My first gig of this crazy month, 2nd, was to see Tim Aves and his band Wolfpack at a local pub to me called the Onley Arms for a night of re-invigourated Howling Wolf tunes plus others from the genre, played with the vigour of musicians enjoying what they do, go and see them when you can .
Luckily for me another local gig on the 3rd, was at the classy High Barn complex in Gt Bardfield, Essex to see the wonderful Sandi Thom Band play a stunning set mainly from her superb cd Merchant & Thieves. It was good to catch up with the band again, don't miss her on this tour she and the band are on great form.
Due to illness I was forced to miss a couple of gigs that I was really looking forward to, Voodoo Six and Marcus Bonfanti/Paddy Milner, giving me time to make some notes on cd reviews and some gigs I have been to recently.
7th was an event I was really looking forward to , A Tribute To Muddy Waters at the Jazz Cafe in Camden London, 24 Pesos played a set then provided the backing for guests including Jojo Burgess (Hokie Joint), Bex Marshall and Ian Siegal. Terrific entertainment for a very well attended gig I am happy to say.
8th was a trip to BATF in the afternoon to see the wonderful Hokie Joint play a blinder to a packed out venue on a gloriously sunny day, playing old songs and a few from the forthcoming 'The Music Starts To Play' cd.
14th saw me make a first visit to Jagz in Ascot to see the Clare Free Band, Clare started off proceedings with a set of acoustic covers, then later she returned with her fine band to play songs from her cd and ep. A good night was had by those lucky enough to be there.
16th saw me at the CRF Springfest - Haddenham Beer Festival, this was a great weekend event , but I was only attending the Saturday. Luckily the weather proved favourable for the marquee bar serving up all sorts of alcoholic delights and the food wagon was doing a roaring trade. The music wasn't too bad either, I managed to see four of the acts on show today. Firstly was the very much improved Ben Poole Band, playing a few covers with a twist and their own material which I am glad to say made a few of us,who had seen Ben last year, nodding approvingly at the much appreciated improvement that comes with gigging, the band all great lads to have a chat with as well. Cherry Lee Mewis was on the list for me next to see. Cherry and her terrific band were quite simply awesome and I think my favourite band of the day, quality musicians and a knock-em dead vocalist. They played tracks mainly from the two cd releases and a couple of well chosen covers to a very appreciative crowd.
Split Whiskers were the next for me to see, my first time of seeing them and I was quite impressed, playing some originals but mainly covers driven set. Chantel McGregor was the headliner and she was superb, a great girl with great family backing with her. Playing songs from her just about to be released cd 'Like No Other' and covers she wowed the now more vocal crowd. A great day out indeed and some of these acts are at the main CRF event in August, I will hopefully get there for a day or two.
18th was once again in the company of Chantel this time at Boom Boom Club Sutton, a very different set from Springfest, moving with ease from electric to acoustic and playing most of the new cd, a packed house enjoyed the cd launch in Surrey.
24th was the start of four dates on the road with Paul Rodgers and support Down N Outz. Bournemouth BIC is the venue on a hot day, me and my mate Doug bumped into Paul's wife Cynthia for lengthy chat about the tour and future projects, the gig itself was good, the band and Paul never sounding so good. The Down N Outz fronted by Joe Elliott were very good indeed.
25th found us in Southend on the hottest day of the year, had a brief chat with Joe Elliott and Paul and the band. This was the only standing venue on the tour I believe, and did it pay off. A briiliant gig, terrific atmosphere and crowd singing. The best gig on my mini tour by a mile.
27th was a trip to the Royal Albert Hall, another highlight. Outside the venue I managed to catch up with Mick Ralphs who is a real gent and all-round good bloke. The gig itself was excellant with guests onstage with Paul including Mick and Mica Paris.
28th was the final date of the tour for all concerned, the NIA at Birmingham was the venue for the filming of the show. A very strange choice indeed as it was all seating which lead to their being a poor atmosphere and it also being an arena style seating plan led to a sparsityin crowd participation. Another thing that really grinds my gears is the venue security who think its fun to bully people about who try to get to the front to make it a better
experience, the tickets are not cheap and I personally thought it was very poor indeed. Not a great ending to the tour I couldnt wait to get home to be honest. Thank goodness for Southend and RAH gigs.
