2015

Review Date July 13-15, 2012 Review By David Knowles Location Cambridgeshire This was the first year that things had worked out right for me. I could finally go to the whole three days of this wonderful festival that is only a 20-minute walk from my home. One thing I did not bank on though was the British weather, as it had been raining since the start of June. As the festival weekend got closer I feared that it might well be cancelled, as others like it had already fallen by the wayside. However, massive credit to the organisers and a very big well-done to all involved as they never gave up and managed to defeat both the rain and the mud to put on the best Ely Folk Festival that I had been to. Friday evening, I made my way to the site and what I was faced with wasn’t what I was expecting. As I went through the gate the usual grass entrance was now a muddy, boggy, puddle-laden mess. The box office was situated along this path and I managed to get to it without getting too muddy, but that didn’t last very long, and I knew that wellington boots would have to be called upon for the rest of the weekend. 2011 BBC2 Horizon Award winner, Ewan McLennan was my first act of the festival and he put on a fine show. Next up was a trio by the name of Lady Maisery, comprised of Hanna James (vocals, accordion)-who delighted the wet crowd with a wonderful clog dance near the end of the set-Hazel Askew (vocals, harp, concertina)-who played such heavenly harp solos-and Rowan Rheingans (vocals, fiddle, banjo), who at one point took up a strange looking instrument that looked like a banjo with two music horns extending from it. It was in fact a ban-sitar and gave out a lovely sound, as was demonstrated on the tune, “Nottamun Fair”-the three brightening up the dull weather with some excellent musicianship and sweet harmonies. I thoroughly enjoyed this talented trio and for me the festival was now well and truly underway! It was then the turn of one of my favourite comics, Richard Digance. I hadn’t seen him in concert for quite a few years, so was really looking forward to his show at the festival. He set the tone straight away with the brilliant “Saga Lout” that had the whole audience singing along to the chorus. “Sod’s Law” kept the laughter going with many tongue-twisting lines, proving how good a guitarist he is with a wonderful blues guitar instrumental. A Richard Digance show wouldn’t be the same without him having a dig at someone or something and “Jobs” is a fantastic song, having a pop at would-be celebrities and talentless people who always seem to be in the news. I agreed with the ones he mentioned. “The Ballad Of Johnny Puller” is a young soldier’s perspective of the war and his involvement in the famous story of the football match between the British and German soldiers on Christmas Day in 1914. Richard also spoke about Leyton Orient Football Club who lost 3 players in the Battle of the Somme. Orient supporters have made pilgrimages to the Somme and on July 10, 2011 an O’s memorial was unveiled in the French village of Flers. Richard also performed my favourite number, “Remembers” in which he lists 200 sweets, toys, adverts etc. from the past. Richard Digance is a comic genius! Thank-you Ely Folk Festival for booking him. Friday was brought to a close by Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies, getting people dancing with the lively polka tune “Barnstorming,” amongst others, plus band member Kate Bramley took the occasional lead vocals on songs such as “Jesse Owens’ Shoes,” inspired by the legendary American sprinter who dominated the 1936 Olympic Games. More rain followed on Saturday as I wandered into Marquee 1 to see Jez Lowe again, this time as a duo with Kate to do songs from the RADIO BALLADS. I then decided to stay in the main tent-especially as I had a front row seat-to see out the rest of the afternoon session. Monroe’s Revenge were next up, a British group consisting of Dave Plane (guitar, vocals), Roger Blackbourn (banjo, vocals), Richard Partridge (fiddle, vocals), Dick Embery (double bass) and Joe Hymas (mandolin, vocals) that played some scintillating bluegrass, comparable with many of the American bands. Great music and very entertaining, although I would’ve preferred Joe to have ceased talking in a fake American accent; it wasn’t needed, with music of this quality. Elvis Fontenot & The Sugar Bees was an infectious and supercharged Zydeco and Cajun band from Staffordshire, having played in festivals all over Europe and America. They were hugely popular with the audience, playing dance tunes such as “Dirty Old Dog,” “Hot Tamale Baby” as well as a cover of the Otis Gibbs song, “Caroline.” With washboard and accordion solos a-plenty, this was entertaining stuff but the vocals were a bit weak. The afternoon was brought to a close by the incredible guitar playing of Blues Band member, Dave Kelly. I was lucky enough to catch one of Dave’s rare solo, acoustic gigs once before and it was nothing short of amazing. Picture this: Big stage at a music festival with one guy sitting on a chair with a microphone and a guitar. He starts to play “Cross Road Blues” by Delta blues man, Robert Johnson. You could hear a pin drop; the whole audience mesmerised by his phenomenal slide guitar playing. This set was like an anthology of blues legends as Dave played Skip James’ “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues,” followed by John Lee Hooker’s “No More Doggin’”. The chap sitting next to me commented on what a great voice Dave Kelly has and I had to agree with him, as a fan, but also as he’s one of the greatest British guitarists around. I was in absolute heaven when he played a brilliant slide solo

