Don’t forget that you can see the all new Tommy Allen Band featuring Johny Hewitt at the Academy in Buckley tonight.
See the original post for more information.
Tag Archive for 'chester'
This June sees a new festival making an appearance in Chester. “Banned in Chester” runs over four nights and two venues and showcases some of the UK’s most exciting, and original artists of their genre.
There is some blues in there. Check out the website for more details.
Tommy Allen Band - The Academy Buckley
20 June 2009
This month, the beautiful venue in Buckley The Academy features The Tommy Allen Band. This is Tommy’s new venture, more electric than his duo gigs with Johny Hewitt but more bluesy than Trafficker.
I heard on the grapevine that the aforementioned Johny Hewitt is in the band a playing a mean harp. So you can look forward to lotsa guitar, lotsa harp and two great vocalists. Tommy always has a good rhythm section so I am certain that it will be a great night.
A beautiful room with lots of close parking.
0871 288 7287. £10.
Eddie Gartry Blues State UK
The Academy Buckley
22 May 2009
This week sees mid Wales British RnB outfit Eddie Gartry Blue State at the Academy in Buckley.
A SURPRISE FROM THE HEART OF WALES…… Amidst the scenic hills and picturesque landscape along the Welsh/English border, (where the magic mushrooms grow and beer is still £1.80 a pint) a very interesting secret has been harboured. Until now, that is. Recently, this area has been reverberating to the sound of a particular brand of blues music. Coincidentally, this same locality appears to be the home ground, and meeting place for a band of very dedicated musicians. A group it seems, who have one important and mutual obsession in common, a lifetime of devotion to playing blues music; their way. Apparently, these guys have all toured the World, individually backing many famous names along the way, but for them to congregate in this obscure neck of the woods seems peculiar. However, to their local fans, their unique brand of hard blues is extremely welcome. Pretty young boys, brought up in a world of karaoke, they are not. But their reverent approach to blues music, irrespective of fashion, sets them aside from most of today’s ‘programmed’ entertainers.
The Academy, located in Buckley, Flintshire, is a venue that caters for dance instruction, fitness and entertainment. One of its strands of entertainment is a regular blues gig, which has been attracting an increasingly large audience. The Stumble was the latest band to grace the Academy, which gives some indication of the high level that organiser, Ellie Jones, is targeting.
The pride of Preston certainly lived up to their ever-rising reputation with a beautifully balanced programme of blues, much of which can be found on their two excellent albums, The World is Tough and Houngan. They opened their account with the upbeat shuffle, “Small World, Baby” and “You Upset Me, Baby” before delivering their first rumba of the evening, “Saturday Night”. The slow blues, “All Over Again” was, as ever, particularly well-received, featuring the superb vocals of Paul Melville and fine solos from Colin Black on guitar and Simon Anthony on sax. The rest of the first set comprised a splendid mix of mood and tempo, which included a brilliant version of the Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talkin’” and culminated in a superb performance of the aforementioned “Houngan”.
The second set began with “Bus Stop” and a terrific rendition of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business”, complete with another belting guitar solo. “Your Love For Me” introduced a Bo Diddley beat into the proceedings, which was followed by a taste of rock and roll in the shape of “Little Maudie”. Rumbas and shuffles vied for prominence while drummer, Boyd Tonner, assumed lead vocals on Chuck Berry’s “Oh, Carol” drifting seamlessly into “Bee-Bop-A-Lula”. “The World Is Tough” completed the set and the magnificent show was concluded with the rousing “Gimme Back My Wig” by way of an encore.
A standing ovation appropriately hailed the quality of the performance and indicated that the Academy is well on the way to establishing itself as a serious blues venue.
The Stumble Website
Buckley Academy Website
Lionel Ross
The acoustic duo Moore & Ward (previously White Manalishi) who are part of the fabulous band Black Manalishi have a short notice acoustic gig at Alexanders in Chester this Wednesday.
The acoustic duo gigs are a bit bluesier than the full on band experience.
Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester.
£3 on the door.
The Academy welcomes ‘The Stumble’
Playing Live in Buckley on April 18th, One of the UK’s best Blues bands visits the Buckley Blues Club.
The Buckley Blues Club, at The Academy in Buckley, has recently seen the Jive Aces, The Jalapenos, and Big Boy Bloater grace the stage… now has another treat for us all… THE STUMBLE !!!
SO WHO ARE THE STUMBLE ?…
If you’ve seen them before then you will know that they 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…
Their debut album ‘The World is Tough’ came out in 2006 and received rave reviews throughout the UK blues communities and further afield.
They 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’ released Nov 2008 paints a more diverse musical canvas than the previous album. 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 them rich.
If you don’t want to miss out on hearing this fantastic band yourself on 18th April, 7:45pm, then get your tickets for now from The Academy.
