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Ashwyn Smyth's News

www.digitalblues.co.uk

 

Newsletter 15/09/2007

 

Welcome to what will be the last New Crawdaddy Blues Club Newsletter for a few weeks as I am off on my hols until 6th October. So a lot to include in this edition!

First of all this Thursday just gone, although a bit thinly attended, was another excellent one as we welcomed back Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’, a smashing band which is comprised of five musicians with a wealth of experience and talent and a set list that has to be one of the most varied you will find – in just the first half dozen or so numbers we were treated to a smashing instrumental jam with distinct Latin tendencies, two great Ray Charles songs, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s ’16 Tons’, and classics from Fats Domino and Willie Dixon! As ever, frontman, vocalist, harp player and percussionist, John Smythe, kept things rolling stood behind an array of microphones, drums and other percussion impedimenta whilst around him, four superbly tight musicians played up a storm. Chris Pearson showed his skill and talent with a selection of guitars and joined in on backing vocals, Gary Howard demonstrated his breadth of ability ranging from jazz to Latin to boogie to blues and even got his keyboard sounding like a vibraphone at one stage. He also joined in on backing vocals. The wonderful rhythm section composed of long terms friends, the stunningly talented Ray Marquis on drums and the excellent Bernie Brewster on bass and backing vocals provided such a solid base for their fellow band members and as an ensemble they clearly were having a ball and really enjoying themselves. This is a band that does not gig more than once or twice a month so if you get a chance to catch them, do. You will not be disappointed and will come a way with a very warm glow of pleasure!
And so to the forthcoming weeks. This coming Thursday 920th) we welcome the award winning Rockin’ Armadillos, arguably one of Essex’ top bands. With their two vocalist line-up featuring the glorious voice and risqué badinage of Jane English and the harmonica playing, slide guitar slinging bundle of energy that is Mr Tim Aves, you just know that you are going to have a great time with the Armadillos around. Add the guitar skills of Alex Hall and the top rhythm section of Rob ‘Mr Cool’ Barry on bass and Paul ‘Laid Back’ Lester on drums plus a great selection of original material and cracking covers and you have a sure-fire recipe for a good time. So get on down this Thursday and party.
The 27th sees Club favourites Grapevine Blues paying one of their regular visits. Singer and harp player Mike Chase is blessed with an amazingly smoky voice so suited to the material the band plays and what a band of musicians he has around him. Ivan Hoe, back with the band on drums, Dave Troy on bass, another great rhythm section and when Dave lets rip a bass break, boy! On sax is the divine Caz Devine, watch out for when she uses Dr Ika provided special effects to double track her sax etc. mind-blowing or what? And, of course, the aforementioned guitar wizard, Dr Ika who wrings out of his guitar notes that you probably never knew existed!”
October is a stunning month for great gigs and kicks off with an Essex band who rarely play in the county such is their popularity. The Cadillac Kings have, quite rightly, been described as ‘the UK’s finest purveyors of blues & swing’ – Blues Matters! and ‘These guys swing like they were born in the trees!’ - Judge Jones, Blues Freepress, ‘If you do not tap your feet, at least, you must be dead.’ – Barry Middleton, The Running Horse. I think you get the picture! This is a gig I am gutted to be missing because the Caddies are one of my favourite bands and have been great friends to Digital Blues. To have them back at the Crawdaddy, a venue they used to play regularly in their early days, after so long is a great thought and you really will kick yourself if you do not get down to the Club to catch them.
The month continues with class gig after class gig as the superb Ian Parker pays us a visit on the 11th, followed by the first appearance at the Club by Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation who is touring celebrating his 60th birthday and his new CD. The month is rounded off with a visit from the Incredible Blues Puppies which includes our friends from the Barcodes, Dino Coccia and Alan Glen.
 

