More on the new site

All of the domain nonsense is now resolved and the new permanent address for bluesinthenorthwest.com is

http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com

Thanks
Ken

New Website is LIVE!

Hello,

I am pleased to announce that the all new bluesinthenorthwest.com website is now live. Please point your browsers to the new site as this blog will no longer be updated.

http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com

The new site will continue to present the same old stuff that you have been complaining about for the last year but will have some additional stuff.

One of the enhancements is that I will be delivering is a database on northwest blues bands and blues venues. So all you bands and venues out there prepare to send me your details.

Thanks for all the support in the last year - long may the blues scene thrive in this region. See you all at the new site.

Gig : After Hours - Dickie Doodles - 02 Sep

A late gig addition for the upcoming weekend for After Hours at Dickie Doodles, Kendal on 02 Sept.

They also play at The Talbot, Burnley on 30 Sept.

Gig list for September

02-Sep - KylaBrox - LH Studio Grand Theatre, Blackpool
02-Sep - Last Chance - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
02-Sep - The Badge - Bowering Park Hotel, Liverpool
03-Sep - Radio KFK - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
03-Sep - The Badge - O'Connor's Bar, Ormskirk
06-Sep - Smokehouse Blues - The Welcome, Whitfield
08-Sep - Eddie and Frank Thomas - Worthenbury
08-Sep - Hitman Blues Band - Warrington Blues Club
08-Sep - Olly Allcock - John Paul Jones, Whitehaven
09-Sep - Slingshot - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
10-Sep - Hitman Blues Band - Navy Club, Maryport
10-Sep - Olly Allcock - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
14-Sep - F and E Thomas - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
15-Sep - Appleby Beer and Blues Festival
15-Sep - The Groovecats - John Paul Jones, Whitehaven
16-Sep - Appleby Beer and Blues Festival
16-Sep - Smokehouse Blues - The Talbot, Burnley
16-Sep - Trafficker - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
17-Sep - Appleby Beer and Blues Festival
17-Sep - Baudelaire Bros - Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
21-Sep - Wabash Cannonballs - Fletcher Cockermouth
22-Sep - Joe Bonnamassa - Manchester Academy
22-Sep - Les Wilson and Mighty Houserockers - Hookers
22-Sep - Wabash Cannonballs - John Paul Jones Whitehvn
23-Sep - Under Influence - Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
24-Sep - Joe Bonnamassa - Boardwalk, Sheffield
24-Sep - No Time for Jive -Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
28-Sep - Ana Popovic - Alexander's, Chester
28-Sep - Sam Kelly - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
29-Sep - Nimmo Bros - Thornton Lttle Thtre - Cleveleys
29-Sep - Sam Kelly's Primo - Warrington Blues Club
30-Sep - Revelator Band - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
30-Sep - Sherman Robertson - Southport Arts Centre

Gig : Frank & Eddie Thomas - Worthenbury - 08 Sep

Angels On The Backroads - the history of Highway 61

Brothers Eddie and Frank Thomas from Iuka, Mississippi make a welcome return to Worthenbury on Friday September 8th as part of their latest UK tour following their last sell out tour in April 2005.

Professional film maker Frank, who has worked in Hollywood will present a film of Highway 61 the legendary music highway from Memphis to New Orleans encompassing all of the sites, scenes and sounds that made this highway the most famous music trail in the world whilst Eddie a most accomplished multi instrumentalist adds the narration in an amusing and informative style whilst playing the songs of the legendary blues and jazz men like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson.

Tickets for this unique evening cost £10 and can be reserved by ringing 01948 770215 (eves)

Cancellation : Kyla Brox - Harbourside Club, Liverpool

Lionel writes with sad news of a cancellation and other Harbourside Club news......

Unfortunately, the Kyla Brox gig due for 13th September at the Harbourside Club has been cancelled. The next gig will welcome Phil Bates (ex ELO PartII) on Wednesday, 25th October. Phil performs a brilliant acoustic set. I'll send you more details nearer the time of the gig. Following that, Kevin Thorpe's Out Of The Blue will be appearing on Wednesday, 6th December. Many of you will remember that cracking band from a few years back. Kevin has recently reformed it with all the old favourites on board. Next year will see Doug McLeod (USA), Geoff Achison (Australia) and the return of Little Toby Walker (USA).

NEW WEBPAGE COMING SOON

I'm really busy with the launch of the all new bluesinthenorthwest.com website right now. It will be here soon and will have all the stuff that you currently get with the blog but with some advanced features.

