Review: Andy Fairweather Low - Birkenhead - 15 Nov 2008

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Ken
on Thursday 20 November 2008
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Andy Fairweather Low

ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW & THE LOW RIDERS
Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead: 15.11.08

This was another splendid gig as part of the 20th International Guitar Festival of Great Britain, attracting a packed house to Pacific Road to see one of British rock music’s most enduring and in-demand musicians, the Cardiff-born Andy Fairweather Low, and his top calibre band, comprising Dave Bronze (bass and vocals), Richard Dunn (Hammond organ) and Paul Beavis (drums).

A marvellous two hour, two set show comprised songs from Fairweather Low’s pop star days in the 1960s’ up to his more recent work, with all bases covered - from blues to country, to gospel and rock - all highlighting his tremendous guitar playing and distinctive voice.

It’s easy to see how he has always been in demand - 11 years in Eric Clapton’s band, regularly touring with Roger Waters and Bill Wyman, and a prominent role in the George Harrison memorial concert - as he is a great guitar player in many styles, with seemingly a different guitar for each one as well!

First set treats were topped with a rip-roaring romp through Junior Parker’s Sun Records classic, “Mystery Train” - complete with afore-mentioned guitar work; the lovely “Hymn For My Soul”, recently recorded by Joe Cocker; and the big hit, “La Booga Rooga”. The set ending timeless gospel tune, “I Shall Not Be Moved”, saw another switch to a most unusual shaped guitar, but producing a great, dirty tone - top stuff indeed!

A couple of nice acoustic blues opened the second set, including “Rolling And Tumbling, before a dip back into gospel for “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?”, before a nice, laid back take on some Jimmy Reed blues, “Peeping And Hiding”. He then twanged it up on a Lightning Hopkins instrumental, “Lightning Boogie”, donning a rather large and oversized stetson for some reason?

A major chunk of the last half hour of the show centred on his golden days with Amen Corner - from “Natural Sinner” to a great version of the band’s first single, “Gin House Blues” - featuring some tremendous playing from fellow Welshman Richard Dunn, whose keyboard work was stunning all evening - he is another with a most impressive CV, including work with Van Morrison.

His biggest solo hit “Wide Eyed And Legless” brought a great show to an end, before returning for a brace of encores - the two big hits, “Bend Me, Shape Me” and “(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice” - still sounding great 40 years on, just like Mr. Fairweather Low himself!

A special mention must go to his great band - the experienced rhythm section of Dave Bronze - great vocals as well -  and Paul Beavis were on the button all night - with, as mentioned, Richard Dunn’s Hammond playing superb!

GRAHAME RHODES

Note from Ken - I could not find a picture of Andy Fairweather Low from this tour so I relied on a regular source for bluesinthenorthwest.com pictures.  So many thanks to Paul Webster for the picture.

Interviews with Blues musicians

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Ken
on Wednesday 19 November 2008
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The site The Musician’s Voice features biweekly audio interviews with a selection of musicians.  Many blues musicians are featured, some are internationally famous while some are not.

Examples include Magic Slim, Lurrie Bell and Ronnie Baker Brooks

http://www.themusiciansvoice.com/

LIFE photo archive hosted by Google

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Ken
on Tuesday 18 November 2008
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Google announced today that they’re now hosting around 10 million photos from the LIFE photo archives on Google Image search. You can search the photos—which range from the 1750s to present day—directly from the LIFE photo archive start page, or you can simply include source:life with any Google Image search query.

I have not explored the archive much but I expect that there may be a couple of blues related pictures.  Let me know if you find anything.  I only found Josh White.  Nice photos though.