Review Date May 5, 2014 Review By Simon Redley Location Birmingham Town Hall Robert Cray is one of the most successful blues artists of the last four decades. Selling in excess of 20 million albums, a five time Grammy winner and 15 time nominee, he has no trouble getting bums on seats when he tours. The Robert Cray Band were back here for a 13 date 40th anniversary tour in May, and I caught their Birmingham Town Hall gig. All images credited to Simon Redley Robert’s childhood friend Richard Cousins alongside him on bass, Hammond and keyboard player Dover Weinberg and drummer Les Falconer are in his corner too. They are out there promoting his new record IN MY SOUL which dropped just over a month ago. The band played six of the 11 tracks from the CD, his 17th studio album, at the Birmingham show. The 15-song set list for the third date on their UK tour, gave the close to sell-out crowd everything they wanted to hear, apart from notable missing in action track, “Smoking Gun.”But we did get the classic “Right Next Door,” four songs in. His vocal chops are sounding as strong as back in the day, after 40 years of doing his thing, and always putting 110% emotion and passion into his singing and his playing on every performance. His playing still spine tingling, and like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and a handful of other legendary guitarists, when he plays, you always know it is him. That cutting tone, those sweet soul licks, that biting attack. It’s all intact. No smoke, no mirrors, no fireworks, a plain black backdrop, a couple of pretty lights shone on top. The Robert Cray Band need no gimmicks. It is all about the music, and above all else; the feel. The star of the show for me tonight was Robert’s flippin’ amazing voice. His is a sweet soul marvel, a gift. His phrasing is so innate and natural. He also knows how to write or choose material that gives him a perfect vehicle for that voice to shine. Wearing a baggy white shirt outside a pair of black trousers, and his trade-mark sandals and bare feet. Richard Cousins by his side, stage right. They kick off with “Won’t Be Coming Home,” from the 2012 album “Nothin But Love,” and then “Poor Johnny,” from 2008’s “Twenty.”Another taken from the 21012 release is “I’ll Always Remember You,” and he is in fine voice. €œRight Next Door,” from the hit 1991 album “Strong Persuader,” sounds superb on the Sunburst Strat’ he changes to, and there’s a neat trick at the end of the song when he and the band fade themselves out, like on a record. For me, the inventive bass line on the original record from Richard makes this track, and tonight it is exactly as on the recording. He introduces us to his comrades, Cousins getting the loudest applause, before swapping back to the silver guitar for the 2008 track “It Doesn’t Show.” We wait until song six for anything from the new album, and it starts with the opening track, “You Move Me,” before the superb soul tune “Fine Yesterday,” also a new one. His vocal phrasing on the 1993 cut from “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark,” the excellent “Don’t You Even Care,” is sizzling. He gets the first applause of the night for a guitar solo on that song. He squeezes every last ounce of emotion out of the neck of the guitar and from his vocal. They launch into the excellent “In My Soul,” album track “I Guess I’ll Never Know,” with Les singing harmony backing vocals. €œI Shiver,” taken from the 1996 release, “Shame + A Sin,” features some lovely brush strokes on piano and Hammond B3. An instrumental co-written by Robert and his pal of 45 years Richard Cousins, “Hip Tight Onions,” is a cheeky tribute to Booker T & The MGs, and their tracks “Hip Hug Her,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Green Onions.” “What Would You Say,” is also taken from the current album, on which he replicates a sitar sound on guitar. The final song is “Forecast Calls For Pain,” from the 1993 album “Midnight Stroll.,” Then the four join arms and take a bow to a standing ovation. The set list offers two more songs as an encore. We get another track from the current album, “Deep In My Soul,” a staple in the set list of the late great soul and blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland, and then “Blues Get Off My Shoulder,” a tune from his 2012 album. I personally would have liked a couple of incendiary up-tempo numbers to be sent off into the driving rain to. For every second of that 90 minute set, it was pure class from a timeless artist who just gets better. A real quadruple “threat,” as a guitarist and a singer to die for, a versatile songwriter and a performer who digs deep into his soul every time. Find out more at www.robertcray.com