WATCH THIS SPACE

News from the King Bz

The King Bz write in to tell us......

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Chantelle McGregor into the King Bz, an absolutly outstanding player who has played for amoung others Bonnie Rait, Joe Bonnamassa and many many more, Her Bio will soon be on the Web-site in the next couple of weeks so just keep checkin www.kingbz.co.uk for any updates.

We would also like to wish Tony Carter (TC) all the very best for the future "keep on blowing dude"

So on to next year, soon we hope to be in the studio to record our first album of original material, with also a tour of Europe planned and possibly the US its looking like the King Bz are about to fly again we will keep you posted.

New UK Blues Podcast

JimmyC emails to announce the launching of his brand new Podcast, Jimmy says....

Hambone's Blues Rumshack will concentrate on playing and promoting British Blues bands and internet sites for bands like Podshow, Garageband and MySpace.

Episode one featured tracks from Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Cephas and Wiggins, MG James, Dave Arcari, Lazy Poker and Shetland's very own and the program house band the Rumshack Blues band.

I'm looking for bands to get in touch if they want to be played by supplying CD's of their music, so if you could give me a mention on your blog and pass the word around of the podcasts existence I would very much appreciate it.

The link is at http://www.shetlandpodcaster.co.uk

Tribute to Sam Myers on Jonesy's Blues Show

I was lucky enough to catch Jonesy's blues show tonight, it was very good indeed. If you didn't get the chance to catch the show, he did a great tribute to the recently departed Sam Myers including the copper bottomed classic "Sleeping in the ground", there was also an excellent session by Mary Flower; you can listen again to the show by clicking here.

Question: What got you into the Blues?

I am quite disappointed by the lack of responses to my post of a couple of weeks ago. Come on! I know you all want to tell your stories. Email me now!

Today's YouTube is Lester Butler and Alex Schultz

I always loved the Red Devils and I always loved Alex Schultz (in fact Alex is on many of my favourite recordings of all time). So when these gentlemen got together to make the "13" album in 1997, I was delighted.

I am equally delighted to present a YouTube film of one of the band's rehearsals in Europe. Schultz is amazing...... and I think that the drummist is the legendary Eddie "Lips" Clark.

Gigs for the rest of August

24-Aug - Boogie' Bill Roberts - The Red Cat, Wheelton
25-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
25-Aug - The Badge - The Hanover Hotel, Liverpool
25-Aug - The Stumble - Barrow R & B Club,
26-Aug - Cat Dog - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow
26-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
26-Aug - John O Leary - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
26-Aug - Slingshot - The Musketeer, Leigh
26-Aug - The Badge - The Stag Inn, Orrell
27-Aug - Ben Ruth - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
27-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
27-Aug - Lightnin Willie - Maryport Navy Club
27-Aug - The Works - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow.
28-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
31-Aug - The Badge - The Red Cat, Wheelton

Gig : Paul Rogers at The Lowry, Salford Quays

John Welsh tells me that Paul Rogers is playing a gig at Salford Quays on 08 October.

Take a look at the Paul Rogers website for a bit more information.

Review : Shana Morrison in Cockermouth

shana2

Here's the review. Sounds like it was a great night.

I'm back

Hello everyone.

Try this bit of YouTube slide guitar for starters. I have never seen anything like this before.

Gig : Tonight Worthenbury

I can't make it as I'm still enjoying el sol y muchas cervezas in Valencia, however those still in Blighty can pop down to Worthenbury tonight to see Zach Parrish.

ZACH PARRISH & BRAD WHEELER
As part of their UK tour, American musicians Zach Parrish from Austin, Texas on guitar and Brad Wheeler from Ogden, Utah on harmonica will be appearing at Worthenbury Village Hall on Friday August 18th as guests of the "Goin' Up The Country Blues & Roots Club".

Playing a good mix of authentic Delta blues and American roots music, they
will be on stage at 9pm. Doors open at 8pm and the tickets cost £8.
Info line 01948 770 215

Greetings from Spain

Just a quick hello to let you know that I'm still alive - if a little browner.

New domain names

There's a new and improved way to get to this blog.

I have registered the following domain names and pointed them here. This is in preparation for a full blown website to be launched later this year.

Please update your bookmarks to
www.bluesinthenorthwest.com
or
www.bluesinthenorthwest.co.uk

Cheers
Ken

Righto - I'm off!