YouTube: Jagger plays a “pub gig” in the 1980s

Published
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Ken
on Monday 17 November 2008
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Absolutely crammed into a hotel in Melbourne.  Joe Satriani is on guitar!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZaGXppQUkM

Review: Super Chikan - “Sum’ Mo’ Chikan”

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Grahame
on Monday 17 November 2008
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SUPER CHIKAN
“Sum’ Mo’ Chikan”
(Chikan Howse Records, VizzTone Label Group: CH001)

The fifth album from Clarksdale, Mississippi bluesman Super Chikan, born James Johnson, is an uncomplicated, simple straight-ahead blues offering, dominated by his scratchy guitar work and turbo-charged solos - on his ‘chik-can-tars’ - his individual and ornate gas can and broomstick instruments, as well as conventional guitars.

He has a sunny, positive outlook on life and the blues, and this release is full of humour, but far from a novelty item - his nickname originating from when, as a young boy, he tried to talk to chickens and understand them - his musical education being in the form of masters such as Jimmy Reed, Elmore James and Lightnin’ Hopkins, to name but a few, eventually performing with his uncle, Big Jack Johnson, and other Mississippi bluesmen such as Sam Carr and Frank Frost.

Twelve, sometimes lengthy, tracks kick off with a Freddie King tribute in the shape of “Freddy’s Thang” - mainly like the classic track “The Stumble”; followed by the fine “Crystal Ball Eyes”, with some expressive guitar work; and “Hookin’ Up” with its nod to the late, great John Lee Hooker with its strutting boogie riff and some yodelling thrown in for good measure, with a dip into “Boom Boom”.

The pace is taken down on the epic slow blues of “Yard Dog Blues” - featuring some nice piano from Laura ‘Lala’ Craig; before a trip south of the border on “Mexico City” - a rollicking mid-tempo shuffle, with a Mariachi feel! The funky feel of “Full Moon Blues” is another standout as Chikan and band drop into a soul/blues groove - very nice too!

“Peter Truck” sees Chikan in Elmore James territory with some slashing slide guitar work and the rolling “Love Cruiser” is an ode to his car one presumes, with a most amusing set of lyrics - again beautifully played by the band, particularly the piano work again.

One for all blues purists - as said previously, a simple blues album, nicely played by all concerned which I would imagine will ensure for a great night out or festival set if you were catching him and the band live!

GRAHAME RHODES

Gig: Trafficker - Worthenbury - 05 Dec 2008

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Pete Evans
on Sunday 16 November 2008
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TOMMY ALLEN

Some advance news about the gig at Worthenbury on December 5th with Trafficker.

Since the band’s acclaimed but rather rocky last album “Fade To Black”, Tommy Allen has moved into the region and has brought in a tried and tested rhythm section in Micky Barker on drums and Chris Lomas on bass.  With that has come a dramatic swing back to basics with the band concentrating on a virtually total blues set.

They have been in the studio and have recorded a number of new tracks and have updated a few old ones bringing in a superb brass section, The Black Country Horns.

The whole big band accompanied by Graham Toone on piano and special guest Johny Hewitt on harmonica will make December 5th a night to remember.
Listen to some of the recently recorded tracks on My Space:-
www.myspace.com/traffickerbanduk and
www.myspace.com/tommyallenjohnyhewitt

for ticket  info call Pete Evans on 01948 770215

YouTube: Charlie Musselwhite

Published
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Ken
on Sunday 16 November 2008
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Here’s Charlie Musselwhite from earlier this week at Pacific Road, Birkenhead.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sYwf7lCcdac

One of three from the excellent collections of Groundhog56.

Good stuff at the BBC

Published
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Ken
on Saturday 15 November 2008
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Two things for you this week from the BBC, unfortunately you have missed both of them, however modern technology allows all this to be put right via the internet.

Radio 4 this week featured a programmme all about how the ‘64 folk-blues tour (Muddy, Sonny & Brownie, Sister Rosetta etc) came to be filmed in a Manchester railway station. There are good quotations from producer Johnny Hamp and tour manager Joe Boyd.

Available on Listen Again.  Thanks to Mike from the Cadillac Kings for pointing this one out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/pip/kiwvc/

The ever excellent Jools Holland last night featured Eli “Paperboy” Reed.  I am sure that this is available to watch again in the BBC iPlayer.

