Sat, 26 May 2012 19:20:16 -0800WeeblyTue, 08 May 2012 10:16:40 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2012/05/april-2012.html7th - 24 Pesos Cd launch at Jazz Cafe Camden for the release of the brilliant 'When The Ship Goes Down'. This also tied in with the birthday of Muddy Waters so as well as their own material , we were treated to some tunes of Muddy's courtesy of special guests Todd Sharpville and Jon Amor. A truely wonderful evening.
11th - As my job now leaves me located in the Cotwolds, Marcus Bonfanti Band were playing at The Fleece in Bristol, good venue and equally good crowd saw the band kick severe ass.
14th - Blues At The Farm near Billericay, Essex for an afternoon gig with 24 Pesos, the crowd were  enthralled by the bands performance and are becoming firm favourites with this knowledgeable crowd. n the evening it was off to the Little Rabbit Barn in Ardleigh Essex to see Jay Stapley and Cherry Lee Mewis and her band minus the drummer. Lovely venue where you are treated impeccably by the organisers, the  music on the night from both artists was stunning.
22nd - A welcome trip to Ronnie Sxcott's Jazz Club to see The Blues Explosion play another sold out show with special guest this month, former Blues Breaker Buddy Whittington. Brilliant evening topped with the sighting of music legend George Benson in the crowd having a great time.]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:09:33 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2012/03/march-2012.html2nd - Bernie Marsden & His Acoustic Band played the first of two nights celebrating the re-opening of The Radcliffe Centre in Buckingham. Special guests for the evening were the incredibly talented guitarist Michael Messer and the equal vocal talents of Cherry Lee Mewis. Both evenings were sold out and was a great success.
9th - Hokie Joint were playing in London again, this time at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. This band never give a bad performance but this venue is diabolical for live music when the continuous noise of skittles being trashed and people out for the night cheering all the time, doesn't make it too comfortable for the punter listening to the music. I'm sure they must have a suitable function room on the premises. Well dont Hokie's for sticking it out.
11th - Teenage Cancer Charity Trust gig at 100 Club London. This gig featured the female blues talents of Clare Free Band and Cherry Lee Mewis and her blues gems featuring on dobro Julian Burdock of 24 Pesos. Great night of music for a worthy cause, they was also a covers band playing and a singer from one of those comical talent shows.
12th - Double bill of talent at Famous Monday Blues in Oxford featuring Ron Sayer Jr and Virgil & The Accelerators. to a crowd assembled from parts of the UK and Europe, this was a belter of an evening which even had a terrific jam seesion with Ron joining VATA on stage.
16th -  Matt Andersen returns to London, playing the Archangel in Kensington. Matt can do no wrong in my eyes, exceptional acoustic guitar player as well as one of the best vocalists around, fantastic performer and a fantastic evening.
17th - A 'do not miss' gig at The Borderline London. JJ Grey & Mofro supported by the Marcus Bonfanti Band.  Sold-out crowd were treated to some absolutely brilliant musicians from USA and UK.
18th - Jack Bruce & His Big Blues Band played two sets at The Stables Wavendon to a sell-out crowd. All his band were from the Blues Explosion who play Ronnie Scotts. Great night out and the gig was recorded for cd release.
19th - The Motives ft Matt Taylor played to a good crowd at the Backroom at the Bullingdon in Oxford. Playing tracks from his last band and new Motives material, it was a terrific night of music.
23rd - Joe Bonamassa at the Brighton Centre. I have seen Joe numerous times for a few years now, for some reason I just didn't enjoy the evening too much, Blues Deluxe kept my attention for a while, but everyone else seemed to having a good time. It was good to be in the company of friends from gigs past and new ones from USA.
29th - The Straits and Marcus Bonfanti Band at the IndigO2 London. This was a treat for my Louisiana friend was over for a holiday and was determind to see Marcus perform. Well she did as well as a long chat with him at the aftershow. This was a great evening, The Straits were great performing songs from the extensive Dire Straits catalogue plus a new song.
31st - Robin Bibi Duo at St Annes Castle Gt Leighs Essex. Lovely night out with Robin and Tony Marten and occasional harp from Nick Garner at this fine music establishment that needs your support to keep music live.


