Tag Archive for 'wrexham'

The last gig of the season at Worthenbury on Friday July 16th, following on from the brilliant festival last weekend, is a mouth watering first appearance in the area for the Martin Harley Band.

The Band is a uniquely talented acoustic trio whose musical palette incorporates all the best roots music styles, from blues to jazz to folk, yet are masters of their own art. With tender acoustic balladry, hot-blooded blues, complex rhythms and gorgeous three-part harmonies, and an almost boundless energy, the Martin Harley Band effortlessly challenge expectations of what a three-piece should be capable of.

The band itself has endured some personnel shifts during its lifespan, but has now evolved into the powerhouse trio of Martin Harley (Vocals, guitar, Weissenborn), Pete Swatton (Drums, percussion, balalaika, backing vocals) and Jay Carter (Double Bass, guitar, backing vocals). Naturally, it all revolves around Martin’s charismatic performance, organic yet meticulously crafted songs, expressive vocals and flawless musicianship. The band itself, however, is driven by the musical intelligence and ability of his two bandmates, and the deep understanding between the three of them.

Doors have been opening for them to new and exciting territory too. Recently, they have found themselves supporting James Morrison and G.Love & Special Sauce by personal invitation on their UK tours. They have played to a packed Royal Albert Hall, and pulled off a double coup at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival by filling both the Avalon and Acoustic stages to bursting with eager listeners. This is a band on the way up.

Tickets are £10 and can be reserved by contacting Pete Evans on 01948 770215 or mailing Pete@hookerblues.co.uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_1cQiud41k

Aussie Rory Ellis who was the undoubted star of the 2009 Worthenbury Festival is back on Friday June 11th, this time at the village hall, doors 8pm for 9pm start.

Rory possesses a superb baritone voice and plays guitar and banjo and is again accompanied by the fantastically talented Alex Roberts on lap steel guitar.

His official press release is :-

“Rory Ellis is the quintessential Australian singer/songwriter with buckets of talent, heaps of stories to tell, and impossible to pigeonhole. He’s a blues man, a soul belter, a red-dirt country man and a home-grown folkie.

Rory has performed at major festivals all over Australia for many years and in recent years has performed all over the UK playing at major festivals, venues, Art Centres and theatres and supported greats like Richie Havens and Eric Bibb.”

There is great interest in this gig and tickets are selling steadily. To reserve one at £10, please mail me @ pete@hookerblues.co.uk . I’m away for a week so will reply to mails after June 4th.

Brilliant acoustic guitarist Rick Payne will be making a very welcome overdue return to Worthenbury on Friday March 26th. Doors are 8pm and he is on stage at 9pm with tickets costing £10.
To reserve tickets contact pete@hookerblues.co.uk or ring 01948 770215

The following biog is from Rick’s website www.rickpayne.co.uk

Rick Payne is an established acoustic blues guitarist with many national and international tours to his credit. He has become especially well known for his authentic acoustic blues finger picking, in the many traditional styles of the blues including delta blues, piedmont, ragtime and slide and has recorded several albums of this kind.

Often compared with Ry Cooder, slide guitar maestro Rick Payne’s performances have taken him to prime time TV, to festivals and theatres throughout the UK and on tour to Europe, USA, Scandinavia and Greek Islands. He has provided music to a number of major TV productions (e.g. Kingdom of the Ice Bear) , for programmes on Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. He has also featured on The Paul Jones blues show on BBC Radio 2.

Rick has recorded a number of CDs, including the noted ‘Blue River Blues’ for Bennett House Records California.

Reviewers have described his sound as: heart wrenching and passionate, delicate and scorching, seriously brilliant, totally absorbing and spellbindingly evocative with raw and fiery vocals to match.

As a teacher he has written and facilitated many courses and guitar workshop style sessions, teaching the art of Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Rev Gary Davis and many more.

Dave Kelly

Goin’ Up The Country Blues & Roots Club, Worthenbury Village Hall
Friday February 5th- doors 8pm, show 9pm – £12

Following on from the brilliant night with The Blues Band’s Gary Fletcher earlier this month, Dave Kelly from the same band plays solo at Worthenbury for the first time on February 5th.

As a founding member of the legendary Blues Band with Paul Jones, Tom McGuinness and Gary Fletcher, he has been at the forefront of the British blues scene and since the early days of the 60, he has played  and recorded with many of the American  blues legends including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Son House, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and John Lee Hooker.

He has rightly been regarded by many as the UK’s number one blues guitarist and won the British Blues Connection’s award for top acoustic guitarist for 5 consecutive years.

Tickets are selling very steadily and the gig will probably sell out so early reservation is recommended by mailing me on pete@hookerblues.co.uk or ringing me on 01948 770215

Goin’ Up The Country Blues & Roots Club at Worthenbury Village Hall

For tickets and info please ring 01948 770215 OR MAIL pete@hookerblues.co.uk www.hookerblues.co.uk

Unless stated, entry is £10, doors open @ 8pm and music starts 9pm

TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED AFTER CONFIRMING AVAILABILITY, BY SENDING A CHEQUE MADE OUT TO HOOKER BLUES CLUB, TO OAK COTTAGE, WALLINGTON LANE, WORTHENBURY, WREXHAM LL13 0AL – ENCLOSE A SAE PLEASE

WE NOW REQUEST THAT TICKETS ARE PAID FOR IN ADVANCE AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT TURNED UP FOR GIGS AFTER ORDERING TICKETS. THIS HAS MEANT THAT WE HAVE NOT ACCEPTED SOME BOOKINGS AT SELL OUT GIGS. WE THANK OUR REGULARS FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING IN THIS MATTER.