Enjoy!

Gig: Upcoming shows at Warrington

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Ken
on Saturday 15 November 2008
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P1010203

Here are the next few shows at the excellent Warrington Blues Club.

Friday November 21st -Guy Tortora band

Friday December 5th  - Ian Parker Band + Support

At Warrington Town F.C.
Loushers Lane
Warington
WA4 2RS
Doors Open 8pm
£10 On The Door.

http://www.guytortora.com/

http://www.ianparkermusic.com/

Flickr photo from oricmuso

Review: Charlie Musselwhite - Birkenhead - 11 Nov 2008

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Grahame
on Thursday 13 November 2008
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Charlie Musselwhite

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE & DAVE PEABODY
Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead: 11.11.08

It may have seemed strange as part of the 20th International Guitar Festival of Great Britain to feature a gig by one of the greatest blues harmonica players of all time, but maybe here a brief history lesson is needed. Charlie Musselwhite was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, but moved to Memphis as a youngster and learnt guitar from the likes of Will Shade (who was actually a harmonica player!) and Furry Lewis, and the instrument has featured ever since in his long career.

He then moved on to Chicago where he honed his harmonica skills, eventually sitting in with such legends as Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and Little Walter, before relocating again to San Francisco, working in the city’s rock boom - eventually becoming a top draw live act again in the Eighties and Nineties - and releasing a string of fine albums on many labels such as Alligator, Blind Pig and Pointblank.

Accompanying Musselwhite, was British blues stalwart, Dave Peabody, on a second visit to Pacific Road this year, after playing with David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards, and he started the show with a most entertaining 40-minute set, featuring his fine acoustic guitar work and strong voice. Highlights were the lovely opening traditional tune “Crow Jane”; Junior Wells “Early In The Morning”; and some audience participation on little known bluesman Oscar ‘Buddy’ Woods “Don’t Sell It, Don’t Give It Away”.

After a short break Charlie Musselwhite took to the stage alone, starting on electric guitar for some stripped-down blues with a distinctly Delta feel, including the ‘road’ song “Town To Town”, and with Memphis being a ‘river town’ the fine “Blues Up The River”. Introducing a rack harmonica holder he featured a couple of his best known songs, the brooding “In The Darkest Hour and “Stingaree”, and the great “My Road Lies In Darkness”.

We were also treated to a mini-harmonica masterclass as Musselwhite discussed different keys on various harmonicas with a brief demonstration with a cracking little instrumental piece thrown in for good measure.

Dave Peabody then returned and accompanied Musselwhite, with the rest of the show featuring his trademark amplified harmonica, which to be honest is why everybody was there - a very unique and instantly recognisable style and tone, from a friend of mine who knows these things! As a duo they kicked off with a rollicking “Blues Overtook Me”, followed by “Wild, Wild Woman” and a nice “As The Crow Flies”, with some top guitar work from Peabody, and Musselwhite’s vocals, that still contain a ‘Southern’ edge, despite all those years away.

A smashing hour ended with a much-demanded encore - blues legend Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy” - a great tune that has been often covered over the years, rounding off a most enjoyable evening in the company of two master musicians and all-round nice guys - yet another great gig at a top festival.

GRAHAME RHODES

A couple other pics at http://flickr.com/photos/kenpeace/sets/1574382/

YouTube: Dave Peabody

Published
by
Ken
on Thursday 13 November 2008
in Northwest Videos and Videos
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Here’s Dave Peabody from the Charlie Musselwhite gig on Tuesday 11 Nov.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qtKy058A1QA

Thanks to Groundhog56 for capturing and uploading

Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley

Published
by
Ken
on Thursday 13 November 2008
in News
. 1 Comment

Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley_3798, originally uploaded by vladrus.

In the region this weekend.

Mitch Mitchell RIP

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Ken
on Thursday 13 November 2008
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Mitch Mitchell, the British drummer in the seminal 1960s band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has been found dead in his US hotel room, authorities say.