CD's
Mitch Laddie - Burning Bridges
Jimmy Bowskill Band - Back Number
WT Feaster - Juggling Dynamite]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:05:06 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2012/03/february-2012.htmlBusier month started off with some very high quality and the standard didn't drop throughout.
10th - Matt Taylor and Mark Butcher at the excellant High Barn venue in Gt Bardfield Essex. Wonderful evening of acoustic music featuring songs from both of their cd's plus some covers.
11th - Wolfpack at BATF, great afternoon session from Tim and the lads giving us tunes from the impressive first cd plus loads more..
13th - Grainne Duffy Band at The Bullingdon Arms Oxford.. I have been waiting a long time to see this band, I wasn't disappointed , what a wonderful night, playing songs from her two releases and a couple of tasteful covers, including the best version of 'I'd Rather Go Blind' that I have heard.
18th - Broadstairs Blues Bash. I only managed to attend the saturday of this fine festival. With friends Maggie and Michael we trawled around the different venues in search of entertainment and we were not  let down. Highlights of the day for me were Snakewater, Jim Crawford, Roscoe Levee and Chantel McGregor.
19th - The Blues Explosion ft Lynne Jackaman. Well what a bloody wonderful night out at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.  Fantastic evenings entertainment and great chat with the musicians and crowd alike.. Only problem with this venue is the managements selective photography ruling., it seems some are allowed, some are not, mine are always better from what I see. :) Anyway the musicians don't mind it at all.
The end of the month finished with a bang as well , as I attended two gigs of different styles but similar quality.
25th  - Beth Hart & Marcus Bonfanti Band at Shepherds Bush Empire. Sold out gig for two amazing acts. Firstly Marcus and boys got a great reception during and after an all too brief support slot of swampy blues. Beth and her band came on and owned the Empire so good they did a six song encore featuring many tunes from her latest release Don't Explain.
26th - Cherry Lee Mewis and her Blues Gems were at The Wig & Pen Northampton for a belter of a show, playing songs from her excellant new release 'Heard It Here First' the whole band wowed the crowd for a very memorable tea time gig.

CD's to recommend
Cherry Lee Mewis - Heard It Here First
Dani Wilde - Juice Me Up
Clare Free - Dust And Bones
Roscoe Levee - Final Approach To Home
Hokie Joint - Force Of Habit (cd single)

]]>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:35:10 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2012/02/january-2012.htmlFirst month of the year and a very quiet one for me. January is notoriously a musicians nightmare for gigs as well as fans alike.
6th - Jazz Cafe, Marcus Bonfanti Band put in a superb performance to a packed out venue, playing songs old, new, borrowed and blue with a special guest appearance from the wonderful Paddy Milner.
19th - again with Marcus Bonfanti Band , this time at The Attic which is a part of  The Forum complex at Herts University Campus.. Although not a packed out gig , the crowd that were there were treated to some excellant swampy blues from three superb musicians.
29th - saw myself at the Queens Arms in Didcot to see Mitch Laddie, Poplar Jake and Rory Evans playing an acoustic jam, very entertaining indeed, both Mitch and Poplar are at this years Hebden Blues Festival in June.

CD's
Bare Bones Boogie Band - Blue ]]>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:08:56 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2012/01/december-2011.htmlLast month of the year and it did not disappoint.

2nd - Bar Blues Hebden Bridge for the Blues Festival 2012 launch featuring Paddy Maguire, Hooson, Fuschi4, Angelo Palladino. Great evening that was well attended at one of the venues ready for June.
3rd - The Venue Chichester for a truely memorable gig with Deborah Bonham and Paul Rodgers, packed out gig in support of the racehorse charity. Everyone who played had a terrific time, the audience were amazing.
17th - BATF to see Cinqui ft Stuart Dixon on guitar, great afternoon with some great music.
18th - Ronnie Scott's to see The Blues Explosion ft Annabel Williams, always an awesome night when this monthly event takes place, such classy musicians.
19th - Scala Kings Cross London for the last gig on the Saint Jude tour and they saved the best for last, what a night, the band just get better and better, big year in 2012 for them.
20th - Arts Centre Cranleigh to the second night of the annual charity event hosted ny Paul Jones & Friends, tonight featuring the wonderful talents of Paddy Milner, Silas Maitland, Marcus Bonfanti, Cherry Lee Mewis, Bernie  Marsden and Paul Jones. Many more talented musicians as well whose names I cannot recall, played to a sold out crowd raising loads of money for Paul's charities.
21st - Dublin Castle Camden London, a promotion night featuring the excellant Big Num, these guys played a half hour set that featured three new songs, these guys deserve to be signed up and gigging UK regularly.
21st - after Camden I took a short trip on the tube to The Alleycat for the weekly and classy Sam Hare's Electric Jam, great musicians on show showing off their skills under the organisational skills of Sam.