Review Date September 15, 2015 Review By Johnny Tiat Location Leicester Square Theatre I have never been a fan of country music, although there are the odd one or two tunes that appeal to me, so when I was invited to ‘The Country Superstars Experience’ At The Leicester Square Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, I was apprehensive. Would I enjoy the show? The answer to that question, is a big fat YES. The amazing writing/directing and performance of Sarah Jayne Crust and Andy Crust gave myself and every other person that packed the auditorium a most enjoyable evening. The show was opened by none other than Dolly Parton herself (If I did not know otherwise I would have thought it was Dolly). Dolly immediately had the audience warming to her and we were putty in her hands, then she introduced the legend himself Johnny Cash the audience whooped with joy as he played with such precision and expertise some of Cash’s well known classic’s including Folsom Prison Blues and Walk The Line. The first half was like a whirlwind, as Billie Jo Spears, John Denver, and Tammy Wynette took to the stage and entertained us faultlessly. When Andy came on as Garth Brooks, I felt his performance was breath taking and to close the first half he was joined on stage by Dolly who joined in with Friends In Low Places. During the interval I headed for the bar and wanted to speak with as many people as I possibly could. Among the comments made when I asked the question “What do you think of the show?” were “Absolutely loving it, they look and sound like every one of the characters.” When I asked a man whom by the way he was dressed looked like a fan of country music. “Are you enjoying the show?” He replied “What do you think? This is Country music at its best.” I was thinking. How are they going to follow that? The second half was opened by Dolly, the perfect host. (I am going to resist the temptation of describing her as the hostess with the mostest). It is no wonder that I.T.V and S.T.V described Sarah as “The world’s foremost Dolly Parton Tribute act.” Throughout the show we were given the background of the artists and the meaning behind some of the songs. With the second half introducing Willie Nelson and Patsy cline, closing with Kenny Rogers being joined on stage by Dolly receiving a well-deserved standing ovation. I looked on Kenny Rogers website this morning and he says: “Andy Crust and Sarah Jayne are Europe’s leading Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute act.” I would recommend this west end hit to anyone, whether you are a fan of country music or not. Find out more at http://www.countrysuperstarsuk.com

Review Date May 6, 2015 Review By Nick Dalton Location What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone The sad, reflective lyrics of (They Used To Say) Train Time hark back through the years and this show reflects the glory days of roots and county in the capital when, 30-odd years ago you could pop out to the pub and see the likes of Guy Clark, Butch Hancock, even Dwight Yoakam. And, above all, Wes. This comeback gig after years of ill health is an eye-opener, the Brit guitarist, singer and songwriter showing to both those in the know as well as a new generation just why he’s long been part of the musical cognoscenti in Texas. Everything that this cool venue (including dazzling Swedish, finger-picking support act Benjamin Folke Thomas) stands for is summed up in the country and borderlands music, effortlessly breathtaking guitar work, aided by a coterie of top musicians. There’s sax player Al Stewart, Simon Webb on keyboards and bassist John Gordon, all part of the original band (and now working with hitmaker and actor Mike Berry as Rumpus) and Patti Vetta, another original on percussion and vocals. The only new boy is Howard Tibble, veteran of the original Hank Wangford Band and who’s played with the liked of Phil Everly. He’s on a kit so small that it takes one back to Jonathan Richman’s Modern Lovers. It reflects the new-found subtlety of what used to be a wild party. Amongst the potted plants, lamps and chilli lights on the tiny stage they weave through eye-wateringly beautiful songs and music – How Do We Get There From Here, Devil From Del Rio, Whiskey Is My Driver, all featured on his new 3-CD anthology BORDERS. It’s not simply old stuff; he’s working on a new album and the lilting, flamenco-led Blue Cajun Angel and Spanish jazz of Cocktail Conversations fit seamlessly into an awesome canon of material. And then, of course, there’s Monterrey, a majestic, Spanish guitar-picked epic. If the music leaves you misty-eyed, the venue does too; a pint of cider and glass of wine for £5.95. Those really were the days… Find out more at www.wesmcghee.com

Review Date September 15, 2015 Review By Johnny Tiat Location Leicester Square Theatre I have never been a fan of country music, although there are the odd one or two tunes that appeal to me, so when I was invited to ‘The Country Superstars Experience’ At The Leicester Square Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, I was apprehensive. Would I enjoy the show? The answer to that question, is a big fat YES. The amazing writing/directing and performance of Sarah Jayne Crust and Andy Crust gave myself and every other person that packed the auditorium a most enjoyable evening. The show was opened by none other than Dolly Parton herself (If I did not know otherwise I would have thought it was Dolly). Dolly immediately had the audience warming to her and we were putty in her hands, then she introduced the legend himself Johnny Cash the audience whooped with joy as he played with such precision and expertise some of Cash’s well known classics including Folsom Prison Blues and Walk The Line. The first half was like a whirlwind, as Billie Jo Spears, John Denver, and Tammy Wynette took to the stage and entertained us faultlessly. When Andy came on as Garth Brooks, I felt his performance was breath taking and to close the first half he was joined on stage by Dolly who joined in with Friends In Low Places. During the interval I headed for the bar and wanted to speak with as many people as I possibly could. Among the comments made when I asked the question ‘What do you think of the show?’ were ‘absolutely loving it, they look and sound like every one of the characters.’ When I asked a man whom by the way he was dressed looked like a fan of country music. ‘Are you enjoying the show?’ He replied ‘What do you think? This is Country music at its best.’ I was thinking. How are they going to follow that? The second half was opened by Dolly, the perfect host. (I am going to resist the temptation of describing her as the hostess with the mostest). It is no wonder that I.T.V and S.T.V described Sarah as ‘The world’s foremost Dolly Parton Tribute act.’ Throughout the show we were given the background of the artists and the meaning behind some of the songs. With the second half introducing Willie Nelson and Patsy cline, closing with Kenny Rogers being joined on stage by Dolly receiving a well-deserved standing ovation. I looked on Kenny Rogers website this morning and he says: ‘Andy Crust and Sarah Jayne are Europe’s leading Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute act.’ I would recommend this west end hit to anyone, whether you are a fan of country music or not. www.countrysuperstarsuk.com