Read more at the BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7726024.stm

James Hunter Live on Austin radio

Published
by
Ken
on Wednesday 12 November 2008
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July 2008.  London-based soul, R&B, bluesman and all-around wunderkind James Hunter wowed listeners with 2005’s Grammy-nominated release People Gonna Talk. This year’s follow-up The Hard Way features more of Hunter’s irresistible soul retro-vibe with New Orleans piano and songwriting legend Allen Toussaint. Listen to James Hunter live on Music with Jay Trachtenberg.

http://kut.org/items/show/13303

Gig: Great news from Southport in 2009

Published
by
Ken
on Wednesday 12 November 2008
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Jon Cleary

There is a great line up of artists coming to Southport in 2009.

As well as The Michael Roach Band on 7th November 2008 and Sherman Robertson on 5th December 2008  there are the following delights to look out for.  I am especially excited about Jon Cleary scheduled for May 2009.

Southport Arts Centre (unless stated)
Box Office: 01704 540011
Online: www.seftonarts.co.uk

Saturday 24 January, 8pm
BLUE BLOKES 3
plus support, Zoe Mulford
www.blueblokes3.com
www.zoemulford.com
Tickets: £8 (£6 concessions)

Saturday 21 March, 8pm
THE HAMSTERS PLAY HENDRIX & ZZ TOP
Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions)

Saturday 28 March, 8pm
AT CROSBY CIVIC HALL
THE BLUES BAND
Tickets: £15 (£13 concessions)

Friday 17 April, 8pm
LOUISIANA RED & MICHAEL MESSER
Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions)

Saturday 9 May, 8pm
ALBERT LEE & HOGAN’S HEROES
Tickets: £15 (£13 concessions)

Friday 29 May, 7.30pm
JON CLEARY & THE ABSOLUTE MONSTER GENTLEMEN
Tickets: £16 (£14 concessions)

Southport Arts Centre
Box Office: 01704 540011
Online: www.seftonarts.co.uk

Review: Jake Walker and Crosscut Saw at Liverpool Marina: 6 November 2008

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Lionel
on Tuesday 11 November 2008
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As the third gig on an extensive European tour, this was Jake Walker’s first appearance in Liverpool. The man from New York City was backed by Leeds-based trio, Crosscut Saw, who comprised guitarist/harmonica player Alex Eden, drummer Richard Ferdinando and stand-in bass guitarist Ben Coleman.

Crosscut Saw opened the proceedings with three numbers before welcoming Jake Walker on stage, who announced his arrival with the funky “Confidence Man”, the title track of his recently released album. He then delivered an excellent version of Muddy Waters’s “Can’t Get No Grindin’”, followed by a funky-edged, rocking instrumental and the bluesy ballad, “Time For Love”. Jake added a lively slide guitar to the next number prior to ending the first set with his splendid instrumental tribute to Freddie King, “Mondo Freddie”.

The second set was again opened with three numbers from Crosscut Saw, including a fine rendition of a compelling Mississippi Hills number. Jake Walker then provided another brilliant helping of Freddie King’s repertoire in the form of “Tore Down”, breaking a string in the process. Alex Eden admirably filled the potential hiatus with a solo performance accompanied by acoustic harp. Jake resumed with “Miniskirt”, another number featured on his new album, followed by a very distinctive rendition of “Walkin’ The Dog”. He then inserted a second, but briefer, interlude to allow himself the opportunity to chat to members of the audience before raising the stakes with “Cross Cut Saw”, complete with more tasty guitar work. Still in Albert King mode, he then brought the set to a close with “Laundromat Blues”.

This was another very enjoyable evening at Liverpool Marina, which was well supported by a healthy gathering of regular punters, despite the counter-attraction of the MTV Awards Ceremony at the nearby Echo Arena. There again, given the choice – no contest.

Lionel Ross

(photograph by John R Welsh)