythm Riot Festival.

They have a full itinerary of work in 2008, both home and abroad, which includes festivals in France, Germany, Spain, Malta and Dubai.

The band has recorded three CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!

If you ‘get yourself down’ to a Revs gig, in the words of the Ronnie Molleen tune.
” We’ll be rockin’ up a storm tonight! “

Warrington Blues Club - Autumn Line Up

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Ken
on Wednesday 27 August 2008
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Ray has published his autumn gig line up.  The majority will be at the usual location at the Football Club in Warrington; in addition Ray has a new venue in Buckley, North Wales (close to Chester) for one of the gigs.

September 12th - The Revolutionaires
October 3rd - Paul Lamb & The King Snakes
October 24th - The Cadillac Kings
November 21st - Guy Tortora Band
December 5th - Ian Parker Band.
All at Warrington Town Football Club

September 27th Big Boy Bloater
At The Academy
Mold Road
Buckley
CH7 2JA
Doors open 7-45
£10 Ticket or on the door

All the reports that I have heard of Big Boy Bloater say that he is stunning and has a killer band.

http://www.bigboybloater.com/
Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!

Vintage: September 2004

Published
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Grahame
on Tuesday 19 August 2008
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VINTAGE REVIEW
PAUL BYRD
Warrington R&B Club, Warrington Town FC: 17.09.04

The supremely talented Texan guitarist Paul Byrd, on his fourth visit to these shores, stopped off at Warrington for the first time, and gave the excellent turn-out a night of fantastic blues to remember!

The man from Forth Worth is a powerful performer - a master guitar player and also a great singer, who knows how to work a crowd with his laid-back charm very evident - picked up from many years on the road back home.

Backed by a great Midlands trio - Chris Lomas (bass), Fred Skidmore (keyboards) and Carl Hemmingsley (drums) - he delivered two knockout sets of classic blues - many from such masters as BB, Freddie and Albert King, together with songs from his current “Without Further Adieu” album.

The night kicked off with the rollicking “Sugar Free, Sugar Mama”, with its wry lyrics, before the first dip into the Albert King catalogue with the classic “Don’t Burn Down The Bridge” - with Byrd firing off some classic guitar lines, his face a picture of passion for the music and straight from the heart!

The timeless “Key To The Highway” was delivered in a funky groove, the way the late, great fellow Texan, Freddie King, used to play it, before the tempo was taken up for his own “Owe, Owe, Owe”, with its Jimmy Reed feel.

A much longer second set kicked off with Otis Rush’s “Cut You Loose”, with keyboard man Fred Skidmore given ample opportunity to solo, as indeed he was all night - having seen him many times in different bands this was probably the best I have seen him play!

Two standouts in the second set were the great “The Hustle Is On”, from another Texas legend, T-Bone Walker, with more fantastic guitar from Byrd; and the lovely jazz song, “Funny How Time Slips Away”. Another highlight was the Latimore song, “Straighten It Out” - his interpretation of this r&b hit from 1974, featured possibly the most intense vocal performance of the night.

A great medley featuring “Driving Wheel”, “So Many Roads, So Many Trains” and “Help The Poor” saw some blistering slow blues as Byrd stood tall at the front of the stage and let rip some quite stunning guitar.

A raucous end to a truly great night saw an audience sing-along on “Downhome Blues”, with the whole room joining in, and a romp through “Sweet Home Chicago”, which saw the dance floor full.

Many thanks must go to Ray and Barbara O’Hare for bringing such a great artist to the area - this is a man who should be on the main stage at festivals - promoters please take note! Come back soon Mr. Byrd - you are the real deal!

GRAHAME RHODES

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Review: Lymm Festival Blues Night at The Cruising Club, Lymm - 3 July 2008

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Lionel
on Monday 7 July 2008
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As in previous years, this year’s Lymm Festival Blues Night was a sell-out. The attractive billing featured Stockport-based blues band, Atlanta Roots, supported by Tommy Allen and Johny Hewitt in acoustic mode.

The duo set the ball rolling with a cracking set, with Tommy Allen on acoustic and resonator guitars (and bass drum) and Johny Hewitt on harmonica. They shared vocal duties and, in a varied programme, delivered excellent versions of Elmore James’s “Coming Home” and “Steady Rolling Man”, the latter complete with wonderful Sonny Boy Williamson-style ‘naked’ harp. They followed an upbeat shuffle and a bouncing boogie with a fine, bluesy version of “Proud Mary”, with Tommy Allen excelling on slide-driven resonator. They rounded things off with some enthusiastically entered audience participation on Jimmy Reed’s “You Don’t Have To Go” and “Memphis Nights”. It was a great start to the evening and another impressive performance by this rapidly developing double act.

The only downside to the early proceedings was the need to close the club’s windows following a complaint from a neighbouring resident that the volume was too high. Someone suggested that perhaps Sooty was unable to get to sleep; but that notion was quickly dismissed when it was confirmed that he had long since moved away from the area.