I'm taking a well deserved break. Back in two weeks or so.

Cheers
Ken

8th August

Just realised that today is 8th August. I always have a little celebration on this date every year as my last cigarette was on 8th August 1988 - 8/8/88. I have been an ex-smoker for 18 years.

Hello to all other ex-smokers.

Gig : Zach Parrish - Worthenbury Fri 18 Aug

This is my last chance to mention Zach Parrish and Brad Wheeler at Worthenbury on 18 Aug.

Zach Parrish is a guitarist from Austin, Texas who plays a mean slide and National Steel and is on his first UK tour accompanied by harp player Brad Wheeler from Ogden, Utah.

Downloads from Zach's website suggest a great gig so go on down to the country for a great night of blues for £8.

Blues Interviews

Two brand new interviews have been posted on the "Two for the Blues" shoe website from WORT FM 89.9 Madison, WI.

The new interviewees are Magic Slim and Jerry McCain. Check out the link to play online or download.

Today's video clip - Carey Bell

Carey Bell playing the Muddy Waters classis I'm Ready. With Debbie Davis on guitar.

My route to the Blues - JimmyC

You are a man after my own heart, I owe the same debt to John Peel, it was Elmore James for me. Also Tommy Vance played a lot of vintage sessions on the Friday Rock Show which got me into Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac.

Paul Jones was a Godsend when he started. My tapes of the sessions are up in the loft must get them out and digitize them sometime soon.

Got back into music when I got broadband a couple of years ago, listening to blues radio stations, downloading concerts.

[Note from Ken : I too have a load of cassettes from the early Paul Jones shows.]

My route to the Blues - Grahame Rhodes

As you know Rory Gallagher is my main-man and when still at school I acquired a second-hand Italian import of the seminal "Live in Europe" album (1972) - it didn't have the gatefold sleeve like the UK version. This was undoubtedly when my love of the blues started - from the amazing guitar on "Messin' With The Kid", to the acoustic picking on "Pistol Slapper Blues" and the mandolin-driven "Goin' To My Home Town". From hearing this stuff I suppose I went back and sought out the original sources of some of these songs.

Like you I have always loved The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and in about 1981/82 saw them support Rockpile at Liverpool University, on a bill that also included a solo Elvis Costello set as a warm-up for a tour - all for £2.50 if I remember right. The hordes that stayed in the bar for the T-Birds missed a treat!

Other early blues memories were seeing Muddy Waters support Eric Clapton at the Manchester Apollo - I remember the band delivering a couple of tremendous shuffles before the great man strolled on; also seeing in Manchester the very great Albert King at the tiny International Club. My pal Tony and I were in the club early and as we headed for the bar this imposing figure was seated at another bar puffing on a pipe - the legendary Albert himself! To round off a trio of famous Manchester gigs we also caught Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Apollo - a gig plagued by PA problems that was recorded by the BBC and later played on the Paul Jones Show - happy days indeed!

[Note from Ken : I too was at the SRV gig in Manchester years before I even met Grahame, in fact I was still living in Huddersfield]

August Gig List

09-Aug - Tantrum - The Edge, Poulton Le Fylde
10-Aug - Mark Townson - Red Cat, Wheelton.
10-Aug - Rudy Rotta - Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
10-Aug - The Badge - The Handsome Cab, Lytham.
11-Aug - Rudi Rotta Band - Barrow R & B Club
11-Aug - Tantrum - The Red Lion, Longton, Preston
11-Aug - The Convulsions12pm - Thornton Little Theatre
11-Aug - The Section - The Imperial, Morecambe
12-Aug - Tantrum - The Barge, Brighouse
12-Aug - The Badge - The Bradwell, Stoke On Trent
12-Aug - The Resolve - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
13-Aug - Errol Linton - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
13-Aug - Sean Webster Band - Maryport Navy Club
14-Aug - All Round Man - Zoo Bar, St. Helens
14-Aug - The Resolve - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
14-Aug - The Resolve - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
15-Aug - Nick Dow - The Brown Sugar Bar, St.Annes
17-Aug - Lightnin Willie - Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
17-Aug - Slingshot - The Red Cat, Wheelton
18-Aug - Derrin Naundorf - The Met, Bury
18-Aug - Stormwarning - Barrow R&B Club at The Duke
18-Aug - Tantrum - The Sun Dial, Low Bentham
18-Aug - The Badge - The Bowring Park Hotel, Liverpool
18-Aug - Van Morrison - Chester Live 06
18-Aug - Willie Logan - New Inn, Hoff
18-Aug - Zach Parrish and Brad Wheeler - Worthenbury
19-Aug - After Hours - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow
19-Aug - Alligator Joe - Black Bull, Brookhouse, Lanc.
19-Aug - Westlife (tee hee) - Chester Live 06
20-Aug - Society's Child - Fletcher Christ Cockermouth
20-Aug - Storm - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow
20-Aug - Stormwarning - Navy Club, Maryport
24-Aug - Boogie' Bill Roberts - The Red Cat, Wheelton
25-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
25-Aug - The Badge - The Hanover Hotel, Liverpool
25-Aug - The Stumble - Barrow R & B Club,
26-Aug - Cat Dog - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow
26-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
26-Aug - John O Leary - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
26-Aug - Slingshot - The Musketeer, Leigh
26-Aug - The Badge - The Stag Inn, Orrell
27-Aug - Ben Ruth - Fletcher Christ. Cockermouth
27-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
27-Aug - Lightnin Willie - Maryport Navy Club
27-Aug - The Works - Duke Of Edinburgh, Barrow.
28-Aug - Colne Blues Festival
31-Aug - The Badge - The Red Cat, Wheelton

