blues news – blues reviews – blues gig guide
Those of you not going to the Worthenbury Festival could do no better than to pop down to Telford’s Warehouse for the sensational band The Loving Cup.
Rockin’ country and Americana blues.
That’s where I would be if it wasn’t festival week.
http://www.the-loving-cup.co.uk/
APRIL
10th – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, UK (Jon Amor Band)
11th – The Wave, Maryport, UK (Jon Amor Band) TBC
Cherry Lee Mewis
The Academy Buckley – 26 Mar 2010
Ironworks, Oswestry – 27 Mar 2010
When you think of blues, you don’t tend to think 5 foot nothing brunette women. From Wales. Who are 24 years old. And very attractive. With a powerful, soulful voice and model looks, Cherry Lee Mewis is the perfect candidate to be an X Factor winner, but she has eschewed such gratuitous commerciality in favour of playing and writing the kind of real music that makes her tick. The blues.
And in doing so she has managed to turn roots and blues music into a cool swinging fusion that is both classic and yet contemporary. Her music is a heady mix is a heady mix of foot-stomping barnburners to bluesy slow-cooked rockers with even a spoonful of jazzy shuffle all helping to secure Cherry Lee Mewis place as one of the rising stars on the UK blues and roots music scene.
Whilst packed with great original blues numbers, Cherry’s sets also feature new arrangements of many classic blues numbers that are red hot and smoking, proving not to be just an echo of their original raw originators. The soft and sultry vocal delivery on Travellin’ Light, the rockin’ All You Need and wonderful swing-blues of Shake That Thing all showcase those signature Cherry growls and tender vibratos.
So while Cherry is something new and exciting in the world of Blues, she is also very much focused on what makes blues so fascinating and capturing its rawness and its this dichotomy that makes her such a fascinating artist to see.
King King
Telford’s Warehouse, Chester
27 Feb 2010
Free before 10pm.
Rhythm Zoo
Appearing live at The Academy, Buckley
Saturday January 23rd 2010
Rhythm Zoo hit you on every level. Driving rhythm, blistering guitar, and the captivating vocals of Andi Harrison. This band holds the music close to their hearts. You have to see them to understand.
Rhythm Zoo are rapidly becoming one the premier blues groups in the UK. Never bound by any one style, they can stretch out and do great traditional, Chicago, and Delta blues. Their sets are carefully constructed to give you a great blend of original and standards with boundless enthusiasm. These guys are easy to work with and great people. The Zoo are audience friendly, any audience, and they are building up a very loyal following wherever they play.
They manage to skirt the line between fidelity to the genre and honesty to the listener. They won’t try to pretend that Muddy Waters has laid his golden hand on their heads and that they are somehow the rightful heirs to a ghostly tradition, but they will pay homage to the forebears without making you feel like you’re watching a “Blues as a Themepark” nightclub act. A top notch band with one of the best sounds in the Midlands. If you feel like the word “blues” has gotten a bad name, you’ll be sold on Rhythm Zoo without feeling like you were ever asked to buy.
[Update 22 Jan 2010]
This gig has been postponed until 15th May
Here’s what they say about Ricky Cool…
Just let the Hoola Boola re-ignite your smile. Yes that’s exactly what Ricky Cool and The Hoola Boola Boys are all about. Ricky has long been known as one of the best frontmen in the business, from his days as a displaced American who wound up in Oldhill and teamed up with a bunch of Brummies to form Ricky Cool and The Icebergs. Radio and T.V. appearances made Ricky a household name and records soon followed, particularly with his next line up, Ricky Cool and The Rialtos. This led to a link up with the legendary Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) in his first Honeydrippers line up and a long lasting collaboration with Andy Silvester (Chicken Shack/Savoy Brown) which culminated in the formation of what became the UK’s top Rhythm and Blues Band, The Big Town Playboys and the unveiling of crazy man Mike Sanchez on an unsuspecting public. Ricky is known for presenting the best in Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll and with The Hoola Boola Boys you get this in spades. The Hoola Boola Boys have continued to back some of the best names on the R ‘n’ B circuit and now, together with Ricky Cool, they provide the very best in Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues entertainment.