THINGS THEY HAVE SAID…

“The best little blues club in Europe…”  Otis Taylor, Oct 2006

“I wish I could bottle your audience and take them with me” Sonny BlacK, March 2007

“You’ve got something special here” Geoff Muldaur, April 2007

“This is just like a Mississippi juke joint” Big George Brock, June 2007

“I’ll be back, I guarantee that” Harper July 2007

“We’d love to come back if you’ll have us” Gerry McAvoy (Nine Below Zero) Jan 2007

“The best gig we’ve done in ages” The Spikedrivers Feb 2008

“I’ve been looking forward so much to coming here- it’s cracking” Jim Crawford March 2008

“Had a great time – been raving about the club ever since” Roland Chadwick March 2008

“Playing your club is an absolute true blessing for any artist” Little Toby Walker Sept 2008

“Thank goodness there are still blues clubs like this” Dave Kelly & Paul Jones  Jan 2009

“This is unreservedly one of the best places I’ve ever played at” Peter Price Feb 2009

“This really is an amazing little place” Bob Hall & Fruteland Jackson June 2009

“That sure is one unique venue!” Mike Thomas – Cadillac Kings  December 2009

“I’ve heard so much about this place – it’s wonderful – Mike Hellier December 2009

FRIDAY JAN 15th THE GARY FLETCHER BAND – Gary, the bass player in The Blues Band brings his excellent band to us for the 1st time. Playing guitar, Gary gives the bass playing duties to son Jack whilst on drums is Pick Withers of Dire Straits and on 2nd guitar is Steve Ling. A great night is promised with Bob Harris on Radio 2 stating “Very pleasantly Mark Knopflerish” £12

FRIDAY FEB 5th DAVE KELLY  This gig is the reorganized one from Dec 4th and sees Dave leaving Paul Jones and The Blues Band at home to play songs that have influenced his career as arguably the UK’s top blues guitarist. Early booking needed. £12

FRIDAY FEB 26th THE HAMSTERS AT OVERTON VILLAGE HALL
Britain’s top blues rockers now approaching their 23rd year and 4,000th gig make their 1st appearance in the area for years. The band is rated as one of the best exponents of the work of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top and guitarist Slim is regarded as being in the top ten of all time British guitarists alongside Clapton, Green and Gilmour. To get the full impact this band has made on the British blues/rock scene check   www.thehamsters.co.uk £15

FRDAY MARCH 26th RICK PAYNE Guitar teacher Rick is one of the UK’s most gifted guitarists playing all styles from classical through to jazz but it is as a blues guitarist that he has made his name. Often referred to as the English Ry Cooder his guitar workshops are much in demand and he has composed themes for many TV programmes.   £10

FRIDAY APRIL 23rd JIM CRAWFORD Back by popular demand, acoustic guitarist Jim featured in one of our best ever gigs when he mesmerized the audience with the quality of his playing. A great entertainer originating from Lancashire but now living in Devon, someone remarked that “It was like Peter Kay meeting Robert Johnson”. Singing sensation Beth Rowley recently recorded Jim’s “When the Rains Came” on her new cd.  £10

FRIDAY MAY 7th TBC

FRIDAY JUNE 4th RORY ELLIS The Aussie sensation who was the star of our festival in June 2009 returns with Alex Roberts on slide guitar. Possessing an amazing voice Rory delivers a superb  selection of self penned songs to back up the top quality musicianship     £10

SAT JULY 3rd TBC WORTHENBURY BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL

We don’t want to clash with a possible England football game in the World Cup so by our reckoning, if England play reasonably well and reach the semi final stage, that game would be staged on the Sunday. However, we won’t be caught out as we were in 2006 and we will have a dedicated TV marquee for those sad enough to want to watch soccer!

Download Flyer Here

There have been some changes to the forthcoming gigs at Worthenbury.

Dave Kelly was due to appear next Friday December 4th but has had to postpone the gig as The Blues Band have been asked to support Chuck Berry on his UK tour.

However due to a cancellation of one of their gigs in the north, The Cadillac Kings will now make a very welcome appearance on Saturday December 12th. This will follow on from their appearance at Warrington the night before so there will be two chances to see this outstanding UK band who are probably playing as well as ever at the moment.

Tickets are also selling very rapidly for The Derrin Nauendorf Band on Friday December 18th. Derrin is simply one of the finest acoustic guitarists on the circuit and is backed by Ian Jennings on double bass and Mike Hellier (Movin’ Music Agency) on drums.

Contact Pete Evans on 01948 770215 or pete@hookerblues.co.uk for tickets