Tag Archive for 'lancashire'
BARE BONES BOOGIE BAND
(self-titled – BBBBCD1)
Released at the turn of this year, comes the debut from the rocking Southern-based Bare Bones Boogie Band – a four-piece comprising of Helen Turner (vocals), Iain Black (guitar), Trev Turley (bass) and Andy Jones (drums). The band deal in a hybrid of classic British rock with blues influences, with Black penning six of the ten songs here, with four choice covers.
Helen Turner’s vocals can be raunchy one moment, then sultry the next, with Iain Black’s guitar work the other main feature of the band. His opening “Baby, Baby Be Mine” is a soulful rocker, with a definite Humble Pie influence; the following “Black Cat Strikes Back” is most appealing with Turner’s smoky vocal and some nice guitar work and some jazzy touches. The self-explanatory “Full Tilt Boogie Man” does just that, a rousing rocker, before a nice cover of Janis Joplin’s “One Good Man”, another influence on the band, particularly vocalist Turner, and delivered here with a nice rolling feel.
“Sister Sunshine” is a mid-tempo rocker with a nagging riff from Iain Black, and the band do justice to the classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” . . . a simply beautiful song, with again some nice guitar work. The driving Rolling Stones song, “Live With Me” is a standout, with Helen Turner’s vocal here recalling the great Maggie Bell, one of our finest ever female vocalists.
“Simple Suggestion” has a country feel to it, reminiscent of Exile-era Rolling Stones, with sweet guitar and another nice vocal; the penultimate track “Throw Me A Line” is another Iain Black song with another catchy riff and rocks along nicely, with the album closing with the rousing Vinegar Joe tune, penned by Pete Gage, “Early Monday Morning” . . . and with no disrespect to the self-penned material, my favourite here.
I would imagine the band are best seen in a live environment, but in vocalist Helen Turner and guitarist Iain Black they have a fine ‘front line’, with the unfussy and solid rhythm section of Trev Turley and Andy Jones in the engine room driving things along . . . . a nice debut offering, and good to see a high quote of original songs.
GRAHAME RHODES
The band have some dates in the region at the Colne Festival – see below
28 Aug 2010 – 14:00 – Great British Blues Festival – Colne & Nelson Rugby Club
29 Aug 2010 – 19:30 – Great British Blues Festival – The Crown Hotel
http://www.myspace.com/barebonesboogieband
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YqsxJn8Xpo
The next Wyre Blues show at Fleetwoods Marine Hall takes place on Thursday July 29th and features the young West Country Guitarist Jay Tamkin with his band.
22 year old Jay Tamkin describes ‘Sorted’ his debut album on Wienerworld as ‘a documentary of my musical steps so far’.
It’s a significant observation for while this 22 year old West Country guitarist and multi instrumentalist is grounded in the blues he’s got the song writing ability and musical chops to fulfil his huge potential in a very contemporary way.
Indeed Classic Rock magazine recently likened the front cover of his album as resembling something from ‘the Madchester scene’, before commenting on his ‘instinctive guitar mangling’ and his ‘hip bucking grooves’. For make no mistake Jay Tamkin may be an up and coming rock/blues guitarist of the highest order but at heart he remains a fiercely independent musical spirit but firmly grounded in the blues.
Influenced on the blues side by SRV, Walter Trout and Albert and Freddie King, he cites Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen as being equally important influence on the jazz side. Jay was further inspired by Paul Jones’s BBC 2 Blues show before finding his musical conduits in the shape of Popa Chubby and John Mayall’s guitarist Buddy Whittington. Significantly perhaps, he’s already managed to play with both of his heroes.
Jay learned his craft in the best possible environment spending 6 years with the esteemed Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra as principal bass player, a position that enabled him to combine musical theory and serious practice with such musical heavy weights as Jools Holland, Dennis Rollins and Roy Ayers. And it is the combination of
his musical confidence, a surprising mature song writing style and a willingness to explore musical boundaries that makes ‘Sorted’ such an impressive debut album.
‘I was going for an eclectic mix of styles’ says Jay. But while there are some wonderful musical tensions pulling him in the diverse directions of rock, funk and acoustic flavoured Latino styles, it’s the blues that lies at his core. ‘I enjoy a lot of different contemporary music,’ says Jay, ‘but blues takes real feeling and soul to express it properly. My songs tend to be little stories, based around real life experiences. In fact Popa Chubby virtually gave me the song ‘You Need A Woman’, when he gave me some much needed personal advice. I just transcribed what he told me into the lyrics of the song’ (laughs).
In an era when guitar heroes have made a strong comeback, Jay Tamkin isn’t about to make his pitch solely as a guitarist. Rather it’s his rich musical persona that marks his out as unique. For while his restless imagination may push him into variety of styles via some fiery notes and melodic grooves, JT is treading his own path. Indeed as his album title suggests he’s just about ‘Sorted’.
Doors open at 8.00pm & show starts at 9.00pm. Tickets are £2.50 in advance from the Marine Hall box office on 01253 887693 or online at www.marinehall.co.uk or pay on the door.