Pictured is Rhythm Zoo.
http://www.alexanderslive.com/
Liverpool legend Albie Donnelly brings Supercharge back to the area for two rare homecoming gigs.
Liverpool
The band will play at Liverpool Marina on Fri 22 Jan 2010.
£10 on the door.
Call 07950 012 994 for advance tickets.
Chester
The band will play Alexanders Jazz Cafe on Sunday 24 Jan 2010.
£10 on the door – £8 adv.
ALBIE DONNELLY, Liverpool- born singer/saxophonist and bandleader formed the now legendary band SUPERCHARGE in 1973. The band’s blend of R. ‘n’ B. and Funk plus their wild on- (and off!) stage-show made them a sensation on the British 70’s live- club scene.
In the 80’s the band signed with Virgin Records and toured extensively in GB and all over Europe with such names as Ray Charles, Fats Domino, B. B. King, Chuck Berry and Queen – culminating in the Hyde Park concert in front of more than 100,000 people.
From then on ALBIE has led successful tours all over Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland) and recently back home again in GB, confirming the bandleader’s consistent popularity.
His soulful voice and unique horn-sound attest to his R. ‘n’ B. roots and his being steeped in the music of the all-time greats
Quote from B. B. King: “SUPERCHARGE is Europe’s finest Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Band.”
http://www.superchargeonline.de/
BOWDEN & WILLIAMSON LIVE – BULL & STIRRUP, UPPER NORTHGATE STREET, CHESTER
FRIDAY, 18th DECEMBER, 8.30 PM – TICKETS £5
John Williamson, guitarist with 60s’ legends The Animals, and Mike Bowden, vocalist with Dr. Truth, have combined their talent to present an evening of songs old and new in an acoustic setting, at an intimate venue.
Two guitars, two voices, a generous helping of humour, and a few surprises.
A rare chance to enjoy two seasoned performers, playing the music they love in a relaxed atmosphere.
Tickets are limited and are available from Gildas Books, 2 City Walls, or from the Bull & Stirrup.
All enquiries 01244 311910 – www.bowdenandwilliamson.com
Alexanders Jazz Cafe
Monday 7 December
Last Train Band
Riotous riffs, thunderous drums, foot stomping rhythms and searing vocals all go into the mix which put Last Train Band at the leading edge of contemporary live Blues Rock. An unforgettable night!
“TRAIN BAND IS REMARKABLE…MUSICALLY AND VOCALLY. GREAT GUITAR RIFFS…THIS BAND IS COMPLETELY TIGHT”
£3
One of the finest bands in the country will be playing the beautiful Academy venue in Buckley this Friday night.
The Cadillac Kings are acknowledged as one of the top bands in the country and the current line-up is the best that they have ever had.
Instrumentally the band cannot be beaten and in band leader Mike Thomas the band have one of the finest blues songwriters that the UK has ever produced.
With their intoxicating brand of R&B The Cadillac Kings are masters at entertaining audiences, from clubs to theatres, from dance-halls to festivals, the length and breadth of Europe. If you like your harmonica fat-toned & your guitar T- boned, this is the band for you. You’d be crazy to miss it.
Only £8 on the door.
http://www.cadillackings.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/thecadillackings
Here are the dates from our region for guitarist Erik Mongrain. Erik appears on Later With Jools Holland on BBC2 on Friday Nov 6th
14/11/2009 Poulton le Fylde The Community Centre
15/11/2009 Liverpool Live Lounge at Baby Blue
16/11/2009 Chester Telford’s Warehouse
20/11/2009 Manchester The Band on the Wall
Erik Mongrain was born in Montreal on April 12, 1980. When he was young, he was more into sports than music.