Newsletter 8/09/2007

Another superb evening at the New Crawdaddy as we kicked off September is storming style with a debut visit from the Martin Harley Band. Martin made his solo debut at the Festival of Blues which was organised by the Club late last year but we were fortunate this time to have martin & his band. What a treat! Martin is a superb guitarist whether playing a straight acoustic or playing an acoustic guitar laid across his lap using a slide and he produces some superb sound and tone. It was well nigh beyond belief when he played a stunning version of the Hendrix smash, ‘Voodoo Chile’ to close his set and produced a sound that, had I not been able to see what he was playing, I would have sworn that he had a Strat on stage. However, the bulk of Martin’s set was much less ‘in your face’ and featured some of the songs from his most recent highly acclaimed CD, including the title track, ‘Money Don’t Matter’ and the gorgeous ‘Carnival Girl’. Blues diehards were treated to great versions of standards such as ‘Crossroads’. There were slide feasts such as the wonderfully moody ‘This Ocean’ demonstrating Martin’s mastery of the style and superb ability to create a musical atmosphere that transfixes his audience. Martin is a truly individual talent and deserves to be far better known than he is, he has a great stage presence and links his songs with amusing anecdotes which give them context and an insight into his varied life.
With him were two wonderful musicians, the imposing Graeme Ross on stand-up bass who delighted the audience with a couple of great solos as well as providing bvs and a solid foundation for Martin and drummer Pete Swatton, sitting behind a very stripped down drum kit but providing superb rhythm and varied playing as well as bvs . Just as a member of the Club audience said to me, ‘all we need now is drum solo on two drums’, Pete obliged and broke into a lovely solo!!! I am sure Martin & his band will be invited back and when they are do not miss an opportunity to catch one of the most underrated and exciting acts around, immediately after the Crawdaddy gig, they were off to play three days at the Bestival on the Isle of Wight, one of the foremost UK music festivals. Thank you Martin for a very special evening!
This coming Thursday we welcome back a band who made their debut at last year’s Festival of Blues. Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’ is a five piece comprised of some very talented and very experienced local musicians familiar to many if us from their work with previous outfits. The rhythm section features the amazingly versatile & talented Ray Marquis on drums and his long time mucker Bernie Brewster on bass. On keyboards is Gary Howard, at one time a member, along with Ray & Bernie, of the Cadillac Kings but subsequently he has worked with a number of outfits including Otis Grand, On guitar is our good friend Chris Pearson, formerly of Deja Blue, sometime member of Martin McNeill’s Bottleneck Blues Band and dep for the Cadillac Kings. On vocals and harmonica is John Smythe who also acts as master of ceremonies and band spokesman! Together, this is an excellent outfit playing a wonderfully varied set which is almost certain to contain some surprises in amongst traditional and well known blues standards.
Next week, the 20th sees a return visit by the excellent Rockin’ Armadillos with Tim Aves and Jane English on vocals, the highly proficient and popular rhythm section of Rob Barry and Paul Lester plus the guitar wizardry of Alex Hall. September is rounded off with a return visit by favourites, Grapevine Blues featuring the guitar genius that is Dr Ika.
So an excellent month in store with great line-ups for October & November too. All at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club, live Blues at their best.

Regards

ASHWYN
 

 

July 31st

 

