Blues on the Farm 2004

Archive

Hi to all you Blues Lovers.

Well it’s nearly Christmas Day again and that means we are only six months away from Blues on the Farm 2006.

We have had an exceptionally busy year with shows and sales of our Cider, Apple Juice, and Ginger Cordial have exceeded all expectations.

We are nearly back to normal production of all products following the devastating fire we experienced in August 2004. It is surprising how long it takes to replace 25 years collection of machinery, buildings and their contents but we are getting there despite some small minded locals who objected to our planning permission for a new tastefully designed production unit.

Following Ken and Annabelle Browns` departure to their new venture at “The Oaks Restaurant” , Walberton, Tel: 01243 552865, we have taken the “Cider House” back in hand and our chef Ricky is cooking up a storm with breakfast, lunches and teas in true English style. Opening hours 07.30hrs – 16.30hrs during the winter.

For bookings Telephone 01243 779345 . The Cider House is also available for private parties, wedding receptions and any other function which requires a country style atmosphere with plenty of parking and a friendly welcome. Watch this space for pictures and updates.

The website is being entirely re-vamped by Roy at Green Parrot Design and will soon feature some, if not all, of the artists who will be appearing at Blues 2006.

This being our 15th. Year…… (where did they all go ?) ..........we want to make it very special for all of you so here is a list of some of the bands already on the gig list for next year…… Marcus Malone, Popa Chubby, Sherman Robertson, The Gutter Brothers. All bands are subject to contract but I’m pretty sure none of them will give up a chance of performing for you down on the farm.

Well I guess that is about all for now except to wish you all a Peaceful and Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year and to thank you all for supporting Blues on the Farm because without you it would not happen.

Best Wishes,

Julian & Kathy Moores

The 13th Blues on the Farm was another very successful event held by Julian and Kathy Moores at Pumpbottom Farm, near Chichester. The weather could have been better but considering some of the weather of late, maybe the festival got off lightly.

Thursday evening commenced with Doug Jay & the Blue Jays from Florida, blending a roots 50's / 60's sound with a little more contemporary blues. Doug Jay sang and played harmonica with the confidence of a seasoned performer. The whole band played their part and this gave a good start to the festival even though the crowd was a little thin.

Next on stage was Errol Linton's Blues Vibe and I must confess to not seeing the performance as I had found a TV in the curry tent and I watched the second half of the England .v. Portugal game. In time more and more people gathered in the small tent, so I hope there was still some still watching Errol. In the distance I heard a mix of blues and reggae, a sound pretty unique to Errol Linton. I did hear someone saying after, that Errol Linton's Blues Vibe put in a superb performance. Unlike England or should I say unlike the referee.

The headline was something I've been wanting to see for some time. Band of Friends, a tribute to the late, great Rory Gallagher. More than a tribute as most in the band played with Rory Gallagher. It was more like The Rory Gallagher band without Rory, although there was some of him in Gwyn Ashton who played lead guitar and played some of Rory's licks close to true. His voice although not Rory's was a reasonable alternative and due to the famous musicians on stage it was easy to think of Rory being still alive, at least his music is alive. The band was made up of long serving bassman Gerry McAvoy and I guess he knew Rory better then anyone (except maybe Donal, Rory's brother and manager). On drums for most of the evening Brendan O'Neil although Ted McKenna made an appearance and played a few numbers. Lou Martin should have been present on keyboards, but he had a stroke recently and Ben Walters stepped in at last minute unrehearsed but he got through it. The last two musicians to grace the stage were those Nine Below Zero men, Denis Greaves and Rory's harmonica man Mark Feltham.

The band played many of Rory's live favourites including such greats as Messing with the Kid, Used To Be, Walk On Hot Coals, Moonchild and Tatoo'd Lady. Gerry spoke about Rory in between songs, so for the real fans this was a treat. They also played some older blues songs that Rory loved and Gwyn did a solo spot on the acoustic - Ledbelly's 'On the Western Plain'. Towards the end the two drummers played together, which surprisingly worked well, with each complimenting the other. Other highlights included Sonny Boy Williamson's 'Don't You Start Me Talkin' and 'A Million Miles Away'. A great set and nearest anyone can now get to Rory's music live.