Question? What got you into the Blues?

Shortly my posts will dry up for a week or two as I am about to take my summer holidays. I would like to ask you this simple question - what was the first thing that you can recall that got you into the blues? I know that we are all different and I suspect that our routes to being here are very different, I also suspect that one's age is a big influence on one's route to the blues. So either let me have your stories by emailing them to me or leave comments to this post in blogger. I'll kick things off with my tale.......

I'm 43. My first memories of liking blues go back to the late 1970s. I remember liking a few pieces of music that I later realised were blues based. Firsty Dr. Feelgood had a few hits around that time, I remember "Milk and Alcohol" very well; secondly I was a bit of a punk (well it was the late 70s) and I often listened to John Peel. At the time Peely was playing tunes by George Thorogood.

As my tastes developed I began to love rock music (again late 70s early 80s) and it was searching for guitar solos that led me to the Brit blues boom of the 60s. The first music that I understood to be blues was probably the John Mayall tunes with Eric Clapton. I began to search out blues records and a highlight years later was finding a couple of the early Fabulous Thunderbirds LPs in the music section of the Huddersfield Library.

The Radio 2 blues show with Paul Jones started in the mid 80s I think; this was perfect timing for me. He played it all (still does actually) and I listened religiously. He played the first harmonica blues that I remember hearing; I was fascinated by the sound and bought my first harmonica soon after. All the harmonica blues that he played were influential to me but Idid take a liking to the West Coast guys (like many other harp players). James Harman and William Clarke are still great loves of mine. The first great harmonica player I saw live was Paul Lamb in the Band on the Wall in Manchester.

OK, that's me! Over to you. I'll post the best stories.
Cheers

Today's YouTube is Stevie Wonder

From Sesame Street of all things playing Superstition. This is sooooo good.
Stevie Wonder being funky always makes me smile.

Floyd Dixon passes

It's not been a good month for blues people. I just realised that I forgot to post that Floyd Dixon passed away at the end of last month. I paste below the article from the excellent Blueswax email newsletter.

West Coast Jump Blues and R&B pianist, vocalist, and songwriter Floyd Dixon died on July 26 in Los Angeles, California, of kidney failure. He was 77. He was one of the artists, along with Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, Amos Milburn, Ray Charles, and Louis Jordan, who influenced the transition of the music of the Swing Era into Rhythm & Blues.

Dixon was born in Marshall, Texas in 1929, and the family moved to L.A. when he was 13. A self-taught pianist, he began with a smooth piano style in the Charles Brown mode, but soon developed a more rocking, jumping style. Bandleader Johnny Otis encouraged him to record while still working a day job in a drug store. He sang and played in the band of bassist Eddie Williams on Supreme in 1947, then recorded for Modern in 1948 and had a top ten Billboard R&B hit with "Dallas Blues" in early 1949 (whereupon a Williams record with Dixon, "Broken Hearted," made the chart later that year). Another Dixon hit that year on Modern was "Mississippi Blues", and he switched to Peacock in Houston for "Sad Journey Blues" (also released on Aladdin), and to Aladdin for "Telephone Blues" (with Johnny Moore's Three Blazers) and "Call Operator 210" (also released on Imperial) in 1950-2.