Another month almost gone and how better to round July off than with two top local acts. First up was Martin McNeill who was on tip top form performing a wonderful variety of material including a great song, ‘Katrina’ by Swede Anders Osborne who travelled the world playing and singing before spending many years in New Orleans. Martin drew the most apposite comparison between the devastation of New Orleans and the disaster that had hit Gloucestershire barely a week earlier. Martin was on excellent form and delighted the audience with his fine guitar picking and varied choice of songs.
Headliners were the excellent Groove Doctors, great favourites at the Club. These guys are so full of energy and passion that it is exhausting just watching and listening to them! They were firing on all cylinders with a dash of nitro added such was the pace of their set with two three or more songs running into each other without a pause for breath. Tim Ainslie on guitar gave his all ending the evening as shiny as his stage suit! Great guitar playing from a man who I believe is seriously underrated. Luke Arnold on vocals and harmonica was, as ever, passionate and imbued the bands numbers with great emotion and depth. The rhythm section of Fergie Fullerton on bass and John Butters on drums were, as ever, rock solid creating a perfect platform. The set list was something of a nostalgic journey as we were treated to a number of songs from the band’s history, including the very first song they ever performed as the Groove Doctors and the first they performed with their “new” guitarist, Tim Ainslie! This was a wonderful set from a really top class band who were clearly having a ball! Thanks guys, that was a real tonic, just what the Doctor ordered!
This Thursday sees a welcome return by the Essex troubadour and Club regular, Roy Mette. Here is a man whose career has spanned many years both as a solo artist and as part of various bands. Roy’s lat visit was in June when he was with Papa George & Roland Chadwick, all of whom were very well received. You never quite know what you are going to get with Roy as even he often does not know until he starts playing!! What you can be sure of is that you will hear some quality guitar playing, a great powerful voice and some highly original covers as well as some of Roy’s own great songs. Roy has a new CD, ‘Unplugged’, which is to be launched at Colne at the end of the month and is released on the Blues Matters! label. On the CD he is backed by the Heaters who are also appearing with him at Colne and so it is possible that we may be treated to an early airing of some of the CD’s material. Whatever happens, you can be certain that this will be another cracking evening at the Club in a month when there are some really top gigs in store.
Thursday 9th August sees the us welcoming back one of the Club’s favourite bands as the superb Wildcards visit in between gigs in Finland & Belgium! This is a very individual outfit fronted by the superb Vince Lee who, for me, has shades of Ian Siegal about him with a great voice and some cool guitar. Alongside him is Martin Vowles on guitar & bvs, Al Wallis on bass & bvs and the unmistakable figure of Kevin Crowe on drums & bvs. They play: "An explosive mix of rockabilly, swing & jump and some very inspired rock ‘n roll!" and they play it superbly. They are in the throes of recording a new CD and we may well hear a sneak preview or two!
August 16th sees the first appearance at the Club by Lightnin’ Willie & the Poorboys featuring LA resident Texan Willie and a cracking band which includes Giles King on harp and Fergie Fullerton on bass. Thursday 23rd sees something a bit different as we welcome the UK’s top skiffle band, the Lonnigans, to the Club. With our good friend Eddie Armer on harmonica, mandolin and sharing vocals, this band is made up of some very well known and respected names and is really excellent. I saw them a few months ago and was blown away. This will be a humdinger of a night!
We round the month off with a visit by Richard Dobney’s Blues Engine, an excellent local band featuring the great voice and songwriting of Richard and the keyboards of Ray Bartrip.
So a superb month in store, I think you will agree.
May I also remind you that Chicago Red who guested at the Club a couple of weeks ago rounds off his debut UK tour at the SEAXE Bar at the Essex Arms, Warley Hill, Brentwood on Sunday 5th August. Those of you who heard him play just two songs at the Club will, I am sure, want to see & hear more & this is your opportunity.
 

 

July 13th 2007

 

A glorious laid back feel to the Club session last night with two excellent acoustic acts to entertain us. Opening were Los Tres Armadillos featuring the habitually horizontal (he’s so laid back!) Paul Lester on drums, the ever relaxed Rob Barry on bass and up front the unique Mr Tim Aves on vox, guitars and harmonica. Despite amp problems (which did not show from where I was Tim!) this great trio played a lovely mix of material ranging from Howling Wolf to Sonny Landreth, great stuff and tight in a wonderfully relaxed way, so much so that headliner Michael Roach applauded the trio’s set commending their “Great vibe!”
And so to the headliner, a man whose musical career has taken quite a few unexpected turns over recent years. Always considered by many, including himself, as essentially a solo or acoustic duo act, some years ago he teamed up with former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden and sang in front of a band for the first time. A stint singing with Big Joe Turner and with the house band on the 2003 ‘American Festival of Blues’ lead to the creation of the Michael Roach Band, an eight piece outfit which recorded an acclaimed CD, ‘Betcha!’ in 2005 which sees Michael heading off into a land of soul, r’n’b and funk!
However, last night was about Michael Roach the solo performer, a man whose mission is not just to play songs from the 20th century Blues lexicon, but to make them live again by adding a bit of audience education as well as not a few laughs. So we saw Michael up on his feet explaining how early field hollers segued into some of the classic country blues we know and love and at which Michael excels. He describes himself as a blues jukebox and admits to knowing in excess of 400 songs and had we had time, I think he would have played at least half of them! As it was, I had, with great regret, to call a halt as it was time to go! Michael’s enthusiasm and knowledge adds so much to his overall performance and had he been my teacher when I was at school I reckon I would have a PhD by now!!! Playing a 12 string, a National and an “ordinary” acoustic guitar, he rang the changes and it really was a joy & a pleasure to see him back at the Club. Hurry back Michael and I hope your return journey to Gloucester was not too tedious!
Next week (the 19th) we welcome back the Heaters who will be opening the proceedings again after a number of week’s absence before the headline act 3am take to the stage. Fronted by the glorious vocals of Helen Turner, the band will no doubt still be buzzing after playing GuilFest this weekend. Band members come from all over the UK and bring together many years experience as well as many influences which include the Rocky Horror Show, the Strawbs and the Wombles!. Much of the 3am set is devoted to songs by Stone the Crows, Janis Joplin and Vinegar Joe, as the band has a similar line-up to these bands and the songs are chosen to compliment Helen's voice which is often likened to Maggie Bell’s. The band’s keyboard player, Chris Parren, worked with Maggie Bell and brings authentic flavour to these tunes introducing less heard material to the set such as "Sweet Lovin' Woman" from the recently re-issued "Midnight Flyer" album. The band are also increasingly featuring their own material and the song ‘Sister Sunshine’ which was included on the Essex Delta Blues Vol ll A-Z CD has received considerable airplay.
The following week (26th) Martin McNeill, bottleneck guitar wizard will play support with East Anglia’s finest, the Groove Doctors headlining with their own powerful brand of rocking r’n’b.
August is a month when many venues are closed but not the Crawdaddy, in fact the programme is a very strong one with the one & only Roy Mette on the 2nd, The brilliant Wildcards on the 9th, a debut visit from the superb Lightnin’ Willie & the Poorboys on the 14th, top skiffle group, the Lonnigans with Eddie Armer on the 23rd and Richard Dobney’s Blues Engine rounding things off on the 30th.
A fantastic month in prospect so cancel your holidays, you will not want to miss any of these!!!!