Friday night opened with Tommy Allen's Traffiker who played a rocky blues set. The Hamsters followed and did the usual thing they do so well and are liked for. Lastly, US Mississippi Delta bluesman, Lil' Dave Thompson and his band played an entertaining set mixing the blues with a little soul and giving a real US flavour to the evening.

Saturday afternoon started with Amy Wadge and was followed by Ian Parker who is really showing some fine guitar work these days. He is bold and gets the crowd into his guitar lines, lapping up the solos and believing in the blues. The band went down a storm with the audience and rightly so.

Next came a surprise package in the form of Irish, Rab McCullough and his band. I'm told he is back on the blues scene after a long absence originally being active in the 60's & 70's. By the way Rab performs and plays, he's glad to be back. His guitar playing really gave you the feeling that he is the real McCoy. Not learned blues lines after being a rock guitarist but an originator and an old master. He writes good originals and plays the traditional blues numbers with an authentic touch. He really lit up the audience and I thought this was going to be really difficult after the reception Ian Parker got.

Rab McCullough is well respected in the States after four US tours and winning a trophy at 'The Blues Foundations International Blues Challenge' in Memphis. He concluded his set with a tribute to a great man he met back in the 60's in Belfast - Jimi Hendrix. Rab got a rousing reaction from the crowd with his version of Voodoo Chile and came back and played one of his old friends numbers - Rory's Gallagher's Bullfrog Blues. The band's drummer was spot on and tight, and Rab's rock solid bass player from the 60's played a Gibson EB3. No one plays them anymore and I'm told it's the same bass as when they played together all those year's ago. I've got one of those basses and they're great although these days not many bass players would agree. On the keyboards was a brilliant young player called McCullough but I'm told no relation. One of the highlights of the festival for me and I'm sure for many of the crowd.

Geoff Achison & The Soul Diggers were up next and played a more reserved but none the less well worked set. Not frantic and in yer face but almost thoughtful and well polished. Geoff is a talented guitarist and was ably supported by the dependable Sam Kelly on drums and Dave Clarke on bass. A fine rhythm section who also got the opportunity of showing their musical ability with stunning solos.

What a day of blues music and into the night with Connie Lush and Blues Shouter. Good all round performance by all band members and Connie's no nonsense attitude was loved by the crowd. If you like women singing the blues she is probably one of the best in the UK, although might not be to everyone's liking.

Final performance was from Studebaker John & The Hawks from Chicago. He is an original, although not the best guitarist or harp player I've ever seen. The band's bass player used an upright bass which suited the walking bass lines and surprisingly even the more rocky blues material. The bass player and drummer worked well together and were very professional but for me Studebaker John & The Hawks lacked excitement but the band was well received, so what do I know?

On to Sunday and John Crampton played his own style of acoustic blues with Dylanesque type harmonica. Emily Druce and Steve Jones played a very laid back competent set. The Wildcards were late, held up by a break down - vehicle I presume. So the amazing Guy Davis stepped in to an earlier spot. He is a truely, wonderful blues guy. His acoustic playing is a treat to any acoustic blues fan. His story's in between songs are interesting and witty. Many of the songs were his own and emulates the true US blues roots music. He has a natural, calm, entertaining manner few solo performers can match. The audience just loved him.

The Wildcards eventually turned up and played their rip roaring mix of trad blues and jump jive just occasionally coming out of their skins for a little more rocky blues.

Antione Forcione was introduced as an amazing guitarist having won many awards across Europe with his blend of jazz, Spanish, African, Brazilian, improvised mix. The quartet included an ethnic type percussion player, a female cello player and another guitarist. The music was not blues but maybe a refreshing change and Antione won the hearts of the crowd with an amazing guitar solo using all parts of the guitar to play percussion on, at the same time as playing lightning solos. I never seen anything like it before - just amazing. Now I know why the programme said 'Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar'. For the last number he played a little blues with a few tricks to delight the audience.

The final performance for 2004 was by the renowned Eric Bibb with his band. A fine performer of the blues and ballads. He had Guy Davis come up and join him on a couple of numbers which was appreciated by the crowd. These chaps are old friends and their mutual admiration for each other showed. A suitable end to a wonderful festival and all I can say is I'll be there in 2005 to sample once again the great music, the curry, the hamburgers, the Morocan dishes, the beer and the lovely cider. If the above doesn't make sense you can blame the cider.