His "Hey Bartender" in 1954 for the Cat label (a subsidiary of Atlantic) did not make the chart, but eventually became his signature tune. He also recorded for Specialty and other labels. By that time Dixon was an established star on the West Coast, and he was one of those who encouraged Ray Charles to switch from his suave Nat “King” Cole style to a more Gospel-inspired delivery.

Dixon’s career cooled off, and he nearly dropped out of music altogether, living in Paris, Texas. Then he was invited to perform in Sweden, and found an international following. In 1980, he joined the European Blues Caravan tour with old friends Charles Brown and Ruth Brown. He toured in the U.S. with then-unknown Robert Cray, as well as Little Charlie & The Nightcats. In 1984 he received a Billboard Blues Award for "Hey Bartender" when it was covered by the Blues Brothers, and a Billboard Country Award the following year, when it was recorded by Johnny Lee.

In 1993 Dixon received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Career Achievement Award. The album Wake Up And Live! on Alligator won the 1997 Handy Award from The Blues Foundation for "Comeback Album of the Year." Another CD, Fine, Fine Thing, came out on HighJohn in 2005, and in June this year, Dixon recorded a live CD/DVD with pianists Pinetop Perkins and Henry Gray, to be released on HighJohn.

Bonus YouTube clip

Phrasing and tone is what blues harminica is all about. Walter Horton had heaps of both. This clip of Horton with Ronnie Earl must have been recorded about the same time as one of my favourite Horton records "Little Boy Blue".

As a bonus here's La Cucaracha from the same session.

Magic!

Today's YouTube is Albert King

I'll play the blues for you by Albert King with a very long haired Hollywood Fats on rhythm guitar. Shame the interviews cut in to spoil the music.

Arthur Lee passes

Again not blues but very influential. Check out the link.

Not blues but Deep Purple

I know that many of us came to blues through rock music (I certainly did). So how many of you Deep Purple fans like this mash up of Deep Purple and The Beastie Boys?

It works for me.

UK Weather

Well our heatwave seems to have deserted us for now. It's damp and overcast here in Chester this morning. However I think back to those complainers a couple of weeks ago and, to be honest, reading this entry (and the link to the story from the entry) we don't have it that tough here in little old UK.

I was in Dallas in 1998 and even in October the temp was in the high 20s and early 30s (or into the 80s for those older than I).

I love Chuck's reference to the valve amp.

New William Clarke CDs released

Available here on eBay from Bill's wife Jeannette, via Jeannette's daughter.

Orlando Shearer with The Cadillac Kings

Orlando Shearer with The Cadillac Kings

The ace bass player Orlando Shearer has left The Cadillac Kings. He's done a great job for the last four years. I wish him very well.

I am assured by the band that they will not be turning up next time with a bad-haired guy with a shiny red, five (or six) string electric bass, strung up high under his armpit, thumb slapping through a rack processed 1000W transistor amp.

Kyla Brox Cancelled

The Liverpool gig on 13 Sept has been cancelled.

Ronnie Earl on YouTube

Doing his whisper to a crescendo thing on German TV.

I always liked Ronnie Earl, a bit fiddly in places, but he plays with real passion, fire and intensity when he builds the tune. Great tone and an absolutely killer band. Too many British bands play a slow blues in a very flat way. This is nothing like flat. Enjoy!

If you get bored with the twiddly, move forward to three minutes in to hear the lovely Hammond or to five minutes in to hear the amazing build.

Photos from Maryport

I stumbled (geddit?) across these Maryport pictures while surfing on Flickr. Don't worry they are not mine.

Review : Bill Sheffield Worthenbury - Friday 28th July 2006

Bill Sheffield at Worthenbury Village Hall, Friday 28th July 2006

This appearance of Bill Sheffield formed part of the very popular Going Up The Country series of acoustic blues gigs held at the village hall in Worthenbury near Wrexham. On this occasion, the man from Atlanta Georgia was admirably backed by fellow Atlantan Paul Linden on harmonica and Dave Saunders of The Producers fame on acoustic bass guitar.

To open the show, a couple of medium-paced shuffles were mingled with some brilliant Piedmont-style finger-picking on “Cherry Blossom Time” and Blind Willie McTell’s “Georgia Rag”. The excellent ballad, “13 Hours On The Highway”, was followed by “Back In My Baby’s Arms”, with some fine, lyrical harp playing from Paul Linden. The nicely varied set also included splendid versions of Tom Waitt’s “An Invitation ToThe Blues”, Duane Allman’s “Little Martha” and John Brim’s “Ice Cream Man”.

