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Matt
Schofield Band
30th April
Paul Johnson writes -
The Matt
Schofield Band headed into the hills above Keighley on Saturday to
continue the Heads, Tails & Aces tour.
The Bronte Blues Club (BBC), run by volunteers, and located in Laycock
Village Hall, is a great little venue. One Friday a month the Village Hall
is decorated with pictures of blues greats, and its members get ready for a
night of blues music.
Last month it was Hamilton Loomis, next month is Big Pete and the Backbones.
Sandwiched in between was the Matt Schofield Band.
The location was a real contrast to the previous nights gig in Sheffield. In
the afternoon the guys played at a local school as part of the local "Blues
in Schools" program. The band was then treated to a superb cooked dinner
(steaks all round) at the local pub, The Turkey Inn. This put them in a
great mood for the evenings gig.
The support act was the BBC 4 and they did a great job of warming up
the already hot and packed room. The gig had been SOLD OUT for a number of
weeks and the crowd were certainly eager to hear Matt play. For myself, it
was a lucky night as I won the members draw (a Ray Charles CD) AND the club
raffle (a Louis Jordan CD). I was also lucky as I got to see a great
performance from the band.
The set was split into to two and the guys seemed to be having a great time.
The order of the songs was different to the previous nights gig in
Sheffield, but consisted of mostly the same songs. I won't list the songs
but all the favourites, old and new, were there. Matt was on serious form
from the off and the crowd really showed there appreciation.
If you haven't seen Matt live then I urge you to book for his tour later in
the year. I know I will be attending as many as I can.
Read Keith Lee's review of
'The Backbones'
(21st May) in July's
Blues in Britain.
(Click thumbnail)
'A Keith Lee Review'
The Burnley Blues
Festival -3rd April
John
writes -
With the "sky blues" of
Manchester City trouncing the "claret and blues" 6-1 at Turf Moor on the
same day as the 22nd National Festival, Burnley certainly had a lot of blues
on the 3rd of April!
The main stage kicked off with The Stumble. Preston's fine 6 piece band,
comprising 2 guitars, bass, drums,sax, and vocals. They played a very
enjoyable set. All good musicians, they rattled through their stuff in fine
style.
Next up were Paul Jones and Dave Kelly. Doing the stuff from their two
recent live albums, they show what a great sound can be made with just an
acoustic guitar, harmonica, and vocals. What they don't do is build up any
momentum with the music, as their set is full of pauses and long
introductions, which tend to flatten the experience. Shame that, as they
really are superb at what they do, and their "traditional" blues are great.
James Hunter and his band had more of a soul feel to them, but hunger called
and I missed most of his set. Sounded to go down well though.
Mike Sanchez was brilliant. Playing boogie- woogie piano, rock 'n' roll,
and blues NON-STOP, he's a real crowd pleaser. Enjoyed the variety of
musicians with him; guitars, saxes, including some of his early mentors, all
brought on without interrupting the flow of his good-time music.
I took the opportunity to look in on the downstairs stage where Chantelle
McGregor was playing, as I wanted to see Alex who does the sound, and
occasionally drums for us at the BBC on stage with her. Nice bass playing
Alex!
This was a first visit to Burnley blues, and will not be the last, despite
the Police attempt to virtually close down the town. (Burnley had been well
thrashed by Man City earlier in the day).
Click thumbnail for Keighley
News review of Guy Tortora's visit to Laycock
Click on the thumbnail to read
Blues in Britain
review of
Guy Tortora
(5th March 2010)
'A Keith Lee Review'
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!
Click the thum
bnail to read the
review of Ben Waters' memorable visit to 'the bbc' as featured in February's 'Blues
in Britain'.
'A Keith Lee Review'
Click
thumbnail for Toby Walker's
review in
November's
Blues in Britain
Magazine.
'A Keith Lee Review'
Efes Blues Festival, Girne, Cyprus (21st October)
Barbara
writes-
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 13th EFES BLUES FESTIVAL and now there’s the 20th
poster on our wall in Cyprus.
Click thu
mbnail
for
Peter Greenwood's Keighley News
review of bbc5's CD -Keighley
Tennessee
Clic
k
thumbnail for
Roach & Mars
review in May's
Blues in Britain
Magazine.
'A Keith Lee
review.'
Hamilton
Loomis Band -April 24th 2009
'Ickledot' writes -
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
Keith Lee
writes - A
'Blues in Britain' Report.-April
2009
The
Blues Band at the King's Hall, Ilkley
(18th March)
John
writes -
"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!"
Keith Lee
writes - A
'Blues in Britain' Report.-March
2009
Peter
Greenwood writes in 'The Keighley News' (March 5th)
Keith Lee
writes - A
'Blues in Britain' Report.-March
2009
Keith Lee
writes - A
'Blues in Britain' Report.-February
2009
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?
Bronte
Blues Club -Sherman
Robertson Band
Pic -Idris
Keith Lee
writes -
A
'Blues in Britain' Report.
November 2008
Pic -Idris Richards
Sherman Robertson Band - 21st November
at 'the bbc'
'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.
Thanks go also to the organisers for managing to capture this rare
talent for the Bronte Blues Club. If not thought of as an
essential venue on the British blues scene before, it truly is now.
A magical night. And it didn’t snow.
Bronte Blues Club -Kent
Duchaine
Pic -Charles Waller
Keith Lee
writes -
A
'Blues in Britain' Report.
November 2008
Peter Greenwood's -Craven Herald Review
Doug
McLeod @ Iva Lee’s San Clemente CA.
Review & portrait by -Chris
Lackey (CA, USA)
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”
When Barbara asked if they could use the photo on the
website, he said
“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.
Co
lne
R'n'B Festival -August 2008
Jackie & John write - "..high
energy R'n'B..."
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!
Worthenbury Blues & Roots Festival
- Wrexham, North Wales -June 2008
Barbara
writes - "...the sun shone on the righteous.."
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.
e-mail
-
branwell@bronteblues.com
Bronte
Blues
Club
Blues and Roots Festival.
3rd July 2010.