A fitting end to an incredible year of gigs and cd releases, more of the same in 2012.
]]>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:54:39 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2011/11/november-2011.html1st at the Academy 2 in Islington for the inauggeral Hoaxfest featuring  one of the all time great British bands, The Hoax. The members of the band were supporting with their own solo projects including, Well Hung Heart, Jesse Davey Experiment, The Davey Brothers, Jon Amor Blues Group and Hugh Coltman. Thoroughly terrific evenings entertainment of great music, humour and fellow gig buddies.
3rd was again the second Hoaxfest, this time at the bands home territory of Devizes. The Corn Exchange was the setting for the same format as Islington, afterwards at The Bell pub , the aftershow featured a storming jam session with all of the band and support players plus some guests, including Gwyn Ashton.
11th was my first visit to the new Essex venue, The Touchline, in Hullbridge, to see USA act Billy Walton Band. super entertainment from these guys who are regular visitors to the UK.
12th saw me attending the Corn Exchange in Hertford to see one of my all time favourite bands, The Blockheads, a fantastic performance from the guys who never let me down live.
16th this is gig that will live long in the memory for me. Marcus Bonfanti Band at the Academy 2 Islington, took the roof off with a stunning display that had the crowd at the packed out venue cheering , clapping and singing with obvious joy, excellant support provided by Sam Hare who was playing acoustic and engaged the crowd with some wonderful songs.
20th was a visit to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club to see The Blues Explosion with special guest Hugh Coltman. I know from several attendees that this night was one they will never forget, the class on show was literally the best of British.
24th a trip to the New Crawdaddy, Crays Hill, Essex to see a terrific evening in the company of The Heaters  supporting the very talented 24 Pesos, it was an evening that had all smiling on the way out after. Pesos showing why they are one of the best of the new breed on the circuit, playing songs from their two releases and a couple from the forthcoming third release early next year.
26th saw myself and a couple of friends at The Bull Theatre in Barnet to see new artist Tobi Earnshaw recording a concert dvd in support of his recording contract in USA, he was supporting the wonderfully talented Steve Rodgers. Steve is a great song-writer and showed his skills to their best tonight, very impressive night out with some superb UK talent.
27th final event of the month for me and it doesn't come any better than a Saint FM Tim Aves The Blues Is Back live radio session in the company of top UK pianoman Paddy Milner. Four songs of awesome piano skill that I filmed and are now on youtube for everyone's viewing pleasure. ]]>Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:10:18 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2011/10/october-2011.html7th, my first visit in a while to The Bull in Colchester, in fact the room at the back of the premises called The Soundhouse to see Hokie Joint play a wonderful couple of sets in front of their home crowd. This was HJ at their most dangerous , if you were there you would know why.
11th was a major gig at 100 Club London with Marcus Bonfanti, Big Boy Bloater and Cherry Lee Mewis, a great night for those who made it for a wonderful nights music, great to catch up with some old friends.
15th & 16th I attended the first Bedford Blues Festival held at the lovely venue called Esquires. Artists featured on the days I attended were Marcus Bonfanti, Northsyde, Carlos Linnett, The Nimmo Brothers, Cherry Lee Mewis, Three, Chantel McGregor. Some of the best British musicians around entertained the thoroughly appreciative crowd, long may this festival continue.
20th, another trip to the 100 Club to see Chantel McGregor again. Good set of covers and own material from her cd and of course the banter with the crowd. Highlight was an incredible version of 'Lenny'.
21st and 22nd I was attending both shows at Hammersmith Apollo with Joe Bonamassa. Great two days with excellant music and friends, is there a better live show about?
26th once again at the 100 Club, for an amazing night with Todd Sharpville and his band plus some special guests, including Marcus Bonfanti, Paul Lamb, David Mcalmont and Earl Green.  Excellant evenings entertainment from Todd, let's hope he plays the capital more often.
29th a trip to BATF to see the wonderful Hokie Joint in their home county, bumper crowd and a rather awesome afternoon of music.