MC and event organizer, Dave Sawyer, then explained (or was it a post-hoc rationalisation) that, in order to comply with the gardening theme of the festival, he had deliberately chosen Allen and Hewitt for their blues roots connection and the name of the headlining band, Atlanta Roots, reinforced that line of thought. In response, Barry Lord, lead singer of the band, observed that the level of humour for the evening had now been established.

Atlanta Roots opened their account with an energetic rendition of Humble Pie’s “Natural Born Woman” with all members of the band except drummer, Charlie Whitehead, sharing lead vocals, including bass guitarist, Jim Ensor, while Barry Lord added to the mix on harmonica. Other than a splendid version of Brownie McGhee’s slow blues, “Sporting Life”, the rest of the first set almost exclusively comprised non-blues numbers - ostensibly, to avoid an early bedtime for the largely non-blues-oriented audience. It was nevertheless an enjoyable set and included Bob Dylan’s “She Belongs To Me”, The Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle Me With Care” and Tom Petty’s “You And I Will Meet Again”.

The second set opened with the catchy “For Some Time” and featured a brilliant solo from guitarist, Greg Ainsworth, who then delivered a terrific version of Peter Green’s “Watch Out”, taking the vocals and sharing superb lead guitar riffs with slide guitarist, Bill Worthington. John Lennon’s “Come Together” was interpolated between “It Hurts Me Too” and “Help Me” as a ‘respite’ before the blues re-emerged with “Hoochie Coochie Man” and Carey Bell’s “What My Mama Told Me”. An encore was very appropriately demanded and provided in the form of The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There”.

It was a very entertaining evening, which combined good music with humorous banter, including an on-going mock battle between Barry Lord and members of the Warrington and District Neil Diamond Appreciation Society, whose intermittent requests for “Sweet Caroline” and “I’m A Believer” were contemptuously rejected.

Lionel Ross

[photograph of Barry Lord and Greg Ainsworth by Gill Fox]

Photo: Nicky Moore in Warrington

Published
by
Ken
on Sunday 22 June 2008
in Northwest Pictures
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There are some photos uploaded from shertila of the recent Nicky Moore gig at Warrington Blues Club.
If you want to see the others then you can take a look at shertila’s Flickr photo stream.

Flickr photo Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation, originally uploaded by shertila.

Gig: Connie Lush - Chester - 19 June

Published
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Ken
on Wednesday 18 June 2008
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Connie Lush and Blues Shouter will be at Alexanders in Chester this Thursday.  19 June.

http://www.alexandersjazz.com/

http://www.connielush.com/

Gig: Ash Grunwald - Telfords Warehouse, Chester - 04 July.

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Ken
on Saturday 7 June 2008
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This looks interesting. I have to admit, Ash Grunwald is a name that I had not heard before. Check out the rather good YouTube clip.

He’s on at Telfords on July 4th.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nThCw-WyFU4

Review: Ian Siegal - Warrington - 30 May 2008

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Grahame
on Monday 2 June 2008
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THE IAN SIEGAL BAND
Warrington R&B Club, at Warrington Town FC: 30 May 2008

Somewhat of a coup for Ray and Barbara O’Hare this, the return of probably the most-heralded British blues artist of the last few years, in the intimate surroundings of the Warrington R&B Club, with the lucky patrons treated to a quite storming evening of well over two hours of not just blues - but a whole mix of genres, from rockabilly to country, with rock and soul thrown in for good measure!

Ian Siegal and his superb rhythm section of over ten years - Andy Graham (bass) and Nikolaj Bjerre (drums) - form a most potent trio, and in a show full of surprises showed why they are in such demand. Siegal’s ferocious Howling Wolf meets Tom Waits voice has been well documented, but his guitar playing is also of the top calibre. He was content to let his songs from “Meat & Potatoes” and “Swagger” take a back seat and filled the two sets with some most unexpected covers.

The first half-hour illustrated what a playful mood he was in - starting with the Bo Diddley beat of “Ride On Josephine”, before going into Howling Wolf’s “Meet Me At The Bottom”, then some Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, before his own “Mortal Coil Shuffle” - the slide-dominated version off “Swagger”, being turned into a slow blues with some fiery soloing from Siegal and his vintage guitar.

After a relatively short first set and a lengthy break Ian Siegal returned acoustic and solo with a lovely take on Steve Earle’s “My Old Friend The Blues” - another acoustic tune was followed by the return of the band, and another treat, the late, great Warren Zevon’s “Carmelita” - proclaimed as Ian Siegal’s ‘favourite song of all time’ - praise indeed!

The packed house were loving every second and the show moved up a gear with the opening brace of songs from “Meat & Potatoes” - the strutting swagger of “Sugar Rush” and the dark “Revelator (John The Apostle)”, before a real Creedence-flavoured version of “Horse Dream”, which visited Tony Joe White’s classic “Polk Salad Annie” - great stuff!

The midnight hour turned and the band were called back to the stage twice - the first set of encores included the traditional “I Shall Not Be Moved” - dedicated to Swedish nurses (don’t ask!), before developing into another off-the-cuff medley including “Freight Train”, “Mystery Train” and “That’s Alright Mama” - the breathless band were then coaxed back from the car park to conclude a magnificent evening with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, played Luther Allison style, as it was the song the late blues guitar legend always ended his shows with.

