Reviews

'bbc' members and guests send YOUR reviews of blues-related books, gigs, recordings!

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bnail to read the review of Ben Waters' memorable visit to 'the bbc' as featured in February's 'Blues in Britain'.

Click thumbnail for Toby Walker's review in November's Blues in Britain Magazine.

With the Mediterranean blue, echoed in the Efes displays, the sun went down over the mountains in Kyrenia. A perfect setting for a Blues festival, under the stars. The audience were mostly young Turkish Cypriots and quite a few '60-something' Brits.

Ray Schinnery was the acoustic opener in the Jimmy Reed style. He knew the audience and kept the songs short “You got me running.." and populist .... “Bright Lights Big City” (more appropriate for Istanbul?) Then he got everyone singing along “I know, I know, I know ...." with one of my favourites “Ain’t no sunshine”

Terry Evans and band were the highlight for me. He has a great range and a soulful voice, no more so than in “Dark End of the Street”. The Hammond was a welcome sound and Slick Williams on guitar was great on “You ain’t gotta go” The top of the bill was Shemekia Copeland (as seen at Colne R'n'B Festival). She sang “Dirty Water” in the inimitable Blues Momma style...great.

Your ticket in, brought you a free, cold Efes Beer... sounds like the BBC July gift.

On our wall in Keighley there’s the poster for 13^th EFES BLUES FESTIVAL and now there’s the 20^th poster on our wall in Cyprus.

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mbnail for Peter Greenwood's Keighley News review of bbc5's CD -Keighley Tennessee

Hamilton Loomis. Native of Galveston, Texas. Fine musician and friend of the late Bo Diddley. On Friday, April 24, 2009, he and his band came to play and give their all in

the little Pennine village of Laycock. It was yet another of those nights when one needed to pinch oneself every now and again just to make sure it was really happening. Such a tight band playing a stratospheric standard of music in our own back yard, so to speak.
There was something for everyone.

The purists got their share while other tracks reached those who prefer a rockier style. There were even songs (such as the funky Best Worst Day) which, it could be argued, were not really blues at all.
Drummer Jamie Little must really like the Bronte Blues Club. It was his second visit of the season, his first being with the excellent Sherman Robertson back in November.

He was on great form, as was saxophonist and keyboards man Stratton Doyle. Bassist Kent Beatty completed a line-up that sounded as if it had been together throughout each of its member’s careers.
Hamilton Loomis is a true showman who recognises that fine musicianship is not quite enough for a performance to be memorable. The show included much leaping around, forays into the audience, solos standing on chairs (the village hall tables were not quite up to it) and other antics and asides, none of which compromised the music.
And if that wasn’t enough, there was also a guest appearance by guitarist Alex McKown who is very good and probably becoming increasingly fed up of people being amazed by his age. I’m sure he’s not by ours.
A wonderful evening. Thanks to Hamilton and all concerned

"A very enjoyable night was had by all, watching this bunch of very accomplished players performing the sort of music we all love.Led by the virtuoso harmonica playing and vocals of Paul Jones, they kept a nice variety by alternating the singers. As well as being top musicians, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness and Gary Fletcher all took turns on vocals.They were backed by Rob Townshend on drums, and Bob Hall on piano.

It felt like a very personalised gig, as their repertoire was similar to recent BBC5 offerings. Starting with “San Francisco Bay Blues” and “That’s Alright Mama”, we were also treated to “Before you accuse me” and a Ray Charles tribute.

Other blues classics followed, but one of the highlights was a piano solo from Bob Hall. I’m looking forward to seeing him close up at the Bronte Blues Club.

This was the third time I’d seen The Blues Band at Ilkley, and it was the best yet!"

Ramon Goose Band at the Bronte Blues Club

'Ickledot' writes -

At the risk of becoming repetitive, it was yet another truly great night at the Bronte Blues Club. The headline act was The Ramon Goose Band, a trio which, although based in Essex, includes Hungarian wizard bassist Akos Hasznos. The line-up, a relatively new version of the band, is completed by Paul Francis on drums. They were fantastic. The accoustic-electric mix gave a set which had great variety and also allowed for a quiet start, gradually building to a wonderfully rhythmic version of In My Father’s House to complete the first set. I would certainly love to see them again and would recommend you do the same.
Support act BBC5, due to enter the recording studio on Sunday, reached new heights. They really are becoming a tight outfit. As singer and recent sextaganarian Michael Ford (I take it back Michael - your singing is much better without the cold) mentioned, the band now spans five decades. They are living proof that the generation gap is a myth, in Laycock at least. Long-time members have been somewhat bemused of late at the audience’s early arrival. Could it be they want to make sure they catch the house band?

'Ickledot' writes-

Arriving early to avoid the forecasted Pennine blizzards, ickledot was lucky enough to catch the closing bars of the Sherman Robertson Band’s soundcheck. I knew then that we were in for a special night. As the audience gathered, the sense of anticipation grew.

I know I’ve said it before, but the house band, BBC5, were in particularly good form. Apparently singer Michael Ford had been suffering with a head cold for a number of days and whatever it was that lingered in his nose or throat gave his voice a pleasingly gravelled edge.

And then came the whirlwind that was the Sherman Robertson Band! Having heard their session on last Monday’s Radio 2 Blues programme with Paul Jones, I knew what to expect in terms of style, but nothing could have prepared our little gathering for the performance that followed. From Beaux Bridges, Louisiana to Laycock Village Hall! It never ceases to amaze me that such a quality of music can be heard at this tiny venue high in the hills.