]]>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:08:00 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2011/09/september-2011.html1st, saw me attending the 12 Bar Club in Denmark St, London to see the rather wonderful Kara Grainger who hails from Australia via LA , with a great band featuring Paddy  Milner, Kara playing songs both original and covers was very accomplished on both acoustic and electric guitars with some slide as well.
8th, my first visit to the new bi-weekly event now at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes with The Whiskey Mules and Earl Thomas & Big Sounds, a splendid event that had all the crowd + bowlers dancing the night away.
10th & 11th , was Newark Blues Festival 2011, great chance to catch up with some friends from previous festival around the country this year. The bands weren't bad either with Jon Amor Blues Group, Hokie Joint , Ian Siegal Band all providing some very high class best of British entertainment through the sun and rain. The second day was mainly reserved for the British Blues Awards results and awarding of trophies. The music was again very good featuring Cliff Brown Band, Idle Hands and the excellant Hooson followed by Tim Aves & Wolfpack who thoroughly entertained the crowd at the end of the festival , it was also their cd launch as well.
16th, off to the Boom Boom Club to see Henrik Freischlader Band on their debut UK tour. Thoroughly enjoyable two set evening and as well as great musicians, great guys as well to chat to.
18th, I was lucky to be invited along to Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club to see the Blues Explosion (Paddy Milner plus some of Jack Bruces' backing band and Jools Holland Orchestra), play some great jazz/blues featuring Annabelle Williams on a few songs at rhe end of the first set. The second set featured then wonderful Kara Grainger who wowed the crowd with some great songs.
21st, Hard Rock Cafe in London was the venue for a special acoustic show by Saint Jude sponsored by Classic Rock magazine. Members of Thunder and Voodoo Six in the audience to witness a very special set by the band which had everyone cheering all the way through.
22nd, I was with Marcus Bonfanti on his support slot with Danny & The Champions at Bush Hall London, Marcus played longer than originally expected due to the other support act being ill. Lovely venue and Marcus yet again did us all proud.
27th, off to Nags Head in High Wycombe for the return of Cherry Lee Mewis, this time in a trio with Robbie Stewart-Mathews on bass and harmonica, Max Milligan on acoustic guitar. A very good attendance were treated to songs of both released cd's plus a smattering of very promising, soon to be recorded, new songs.
30th, last gig of the month and it doesn't come any better than Paddy Milner and Marcus Bonfanti with band. First time at the rather good venue called The Bubble Club in the Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable. Excellant performances from all who played and the encore jam featuring Marcus and Paddy was amazing.



18th - Isabella Bonfanti born

CD - Kara Grainger - Grand And Green River & LA Blues
CD - Tim Aves & Wolfpack - The Wolfpack Burnham Sessions
CD - Matt Andersen - Coal Mining Blues.


]]>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:11:44 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2011/08/august-2011.html6th I was at the Saturday of Cambridge Rock Festival, this is a great event running annually over 4 days  and has some amazing acts. First up for me was the rather excellant Cherry Lee Mewis and her great band who soon blew ther cobwebs off those early rising hangovers to wow the crowd with a superb set.  Next for me was a rather wonderful surprise in the form of  Stolen Earth who were playing their first gig and it was a joy to behold. Hailing from York they played a set of some superbly crafted songs in the melodic prog style. Really looking forward to hearing more from them. I went to the other stage after to see The Jives, The Heaters and Roy Mette Band who kept the crowd happy with some lovely afternoon tunes. Aireya51 were the next act for me who played an accomplished set of rock tunes, then it was time for Chantel McGregor who had the crowd in the palm of her hand , she and her band played a glorious set of covers and self-penned material that I am sure sold well after the set had finished. After Chantel I had to leave sadly due to lack of sleep and a drive home for an early start somewhere else next day. Rather enjoyable affair at Cambridge catching up with old friends and making new ones as well, its what festivals are all about and I cannot wait for 2012.
13th was a trip to see pals 24 Pesos at BATF, another excellant gig from these guys playing songs from their two releases plus some new material. The crowd are loving this band at this venue.
14th proved to be a briiliant night in Powers Bar, Kilburn, with the amazing Marcus Bonfanti Band. Loads of fans and musicians in the crowd to witness the devil at our doorstep. New songs and old played with  class and emotion.
15th I was once again with 24 Pesos back at 606 Club London, great club and the boys played a diferent set from a couple of days ago but it was just as good, a few new fans gained.
27th saw myself at Rhythm Festival for the first of my two days here. I had the added bonus of helping out Sandi Thom with the merchandise and of course seeing her and her excellant band give a super performance. Other bands I had the pleasure of seeing there as well Jack Bruce, Sidewalk Doctors , Nick Lowe, Imelda May and the fabulous Curved Air. The second day I took in The Stone Foundation, the fantastic Saint Jude, Oli Brown Band, Sherman Robertson and finally the always excellant The Blockheads. My visit was rather short at the festival, not due to the unpredictable weather, but to go to The Stables at Milton Keynes to see Cherry Lee Mewis supporting Robin Trower at a sold out gig. I wasn't merely a spectator but also helping out with the merchandise during and after the cracking show.
29th was my first visit to New Cross Inn in South London to see a great gig line up of Jon Amor Blues Group who played a marvellous set featuring tracks from the upcoming cd release. Marcus Bonfanti and Paddy Milner played a couple of wonderful solo sets, then setting up together for a great send off set, so many smiling faces in the crowd and was a joy to behold.