Luckily for me another local gig on the 3rd, was at the classy High Barn complex in Gt Bardfield, Essex to see the wonderful Sandi Thom Band play a stunning set mainly from her superb cd Merchant & Thieves. It was good to catch up with the band again, don't miss her on this tour she and the band are on great form.
Due to illness I was forced to miss a couple of gigs that I was really looking forward to, Voodoo Six and Marcus Bonfanti/Paddy Milner, giving me time to make some notes on cd reviews and some gigs I have been to recently.
7th was an event I was really looking forward to , A Tribute To Muddy Waters at the Jazz Cafe in Camden London, 24 Pesos played a set then provided the backing for guests including Jojo Burgess (Hokie Joint), Bex Marshall and Ian Siegal. Terrific entertainment for a very well attended gig I am happy to say.
8th was a trip to BATF in the afternoon to see the wonderful Hokie Joint play a blinder to a packed out venue on a gloriously sunny day, playing old songs and a few from the forthcoming 'The Music Starts To Play' cd.
14th saw me make a first visit to Jagz in Ascot to see the Clare Free Band, Clare started off proceedings with a set of acoustic covers, then later she returned with her fine band to play songs from her cd and ep. A good night was had by those lucky enough to be there.
16th saw me at the CRF Springfest - Haddenham Beer Festival, this was a great weekend event , but I was only attending the Saturday. Luckily the weather proved favourable for the marquee bar serving up all sorts of alcoholic delights and the food wagon was doing a roaring trade. The music wasn't too bad either, I managed to see four of the acts on show today. Firstly was the very much improved Ben Poole Band, playing a few covers with a twist and their own material which I am glad to say made a few of us,who had seen Ben last year, nodding approvingly at the much appreciated improvement that comes with gigging, the band all great lads to have a chat with as well. Cherry Lee Mewis was on the list for me next to see. Cherry and her terrific band were quite simply awesome and I think my favourite band of the day, quality musicians and a knock-em dead vocalist. They played tracks mainly from the two cd releases and a couple of well chosen covers to a very appreciative crowd.
Split Whiskers were the next for me to see, my first time of seeing them and I was quite impressed, playing some originals but mainly covers driven set. Chantel McGregor was the headliner and she was superb, a great girl with great family backing with her. Playing songs from her just about to be released cd 'Like No Other' and covers she wowed the now more vocal crowd. A great day out indeed and some of these acts are at the main CRF event in August, I will hopefully get there for a day or two.
18th was once again in the company of Chantel this time at Boom Boom Club Sutton, a very different set from Springfest, moving with ease from electric to acoustic and playing most of the new cd, a packed house enjoyed the cd launch in Surrey.
24th was the start of four dates on the road with Paul Rodgers and support Down N Outz. Bournemouth BIC is the venue on a hot day, me and my mate Doug bumped into Paul's wife Cynthia for lengthy chat about the tour and future projects, the gig itself was good, the band and Paul never sounding so good. The Down N Outz fronted by Joe Elliott were very good indeed.
25th found us in Southend on the hottest day of the year, had a brief chat with Joe Elliott and Paul and the band. This was the only standing venue on the tour I believe, and did it pay off. A briiliant gig, terrific atmosphere and crowd singing. The best gig on my mini tour by a mile.
27th was a trip to the Royal Albert Hall, another highlight. Outside the venue I managed to catch up with Mick Ralphs who is a real gent and all-round good bloke. The gig itself was excellant with guests onstage with Paul including Mick and Mica Paris.
28th was the final date of the tour for all concerned, the NIA at Birmingham was the venue for the filming of the show. A very strange choice indeed as it was all seating which lead to their being a poor atmosphere and it also being an arena style seating plan led to a sparsityin crowd participation. Another thing that really grinds my gears is the venue security who think its fun to bully people about who try to get to the front to make it a better
experience, the tickets are not cheap and I personally thought it was very poor indeed. Not a great ending to the tour I couldnt wait to get home to be honest. Thank goodness for Southend and RAH gigs.
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