Growing up to the sounds of Metallica, Jimi Hendrix and mostly Kurt Cobain from Nirvana, Erik discovered an interest in guitar. At 14, he received a classical guitar as a gift and learnt by ear his favourite songs. A year later, he bought his very first electric guitar which allowed him to learn and play Nirvana songs to his delight.
Over the following four years, he learned guitar on his own, composed his own music and discovered Jean-Sebastian Bach’s classical guitar melodies, which he learned by heart. Around the age of 18, he discovered a Canadian guitar giant who goes by the name of Don Ross. It was during this period in his life that Erik chose acoustic guitar as his favourite musical instrument through which he wished to share his passion with others around him.
He made another major discovery with the contemporary music of a Californian named Michael Hedges. “It was a true revelation to me, I had finally found my niche” stated Erik. He is still a great fan of Michael Hedges to this day.
During that time, he discovered and experimented a technique, which was unknown to him until then, “lap tapping” – “I immediately adopted that technique.” With the guitar on his lap, he tapped the chords as if it were a piano. The effect was spectacular! People passing by on the streets were his first “fans”. Over those years, Erik played in streets and subway stations in Montreal, in the U.S. as well as in Europe.
In Granada, Spain, a journalist came across this young Montrealer, who was then 21, sitting on the sidewalk and playing his guitar. Impressed by his talent, he wrote an article in the “Granada” newspaper and made the following prediction:
As another great guitar tapping player, Stanley Jordan, Mongrain started out in the streets of Granada, he will continue on in the Barcelona subway and will probably end up recording on world class major labels
Jesus Arias, Granada, May 18, 2001
Erik is a musician who is constantly researching and exploring the world of music. For almost two years now, Erik has resumed standard guitar posture and has been writing at tremendous speed songs in which the harmonies and melodies are profoundly inspired.
It is often said that one cannot fight fate. From streets to T.V. sets, this young self-taught guitar player has not betrayed the old saying. 2007, Erik Mongrain launches his first CD entitled “Fates” …and now Equilibrium” to the delight of music lovers.
I am going up to Worthenbury tonight to see Little Toby Walker then tomorrow my own band Down at Antone’s will be playing at The Academy in Buckley.
I am looking forward to seeing some of you at these two events.
The Blues Gang are playing on Alexander’s, Chester next Thursday 22nd October, Tickets £5.00 and on stage about 9.30p.m.
The Blues Gang are a very classy uptown blues outfit based in Merseyside and North Wales.
http://www.myspace.com/thebluesganguk
Down at Antone’s
Buckley Academy, North Wales
24 October 2009
One of the best loved north west blues bands of the 1990s make a rare outing in North Wales this month. Since reforming earlier this year the band have taken on very occasional reform gigs. You have a chance to see one of those rare appearances in Buckley.
On Sat 24th October Down at Antone’s play at the beautiful dance hall in the centre of Buckley that is known as The Academy. The room is delightful, featuring a fully sprung wooden dance floor, a spacious stage with excellent viewing, comfortable seating for all, a bar and plentiful parking just outside. Buckley is in North Wales, just a few miles over the border from Chester.
During the gig, you can expect to see a heady blend of rough and tough Texas blues, a spicy New Orleans flavoured gumbo with a dash of smooth jazz to mellow the heat.
The band feature Neil Partington on guitar and vocals. Neil has a huge pedigree in music having been born into the famous musical Brown family – with Joe Brown and Sam Brown as close family. During his long career (he has been playing since his teens) he has shared the stage with musical legends such as Jools Holland, Lee Oscar and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.
Ken Peace is featured on Harmonica – famous only for a mile wide tone and riffing harmonica chops. The rest of the band are Glen Lewis on classy keys and the dynamite rock solid grooving rhythm section of Nick Lauro and Steve Brown.
Expect an evening of highly charged grooves to keep the beat at the feet.
The Academy, Mold Road, Buckley on Saturday, 24th October – doors open at 7.45 pm, band on stage at 9 pm. Tickets £8 on the door, or by phone (07812 369702).
Picture by Jon Hill.
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