CD - The Curious Case Of Paddy Milner
CD - Jon Amor Blues Group

]]>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 02:37:35 -0800http://www.fanzeyeview.com/1/post/2011/07/july-2011.htmlAnother busy month in the world of gigging. 2nd saw me once again at BATF to see the wonderful Denny Newman & The Regulars, one of the best guitarists about who you  might have seen years ago in Manfreds Earth band, also featuring the talents of ex Chris Rea/Jeff Beck pianoman Max Middleton., excellant afternoons entertainment.
5th was a great pleasure in meeting and watching the sublime genius of  Warren Haynes  and his excellant band, playing songs from his career as well as most of his superb cd Man In Motion.
7th was catch up time with one of my favourite bands 24 Pesos at Cellar Bar Blues at The Maltings in Farnham. Great two sets played featuring some new tunes for the forthcoming new cd.
9th was a local gig at the ever improving Kelvedon Music Festival, a free event that featured Automatic Slim and The Blockheads in front of a very large local crowd, the other bands on the bill were very good indeed showing the local talent we have.
13th was a very busy evening, firstly a tea time start at Upstairs At Ronnie Scotts for the cd launch of 'The Curious Case Of Paddy Milner', the venue was packed out to a very enthusiastic crowd, judging by the smiles all around it was a great success. later I managed to persuade Paddy Milner and Todd Sharpville to join me across the road at The Alleycat for Sam Hare's Jam Session, also in attendance was jazz/blues singer Kerry Jo Hodgkin. The jam also features some wonderfully talented musicians who are not in the mainstream, but boy can they play, well worth checking out if you are ever free on a Weds evening.
14th another early start, this time at St Pancras Railway Station for The Station Sessions featuring Marcus Bonfanti Band and Vintage Trouble. Marcus and the boys gave us a great set to a very appreciative crowd, Vintage Trouble have had a lot of hype surrounding them recently due to the prestigious gigs they have had over here, I am not totally convinced at this time of the hype , they are good and worth going to see , but we have better in this country.
15th saw me at The Borderline in the company of the bloody wonderful Ian Siegal & The Mississippi Mudbloods. Awesome gig featuring songs from Ian's new cd 'The Skinny' and some from 'Broadside', also Paddy Milner giving us a couple of New Orleans flavoured songs. A triumph for all concerned.
17th saw me at The Onley Arms Stisted Essex for a jam session in the afternoon featuring 3/4 of Wolfpack joined from USA by Owen Barry. Very enjoyable session played to a packed out venue.
21st, back in South London to see Marcus Bonfanti play his first electric solo set at The Bedford in Balham, playing a few new songs for his upcoming 3rd release and very good it was.
22nd I was with Marcus Bonfanti again , this time with his fine band at The Blues Kitchen in Camden, packed out to the door this was a great gig, hot and sweaty, with the band playing a terrific set.
23rd was the Ealing Summer Blues Festival, with a great line up and only £4 entry, this had to be the bargain of the summer. The acts I managed to catch while there were, Bob Hokum and The Guvnors, Sam Kelly's Station House, Sandi Thom, Wolfpack and Connie Lush.
25th was a gig that was burning a hole in my calender, the return of the remarkable Philip Sayce and his band supported by Marcus Bonfanti, who again played a storming solo electric set. Philip took the stage and had everyone mesmerized by his guitar playing for almost 2 hrs, he gets better and better on every tour.
26th saw me return to The Grey Horse in Kingston for the visit of USA soul/blues man Andrew Black as guest of Robin Bibi Band. An excellant for all concerned and a very welcome return to these shores for Andrew.
29th and Andrew Black/Robin Bibi were at St Annes Castle in Essex as a duo for the evening, very entertaining with some added help from Tim Aves on harmonica and Fergie Fulton on bass.
Final act of July on 30th for me was a trip to Manchester to see Black Country Communion supported by Michael Schenker Group. This gig was collosal with MSG and BCC giving their all in a gig that ranks up there with the best I've seen over the years.

CD:  Ruby Electric - Philip Sayce ]]>