The highly regarded Americana artist Otis Gibbs has gigs coming up in the region.
- 20 Jul – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
- 28 Jul – Grants Arms, Ramsbottom
Otis grew up in the rural town of Wanamaker, Indiana. He first stepped on stage at the age of four, when he sang Jimmie Rodgers’ ‘Waiting for a Train’ at a neighbourhood honky tonk. While his parents worked countless hours trying to make ends meet, Otis was often in his uncle’s care. Not accustomed to parenthood, the uncle was sometimes bored, so the two would frequent bars, where Otis sang for tip money (which meant more booze for his uncle). Otis was hooked, and would often ask if they could go back and sing some more songs. The answer, “Only if you promise to never tell your parents.”
Otis started working when he was in high school. He stacked concrete blocks, flipped burgers, drove an ice cream truck, pumped gas, and did countless other crummy jobs. After discovering writers like Edward Abbey, Henry Miller and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, he started questioning what he was doing with his life. He was tired of working jobs that didn’t stimulate, or interest him in the least. So, in his own words, he decided to just “drop out.” Over the next four years, Gibbs earned and lived off less than $3,000 a year and had never been happier. He got rid of his car and shared apartments with artists, musicians and radicals (often living with 5 to 10 people). He also took advantage of the free time and wrote hundreds of songs.
The next few years were spent touring and releasing four indie records. The most notable being 49th and Melancholy, (a stripped-down acoustic record, that was recorded to two-track reel-to-reel in a friend’s laundry room). There was also Once I Dreamed of Christmas, a collection of songs he’d written “for people who don’t like Christmas.”
In 2004, his critically acclaimed, “One Day Our Whispers” was released. It was an unpopular time to speak truth to power, but the album’s optimism and anti-war undertones resonated deeply with people who felt uncomfortable with the direction America was heading. Though songs like ‘I Wanna Change It,’ ‘Thirty-three’ and ‘Ours is the Time’ have been described as protest songs, Otis prefers to call them “love songs for young radicals.” ‘The Peoples Day’ was later included in a Wall Street Journal list compiled by Billy Bragg of the “Top Five Songs with Something to Say.” This placed Gibbs in the company of Bob Dylan, The Clash, Sam Cooke, and Chuck Berry.
In 2009, Gibbs released Grandpa Walked a Picketline. He spent most of the year touring to support the record, including 4 tours of the UK, Ireland and Holland. The album spent 6 weeks in the top 5 on the Americana Radio Chart (USA), peeking at number 4. It reached number 2 on the Euro Americana Chart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCwYUl_Gh8
Three northwest bands have been confirmed for the British Stage at the Colne Festival over the Aug Bank Hol period.
Forty 4 – Friday 9pm
Atlanta Roots -Friday midnight
Tommy Allen Band – Sunday 9.30pm
Friday shows to be broadcasted live by BBC Radio Lancashire.
Thursday 3rd June 2010 at BJ’s Blues Club,
The Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley
TIN PAN ALLEY
Tin Pan Alley specialise in Jimi Hendrix & Stevie Ray Vaughan songs with a mixture of ‘Blues Legends’ like Buddy Guy & Freddie King in a very wide ranging repertoire of quality blues and rock songs that include many great ‘crowd pleasers’ which include great renditions of classics by Free. By request Thursdays set will be more rock orientated than before with shades of Southern Rock too ! It’s going to be another night to remember at BJ’s with one of the hottest bands in the North West!
Message from Lucas Campbell…..
Thursday 29thAPRIL at BJ’s Blues Club,
The Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley
9.30 pm Start
Free Admission!
MIDNITE JOHNNY and SMOKESTACK LIGHTNIN’
Midnite Johnny and his amazing band debut at BJ’s
This really is going to be another great evening to relish, hot on the heels of last weeks tremendous performance by Forty 4 Midnite Johnny is ready induct us into his musical world which has seen him play with some of the finest musicians in his native U.SA. These musicians have included Harvey Mandel, Roy Buchanan, Elvin Bishop and Junior Wells to name but a few !
Don’t Miss This One !!
Arrive early if you want to grab a seat !
The line up is –
Midnite Johnny – Guitar/Vocals
Clive Smith – Bass
Chris Howard – Keyboards
Roland “Scrub” Jones – Drums
The lineup has been released for The 21st Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.
Fri 27 Aug to Mon 30 Aug 2010
The International Stage
Friday 27 August 2010
7.00pm The Hamsters
8.45pm Dr Feelgood
10.30pm Nine Below Zero
12.00 midnight Eddie & The Hot Rods
Saturday 28 August 2010
2.00pm Chicago Acoustic Blues Session feat. Nalle (DK), Magic & Omar (USA)
3.30pm Ben Waters Band
5.00pm TBC
7.30pm Sandi Thom
9.15pm Magic Slim and The Teardrops (USA)
11.00pm Omar & The Howlers (USA)
Sunday 29 August 2010
2.00pm Jay Tamkin Band
3.30pm Popa Chubby Band (USA)
5.00pm King King featuring Alan Nimmo
7.30pm Hans Theessink (NL)
9.15pm Peter Green
11.00pm The Pretty Things
Monday 30 August 2010
2.00pm Danny Handley’s Blues Project
3.30pm Larry Garner Band (USA) with Norman Beaker & Friends
5.00pm Oli Brown
7.30pm Trevor Burton Band from The Move
9.15pm Georgie Fame
11.00pm Flamingo Blues all Stars with special guests Herbie Goins & Chris Farlowe
Many more details on the festival website
http://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2UR31Qyiu4
The excellent Northwest band Forty4 will be appearing at BJ’s Blues Club in Chorley this Thursday. I saw them last night at a low key pub gig on the Wirral and they were excellent.