A genre-busting show from possibly the most potent performer on the circuit, with a fine band - Ian Siegal plays with so much passion and enjoys every minute of what he does, which results in evenings of maximum enjoyment. Long may he and his fine band keep doing it - the fact that most of it seemed spontaneous helped - no rigid set lists and no thought of plugging albums!

GRAHAME RHODES

Note from Ken - 01 June 2008

There are some great pictures from the event from the excellent photographer Paul Webster.  Go to Paul’s Flickr site to see them.

Not recorded at the Warrington gig, but for a fair representation of the band in all their glory check out the many YouTubes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXhIiJFWAiA

Review: Ian Siegal - Warrington - 30 May 2008

Published
by
Ken
on Saturday 31 May 2008
in Northwest Pictures and Reviews
. 1 Comment

Ian Siegal Band -Warrington Blues Club -30 May 2008

Ian Siegal

It was an excellent night at Warrington Blues Club last night featuring the excellent Ian Siegal Band. A full review will follow but I thought that I’d just upload a few initial impressions and a dodgy picture.

Ian and the boys stormed through over two hours worth of blues, funk, country, americana etc. The thing that I like very much about Ian Siegal is that he always brings passion to the show, you never get the feeling that he is going through the motions. All three of them really seem to enjoy themselves on stage and the enjoyment really shines through. There is a strong feeling of arrangements being done on the fly in true improvised tradition, I even saw Ian leading the band using the old jazz hand key signals for the different chords.

Readers of bluesinthenorthwest.com will know that I am a terrible photographer, I only have a little pointy clicky camera and zero skill to go with it. I was lucky enough to meet blues fan and excellent photographer Paul Webster. I am certain that Paul will have some top quality photographs and I will post the link to them when they are available. The lucky devil is off to Chicago this weekend so we may have to wait a few weeks.

Gig: Ian Siegal - Warrington - 30 May 2008

Published
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Ken
on Wednesday 28 May 2008
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siegal

The Ian Siegal Band play the Warrington Blues Club this Friday 30 May 2008.

“Awash with wit, lust and distraction…one of the most inventive Blues recordings ever made by a British artist.” MOJO****

“This album is a rare combination of cleverness and craft.” **** (Excellent) PENGUIN BOOK OF BLUES RECORDINGS

It has been said that had Siegal been around in the sixties he would today be accorded the same reverence as artists such as Van Morrison, Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton. Instead, he is a child of the seventies who dropped out of art college in the late eighties to go busking in Germany. From the streets of Berlin Siegal progressed to clubs around Nottingham, then to London and ultimately to major stages around Europe.

Two successive European tours (2003/4) opening for ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings brought him to the attention of a wider audience. This was followed by UK tours as a duo with Big Bill Morganfield (son of Muddy Waters, the man who Siegal calls The Blues God). During this time Siegal was also capturing the hearts of audiences in Holland, Belgium, Austria and Hungary. In 2005 he topped the Soul/Blues/Jazz charts in Holland and in 2006 he debuted in the USA, appearing at major clubs and the largest music festival on the West Coast.

“If my Daddy were alive today he’d say “That’s my boy!” BIG BILL MORGANFIELD (son of Muddy Waters)

Moving to London to further his career was inevitable and Ian was soon an established part of the London Blues community. That’s where today’s Ian Siegal band was born.

Many gigs followed, along with a number of appearances with American artists. He has also sung with other bands, notably The Lee Sankey Group and can be heard on the album “Tell Me There’s a Sun”.

Appearances on larger festival stages followed - such as Edinburgh, Lugano, Peer, North Sea Jazz – establishing him as one of the most natural, exciting and vibrant talents on the scene today.

http://www.myspace.com/iansiegal

http://www.iansiegal.com/

Gig: Dani Wilde - Telfords, Chester - 14 June 2008

Published
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Ken
on Sunday 11 May 2008
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Having been exposed to a range of music genres as a child, ranging from 60s and 70s Motown and Stax records, to Chicago Blues, and being encouraged by her father to start gigging the local pub circuit whilst still in her early teens, it was clear to see that Dani Wilde was already well on her way to becoming somewhat of a special talent.
When asked what made Dani decide to become a blues singer she replied “Well, when I was 14, I went to Bishopstock Blues Festival in the UK and that was where I saw the likes of contemporary blues singers Sue Foley, Shemekia Copeland and Susan Tedeschi perform. Before then I had only heard the old Chicago players like John Lee and Muddy Waters but to see young female artists playing the blues like that really blew me away and so I made it my mission to follow in Susan Tedeschi’s footsteps. Her performance was inspirational and had a life changing effect on me in regards to my music career.”

You can see Dani play live at Telfords Warehouse, Chester on 14 June 2008

http://www.rufrecords.de/artists/59_dani-wilde.html

http://www.daniwilde.com/

http://www.telfordswarehouse.co.uk/