—————–
Tickets priced just £10 are limited, and selling fast…
For Tickets, call 07812 369702
www.dance-hall.info for venue info/directions
www.thestumble.com for band info/sound samples
The Jalapenos
The Academy,
Buckley CH7 2JA
Saturday 21st March
The Jalapeños are a blend classic 50’s and 60’s rock‘n’roll and R&B with carefully selected latter-day material and self penned rockin’ tracks.
A Jalapeños show is a spiritual experience for anyone who likes good music –mad, wild fun and above all some great music.
Check out the Jalapeños on their MySpace profile page.
Doors open 7:45pm
Tickets £7.50
The mighty Stumble have just confirmed a date at the lovely new venue The Academy in Buckley.
Sat 18th April.
Check out the website for details.
One my favourite bands are playing a rare Chester gig on 7th March. A great band in a great venue. I hope to see some of you there.
The Cadillac Kings
Telford’s Warehouse, Chester
Sat 7th March 2009
I haven’t been to Alexander’s for ages, neither have I seen my old mate Nige and the boys for ages. I’ll try to get down for this.
The Harpbreakers at Alexander’s Jazz Cafe, Rufus Court, Chester.
19th Feb 2009.
THE DIRTY ROBBERS
Telford’s Warehouse, Chester: 06.02/09
Another great Friday night at Telford’s Warehouse, saw the recently formed band, The Dirty Robbers, tear through a great hour of classic blues and r&b from the 50s and 60s – led by the extremely talented Oliver Darling on guitar and vocals. He is a fine player – both as a soloist and rhythm player.
Oliver Darling is probably best known for his stint in The Cadillac Kings, and more recently in Mike Sanchez’s band – joining him are Matt Foundling (piano), Craig Rhind (bass) and Jesse Webb (drums) – together they make a most exciting sound, dominated by Darling’s guitar prowess and Foundling’s sparkling boogie piano, and the tight rhythm section – the sound helped by the fact that all add vocals as well.
An opening double blast of “Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Trees)”, once covered by Dr. Feelgood, and Richard Berry’s “Have Love, Will Travel” showed what the band are all about; with Foundling showing his piano skills on the pounding “Lonesome Woman Blues”.
A couple of blues guitar legends songs featured – the great “All Your Love” from Chicago master Magic Sam; and the stunning “Watch Out” – from the pen of Peter Green – Darling’s all-time hero, and the first track on the “Blues Jam In Chicago” release, given a rollicking going over here!
The set was actually quite varied – going from The Beatles “You Can’t Do That”, to Bo Diddley’s “Pretty Thing” and the Motown favourite from The Contours, “Do You Love Me” – with a great reading of The McCoys “Hang On Sloopy”.
This was a most impressive Chester debut for me, and definitely a band to look out for and catch again – exciting stuff, well played, and just a shame a few more could not be tempted down from the bar area for a peep at them!
GRAHAME RHODES
STOP PRESS
Alexander’s, Chester. Thursday 5th Feb (this Thursday!!) Just £3 on the door.
The band is called “A shrewdness of Apes” and is an eight piece outfit with male & female vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano/Hammond, Sax & Trumpet.
Classic & contemporary blues with a bit of Creedence thrown in.
A double helping of Dave Kelly is available this summer at Alexanders, Chester.
Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly - 17th May
The Blues Band - 17th July
Here are Dave and Maggie
Classic Rock fans may also be interested in a hot new band Black Manalishi. They sound great on their website.
Black Manalishi. Now Firmly established as one of THE bands to see in the UK at the moment. Taking influence from 70s hard rockers, the band combine free-wheelin musical improvisation, delicately crafted songwriting, and an immense wall of sound. Live, they are truly a band to be witnessed and fully deserve the accolades they have recently received. They have rocked venues across the country and now has a loyal, wide fan base, including an international contingent! Quotes About The Band: “Old School Power Rock”; “Stunning” Todd Smith, editor of The Cutting Edge and co-author of Heavy Load, the story of Free “The North’s best rock/blues band - FACT! …Led Zep for the 21st Century.” James Dorset, Ranch Studios “Black Manalishi… a band with a great future ahead of them. The best new band I’ve seen in years, and I think everyone who saw them at Drumming Up Hope would agree with me. They are simply **** hot!” Mark Cunningham, co-organiser of music festival Drumming Up Hope & international editor of Total Production Magazine
**TOMORROW**
This may be sold out so please call in advance 07812 369702.
Tomorrow night the Jive Aces will be at the Academy in Buckley.
Multiple blues award winner Connie Lush brings her brand of big voiced blues to Alexander’s Jazz Theatre this Thursday.
Flickr photo by Paul Webster.
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