Highly recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/forty4music
THE BILL DAISON BAND
Thursday 15th APRIL at BJ’s Blues Club,
The Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley www.hoppocket.co.uk
9.30 pm Start
Free Admission!
Here’s an update from Towerblues…..
Sat April 10th at Poulton Community Hall, Breck Road, Rob Tognoni Band.
Last seen at The Raikes a couple of years ago Australian guitarist Rob Tognoni brings his brand of power blues rock back with a bang! Rob only tours the UK for about 10 days each year so catch him while you can. £10 tel 01253 890927
Thurs April 22nd – Wyre Blues at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood – Tin Pan Alley
A welcome return to Fleetwood by this powerful trio. Expect some great SRV, ZZ Top & Hendrix tunes with a little classic rock thrown in for good measure. £2.50 tel 01253 887693
Fri May 14th – Studio Blues at The Lawrence House studio, Grand Theatre, Blackpool – Tom Doughty
“Tom Doughty is possessed of a deep musical soul, that magic link between feeling and movement which makes the slide guitar such an individual instrument. His touch is wide ranging, and his music is full of big feeling. In a world of derivative and imitative slide guitarists, Tom’s sound is unique and special.” Bob Brozman
£10 Tel 01253 290190
Friday June 4th – Marine Hall, Fleetwood – Buddy Whittington
Supported by Mark Thornley Band
Named by his ex boss of 15 years as “possibly the greatest Bluesbreaker of them all”. When the boss is John Mayall and the “all” includes Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout and Coco Montoya, this is no lightweight accolade.
Tickets £15 Tel 01253 887693
Thursday June 24th, Wyre Blues at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood – Greenmac
Playing all the classic songs (plus a few obscure album tracks you thought you’d forgotten) from Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac. Went down a storm at their last visit to Wyre Blues. “I knew they’d be good but I didn’t think they’d be THIS good” said one audience member.
£2.50 Tel 01253 887693
Tickets are also on sale from the Marine Hall (01253 887693) for Dr Feelgood – Sept 24th, Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds – Oct 1st and Chris Farlowe – Oct 15th.
On Saturday April 10th towerblues is proud to present, at Poulton Community Hall, Breck Road, Australian guitarist Rob Tognoni and his band. On his last visit to the area Rob wowed the audience with his stunning brand of “power blues/rock.”
Doors open at 8.00pm, show time at 9.00. tickets £10 on the door, or ring Alan on 01253 890927 for info
This week’s gig at BJ’s is The Blues Train.
http://www.myspace.com/bluestrainbuxton
9.30pm – FREE ADMISSION
Thursday 4th March at BJ’s Blues Club,
The Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley
9.30 pm Start
Free Admission!
THE HEXMEN
High Octane R&B of the highest order from this band who have been delighting audiences where ever they perform with their own brand of new wave infused music A no nonsense approach with great covers and original material including a ‘killer’ version of Gloria makes this band a ‘must’ see in your diary !
The Hexmen are :-
George Hexman – Vocals/Harmonica
Dave Woods – Guitar
George “Big Shed” White – Bass
Wayne Dangerous – Drums
Hexmen Websites
http://www.thehexmen.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thehexmen
Always Starts 9.30pm Free Admission!!
The UK’s No 1 Rory Gallagher tribute band return to the Fylde on Saturday Feb 20th at 9.00pm when they will be playing at Poulton Community Hall, Breck Road, Poulton Le Fylde.
Tickets are £10, doors open 8.00pm. Phone 01253 890927 for info & to book.
Thursday 11th Feb at BJ’s Blues Club,
The Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley www.hoppocket.co.uk
9.30 pm Start
Free Admission!
CRY BABY and the Hootchie Cootchie Boys
First time outing for these guys at BJ’s. They are a six piece high energy R&B band similar to Dr Feelgood with some excellent original material too! They have a strong following and only do selective gigs, we look forward to seeing them in action at BJ’s.
http://www.myspace.com/crybabyhoochiecoochieboys
http://crybabyhoochiecoochieboys.com/
Cry Baby & The Hootchie Cootchie Boys are-:
- Rob Wilkinson – Vocals/Harp
- Graham “Mr G” Sells – Guitar/Vocals
- Vince “Guv” Cutliffe – Guitar
- Trevor “Roll Up” Pinson – Bass
- Mark Brean – Keyboards
- Andy “The Motor” Carr – Drums
Starts 9.30pm FREE!!
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