Review Date March 6, 2015 Review By Nick Dalton Location 02 Indigo, London Kix Brooks is everything you’d expect him to be a rabble rousing ringleader of the songwriting community, kicking off with a cheery, arm-waving10-minute ramble about how he’d never wanted to be in a duo. How he and Ronnie Dunn (no keener) were persuaded to join forces by management as, after the demise of the Judds, there were no country duos left. Within days they’d written what turned out to be two hits, including Brand New Man, and the rest is history. That’s songwriting for you, and that’s what this evening was all about, combining engaging tales of success with the chance to hear hit compositions in an unplugged, informal setting. It’s like being at a big, corporate Bluebird Café with more expensive beer. Brooks launched in with Red Dirt Road, the duo’s 2003 hit, then watched as Clark introduced Miranda Lambert’s hit Mama’s Broken Heart (written by Clark and Kacey Musgraves), then watched as Brit heartthrob Sam Palladio, he of Nashville TV series fame, joined in. They all watched as husband and wife team Alexander and veteran singer/songwriter Randall did their bit. There’s a lot of watching goes on in songwriter circles, a lot of approving nodding of heads; only when Alexander was singing was there a second guitar, with virtuoso Randall coming in. It’s thoroughly entertaining seeing competitors in the business of selling songs trying, in the nicest possible way to outdo each other. “Another Blake Shelton” says Alexander, “Dierks Bentley” counters someone else, Kix with his own hits, including a pre-duo solo Sacred Ground, later a hit for McBride & The Ride. Palladio plays his impressive self-penned number Wake Me Up In Nashville, perhaps a hit to be, as he hints of a solo album. Alexander plays the trump card with I Drive Your Truck, not only a mega hit for Lee Brice but also voted CMA Song of the Year. The procession is broken by and the appearance of frenetic duo Striking Matches for one of their wild acoustic-country-meets-Hendrix workouts. Kix looks genuinely startled but normal service is soon resumed. For all the talk of hard drinking it’s a civilised affair; the gang get three rounds in but that’s songs rather than shots. It’s enough, though, to give the feel of having been behind the scenes of Music City. Nick Dalton Find out more at 

Review Date May 5, 2015 Review By Nick Dalton Location Union Chapel, Islington “It’s irony,” says Parker, greyer but no less wiry or pithy than he was 35 years ago. He’s talking about the billing. His label, Universal, apparently said it sounded like a working men’s club act with a performing dog. He points to Schwarz, wearing a black polo neck, and you can see the humour, raunchy roots rockers reinventing themselves as a not-really-acoustic duo. And he chuckles at how the label banned a competition to win a home concert in case they, well, went wild and broke something. This packed gig is part of a tour supporting the new album, MYSTERY GLUE, with the reformed and reunited Rumour before the full band heads out in the autumn. Parker plays acoustic for a bit then turns to electric, Schwarz is electric throughout, so this is far from a genteel acoustic event. And they’re certainly not sitting down. Parker’s music swings (as he tells us) and the evening does too. Whether it’s Flying Into London from the new album or Silly Thing from the 1976 debut HOWLIN’ WIND there’s a delicious warm and contented feel to it. Parker’s music in the punky 70s and glossy 80s occasionally tried to be something it wasn’t; here (and on the new album) there’s a relaxed yet still edgy groove. The gig is a happy trawl through the years. It’s gripping when Parker spits out Hey Lord Don’t Ask Me Questions (which becomes a singalong, but not so much as to make anyone unduly embarrassed) and his hit cover of Hold Back The Night, but it’s just as uplifting when he encores with the rip-roaring Railroad Spikes from the new album. Parker has always brought together rock, country and soul, the cornerstones of American music, infused with a Brit energy – and he does it just as well with a duo as a band. Nick Dalton Find out more at www.grahamparker.net