Sherman Robertson is a truly wonderful guitarist and showman. To me, the sound was vaguely reminiscent of Robert Cray and a number of others confirmed the validity of such a comparison. I saw Cray a few years ago (at Manchester Apollo: an inferior venue) and to me Sherman has the edge. More grit in the voice and guitar style. The supporting band were superb. Loud, but so clear, tight and obviously having a great time. Unfortunately a quick trawl on the old internet has not revealed any names, but I think I heard that the bass and keyboards players hailed from Leicester and the drummer from Birmingham.

Luckily Rachel had suggested that her Mom like to make a reservation at the restaurant hosting Doug…. It would have been a real pity to come all that way and miss him.

This is a regular slot for Doug, and his Tommy Bahama-wearing crowd were out in force, from 7pm – 10:30. Respect was apparent, as we listened to the great raconteur telling us this song goes exactly, (not something) like this.

At a break, Barbara took back the capot that Doug left at the Blues Club. He thought it awesome that she’d come all that way to see him. He remembered you well and is looking forward to a reprise in 2009.

“Those guys are dedicated to keeping the blues alive. The schools thing is so cool. Those kids were great”

“As long as I look good..” Well, in his 2 tone lounge shirt, he sure looked and sounded good. This 30 something bought “The Utrecht Sessions” and keeps playing it in the car.. “That ain’t right” keeps you thinking.

Friday saw the start of the much-anticipated Colne R'n'B Festival, particularly as crowd-pleasers Dr Feelgood and Nine Below Zero were on the bill.

Nine Below Zero mixed R'n'B with Rock & Soul in a varied set. Mark Feltham did his harmonica virtuoso bit, particularly on 'Stone Fox Chase' (The Old Grey Whistle Test theme). Dennis Greaves (Gtr) seemed slightly out-of-sorts, by his high standards but they went down a storm. They left the stage to a chorus of boos but only as they'd gone over time and couldn't do an encore. Dr Feelgood preceded them and were at their usual brilliant best banging out high energy R'n'B driven on by Steve Walwyn's excellent guitar work. The 'Feelgoods' - does exactly what it says on the tin!

Seven-piece-band 'Supercharge', opened the night. They played a dynamic set led by Albie Donnelly on sax and vocals. They ripped through Rocket 88, some Louis Jordan stuff, blues and even a mambo! Very entertaining!

After last years' downpour and subsequent retreat to 'the barn', the 'sun shone on the righteous' at Worthenbury's 2008 annual outdoor blues- fest. A massive turnout approaching 500 consisted of a sprinkling of the NW blues-cognoscenti but mostly local families making the most of outstanding musicians on their own doorsteps.

On our way to the field we passed Worthenbury's Village Hall (a virtual shrine to 'bbc' members 'in-the-know', since it was the blueprint for our own residency at Laycock Institute) before claiming our patch-of-grass for the day. Two low-loaders alongside each other provided the electric and acoustic stages with virtually non-stop music for nine hours.

Sam Payne provided her usual accomplished boogie-piano and abrasive patter and Dave Acari's punk-Delta-blues was as incomprehensible as ever. Tommy Allen has recently teamed-up with Smokehouse Blues harpist Johny Hewitt in an acoustic duo. Both are outstanding blues-musicians and fine vocalists and are developing a good rapport and a classy repertoire . Watch out for these two!

On the electric stage, the Stumble did what the Stumble do, but suffered, for me from following the stand-out act of the festival, Bill Sheffield, over from Atlanta, Georgia, and ably supported on bass by Dave Saunders. He was outstanding. Bill plays a swinging, lyrical, finger-picked Piedmont style of blues-guitar with grace and sings with a range and depth of feeling. He is talented and personable -the perfect combination for t'he bbc', I reckon!

Top-of-the-bill was Texan rockabilly-bluesman Lightnin' Willie (see pic.) and his ever-changing band of 'Poor Bys'. His lively set drew even more dancers to 'the floor', some of them sober! It was a terrific, lively finale, to a terrific day; a credit to the organisers and the people of North Wales.

Bronte Blues Club Keighley's INTERNATIONAL BLUES venue		Reviews
In the News Again! The Dirty Robbers at The Bronte Blues Club (8 January 2010). Laycock Village Hall Tim Porter -Music Promoter -Warwickshire/ Gloucestershire- writes in Blues in Britain Magazine - Click on thumbnail The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise –from Ft Lauderdale –January 2010. Michael & Barbara write - It’s hard to describe ‘The Legendary Rhythm& Blues Cruise’ on the Caribbean if you haven’t experienced it. People tried to put us in the picture before we went but our mental picture of it was miles out. The acts on board (and sometimes on the beach at the island stops) are impressive enough –Taj Mahal, Keb Mo’, Magic Slim, Kenny Neal, Tommy Castro, Tab Benoit and others all with their full bands as well as acoustic artists such as Rishelle & Raines and Guy Davis –but the fact that you can catch them up to four times during the week in a variety of venues adds lots of value. In addition to the 2.00-12.00 stage-concerts, the piano bar serves up improvised pro-jamming until 5.00 in the morning if you can stand the pace (we couldn’t). There is all the luxury of cruising – several restaurants, attentive waiter service and roomy cabins –without the formality of traditional cruising. We were able to stand right up to the stage for Taj’s on-deck set or sit at the back of a fully-equipped theatre for the fabulous Ruthie Foster’s last night performance. True, you’re surrounded by 2000+ mainly US citizens with a tenuous grasp on blues heritage but they’re friendly, peaceful and helpful to ‘newbies’ and, after all, nothing’s perfect! PS We’ve already booked for 2011! PS Picture shows Michael on deck with harpist Billy Gibson -not Barbara!