Bill Sheffield’s finger-picking style is heavily influenced by Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Blake and his slide technique by Blind Willie Johnson. Blake’s inspiration was showcased in a great delivery of “Diddy Wah Diddy”, which boasted extra helpings of wonderful finger-picking and excellent harp work from Linden. There was also a tremendous, rousing performance of “House of the Rising Sun” that gave full vent to Sheffield’s impressively powerful vocals. His beautifully controlled slide technique was at its best on “Hey, Romeo” and “All My Love’s In Vain” before the upbeat rocker, “Keep It Clean”, provided a lively finale to a terrific show.

Dave Saunders was, as always, highly effective, providing impeccable bass lines throughout the evening, while the richly talented Paul Linden’s contribution was fundamental to the success of the occasion. As an added bonus, the regular core of the consistently large audience was enhanced by the presence of young Amelia Lloyd, who, accompanied by her father, Adrian, was attending her first-ever blues gig. At eight-years of age, she can surely claim to be Bill Sheffield’s youngest fan. Who said the future of the blues is in danger?


Lionel Ross

Jesse Mae Hamphill passes

Age 71.
http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=APStory&Id=11498

Today's YouTube is Sonny Boy Williamson - one of the all time greats

Clearly recorded in the '60s but I have no idea who the band are or indeed where it was recorded. A great clip though, what a great laid back vocal performance and killer harp tone.

Click here to enjoy Sonny Boy Williamson doing Your Funeral and My Trial.

Today's YouTube is Popa Chubby funking it up.

This should please the rocky guitar lovers who saw Popa Chubby recently. He's a big guy, I should go out on the pull with him; he'd make me look slender.

Not exactly my blues bag but here is the clip. Enjoy!

Thanks to Grahame for the link.

Rudy Rotta : Appleby 5th Aug

rudy2

Saturday 5th August 2006 on stage at 830pm.

Rudy has played with B.B King recently in Italy, appeared with John Mayall and Carey Bell, and recorded with Jack Bruce and Brian Auger.

He has played the Great British Festival in Colne and is now coming back to the UK for a short tour, which will include a support role in Perth to the Jeff Healey Band and dates in Inverness, Aberdeen, Wolverhampton and Oxford.

Don't miss this one.

Book your tickets now at Ticketweb or ring Dez on 01768 351317 they are £9.00 in advance.

There are plenty of good B+B in Appleby why not make a weekend of it??

Can you help Errol Linton?

Three Time British Blues Connections best harmonica player Errol Linton and his Band are heading for the Tartan Heart Festival in The Highlands and have two dates to fill Wed 9th and Thursday 10th August, any offers considered, as long as there is PA and accommodation available.

Grahame wins the free pint

As offered in this post earlier today.

The harp player was indeed the very excellent Mitch Kashmar, whose album last year, Nickels and Dimes, was one of my favourites.

Gig : Bill Sheffield - Worthenbury Fri 28th July

** RECOMMENDED**

I saw Bill Sheffield a few years ago when the Wrexham boys had him at the rugby club. Let me tell you I was mightily impressed, he's a great singer and a super showman. Unfortunately I can't go this time as I have a leaving do straight after work.

August Gig List

Or you could just use the northwest blues calendar.

27-Jul - Bob Cheevers - The Penny Bank, Lancaster
27-Jul - Denise Marie - Red Cat, Wheelton, Chorley
27-Jul - Tantrum - Fletcher Christ, Cockermouth
28-Jul - After Hours - Kings Arms, Clitheroe
28-Jul - Bill Sheffield and Paul Linden - Worthenbury
28-Jul - Bob Cheevers - New Inn Hoff
28-Jul - Funky Dory 8.Opm - Maryport Navy Club
28-Jul - Jeff Chapman's Roosters - Barrow R & B Club
28-Jul - Jeff Chapman'S Roosters - Barrow R & B Club
28-Jul - The King Bz - John Paul Jones, Whitehaven
29-Jul - Acoustic Festival - Dorford Hall, Nantwich
29-Jul - Buzzard - Fletcher Christ, Cockermouth
29-Jul - The Badge 1pm - Bickerstaffe Music Festival
29-Jul - The Badge - 9.0pm - Tapps Wine Bar, Formby