July 1st 2007

 

Last Thursday saw the last gig at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club at which smoking was permitted and it was entirely appropriate that our visitors were, themselves, absolutely smoking! Southend based jump jive and swing blues band, the Zoltans, treated us to two great sets which even had some of the usually seated Crawdaddy audience on their feet dancing. The Zoltans are a very fine band of talented musicians with a wealth of experience and this shows in their performance with them clearly thoroughly enjoying themselves in a way in which only a closely connected band can. The powerhouse of any band sits at the back surrounded by a number of usually very shiny objects and with the very fine Zoltan Jason on drums plus birthday boy Zoltan Ian on bass and sporting, for part of the gig, a fake Teddy Boy quiff and surprised eyebrows (OK you had to be there!), the Zoltans had a rock steady rhythm section. The excellent brass section of Zoltan Kris on tenor sax, Zoltan Malcolm on alto sax and also vocals and Zoltana Karen on trumpet gives the band a driving force that is irresistible. We were fortunate that Zoltana Karen was able to play just before her departure on a tour of Eastern Europe and even more fortunate as she now sings a few numbers with the band. I think that there was not a male in the audience who was thinking as she sang “I Just Want To Make Love to You” who did not wish that she meant it!!! The band’s musical director is Zoltan Richard on keyboards & vocals and he seeks to keep his fellow musicians in order letting them know what number they are playing next by holding up cards with numbers on which look remarkably like those used in churches to advise the hymn numbers! Finally Zoltan Peter on vocals with a voice and delivery so suited to the material completes the line-up of a band that really is on top form at present. The sizeable audience at the Club on Thursday thoroughly enjoyed an excellent evening and out thanks go to the Zoltans for entertaining us so well.
This week we welcome the excellent Nigel Bagge Band who are great favourites at the Club. Although I do not, at present have full details of the band line-up I do know that the superb harmonica player, Eddie Armer will be with Nigel. On bass we may have Grant ‘Cheeky’ Tonbridge, on drums will either be Ed Spevock or Ed Collins and Paul Jobson might be on keys. What you can be absolutely certain of is that the evening will be superb with real quality musicianship from a first class band as well as the superbly smoky vocals and guitar of Nigel and the ethereal harmonica of Eddie. In support are the wonderful duo that is the Jives, with Geoff Chapman on guitar & vocals and Al E Bye on harmonica. A great evening in store.
Thursday the 12th sees a long overdue & very welcome return visit by Michael Roach, a very fine guitarist and singer who originally came from Washington DC but now lives in Gloucester. Michael sings and plays guitar in an East Coast style of blues that dates back to the 1920s. He is an exceptional performer who interacts with his audience and entertains as he plays, so much so that when he last played the Club we had to stop him or he would have gone on all night! This is an all too rare chance to catch Michael in the east of England and should not be missed.
On the 19th we welcome 3am back to the Club with the great vocals of Helen Turner and we round the month of with East Anglia’s finest, the Groove Doctors. So a great month in store at the New Crawdaddy. Hope to see you there!

 

 

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