Brook's Blues Bar at The Telegraph
Every Friday we are at The Telegraph Pub on Putney Heath
Listings for March - July 2009
MARCH |
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Friday 27 |
GORDON SMITH & ALAN GLEN |
APRIL |
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Friday 3 |
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Friday 10 |
CLOSED FOR EASTER WEEKEND |
Friday17 |
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Friday 24 |
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MAY |
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Friday 1 |
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Friday 8 |
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Friday 15 |
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Friday 22 |
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Friday 29 |
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JUNE |
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Friday 5 |
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Friday 12 |
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Friday 19 |
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Friday 26 |
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JULY |
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Friday 3 |
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Friday 10 |
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Friday 17 |
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Friday 24 |
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Friday 31 |
WE TAKE A SUMMER BREAK DURING AUGUST AND RETURN ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11.
BLUES STARS APPEARING INCLUDE BRENDAN POWER AND DAVE PEABODY, RAG MAMA RAG, MIKE DOWLING ( USA), PAUL LAMB & JOHNNY DICKINSON AND MICHAEL MESSER & ED GENIS & THE GROANBOX BOYS.
BROOKS BLUES BAR
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BROOKS BLUES BAR
KEEP MUSIC LIVE…AND ALIVE!
Bookings correct at time of printing. Please ring to check line-up or see www.brooksbluesbar.co.uk for updates, or ask to join our email list for regular reminders: info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk. Your email address will be confidential.
The Telegraph – a Country Pub in London where you can…
- Listen to the best acoustic blues in London in style
- Enjoy good food, (last orders 9.45), six real ales and fine wines. Waitress service.
- Book a table by phone, or email: info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk
- Join our email list for weekly updates
- Music room opens at 8pm
BROOKS BLUES BAR AT THE TELEGRAPH
BOOKING & INFORMATION: 020 8788 2011
TELEGRAPH ROAD (corner of WILDCROFT ROAD), PUTNEY HEATH, LONDON SW15 3TU
Buses: 14, 93, 85, (424 unti l 8pm). Free parking.
Minicab: Putney Car Service 020 8870 6050
Printer friendly listings (PDF format opens in new window)
MARCH - JULY 2009 DETAILED LISTINGS
MARCH 2009
GORDON SMITH & ALAN GLEN – ‘The Essential Gordon Smith’ - CD LAUNCH
The stellar line up for the launch of ‘The Essential Gordon Smith’ CD are: Gordon Smith, (vo/guitar), Alan Glen, (harmonica), Bob Haddrell (piano), Jim Mercer (bass), and Dino Coccia (drums).
The late John Peel famously described Gordon Smith as “the foremost white blues guitarist in the world”. Gordon has come a long way since his birth in South Shields, Tyne & Wear. Influenced by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Furry Lewis, by the age of seventeen he had mastered the guitar and the bottleneck technique, and was gigging in the local clubs by night with a day job in a men’s outfitters.
When a friend persuaded him that his musical future lay in London, he moved there permanently in 1967 .
A year later he plucked up enough courage to busk in Portobello Road – a decision that changed his future. “”These two blokes – I never knew their names – came up to me and told me that they were regulars at The Blue Horizon Club in Battersea. They suggested that I go and check the place out. I did so the next day and played a short ‘interval’ set and the owner Mike Vernon was impressed”. The very next day Gordon Smith became a Blue Horizon recording artist and went on to share the stage or record with such legends as Muddy Waters, Duster Bennett, Fleetwood Mac and Kevin Coyne among others.
The appreciation of Gordon’s talent among his peers has brought about the re-issue of his early Blue Horizon recordings by Sony. A new CD ‘The Essential Gordon Smith’ with Alan Glen and featuring West Weston on Note Records will be launched at Brooks Blues Bar tonight.
Alan Glen is …"one of the finest blues harp players and slide guitarists of his generation" - Soundcheck Magazine.
Alan started playing harmonica after seeing Muddy Waters, and the 'American Folk-Blues Festivals' which visited London in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His early influences were Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells and Paul Oscher. He has been a member of many popular bands including ‘Nine Below Zero’ (1991-1995), and ‘The Yardbirds’ (1996-2003), and currently with ‘The Incredible Blues Puppies’ and ‘The Barcodes’ .
Admission £12.
APRIL 2009
FRIDAY 3 APRIL - SONNY BLACK & CHRIS BELSHAW - Exclusive London appearance
Inspired by the rich history of blues guitarists, Sonny Black is true to the spirit of the blues and roots tradition. From p laying acoustic country blues in the ‘70s’ with British blues pioneer Mike Cooper, through several European tours culminating in two critically acclaimed albums for Pye Records, Sonny Black went on to tour and perform with blues legends such as Lowell Fulson, Phil Guy, and Jimmy Dawkins. Sonny’s album Heart and Soul was voted album of the year by Blueprint Magazine in the UK.
Sonny and bass player Chris Belshaw recapture the sound of traditional acoustic and Chicago blues. A superb duo that never fails to deliver a tight and flawless yet soulful and moving performance.
“He possesses that quality that can only be called blues soul.” (Blues in Britain Magazine).
"An outstanding artist." Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2
”Top drawer ….. Time Out
Admission £10
FRIDAY 10 APRIL– CLOSED FOR EASTER WEEKEND
FRIDAY 17 APRIL – DANA GILLISPIE & DINO BAPTISTE
“I believe the blues should be sung by an older person because it's about emotions and experience. I couldn't do justice to it when I was younger because my voice didn't have the edge it needed to convey the emotion, nor did I have the first hand experience to sing about blue themes convincingly."
Multi-Award winning Blues Diva ‘ Dana Gillespie' has been touring the world as the true ambassador of the risqué blues. With over 50 albums to her credit, a self-styled Music Festival in Mustique, support to Bob Dylan, hit shows in London's West End, at the Edinburgh Festival, and many other Festivals throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, and beyond, Dana is truly an International Blues legend.
Dan a Gillespie has been dedicated to the blues from an early age: "I discovered the blues when I went to the American Folk Blues Festival in 1962 and also to see the Yardbirds at the Marquee Club. I was in my early teens and hadn't heard anything like it before - blues wasn't easily available in the UK back then". Bessie Smith especially inspired her because of her combination of sly, funny and bawdy lyrics. "Blues was my first musical love because it's earthy, spiritual and honest."
Dino Baptiste’s style of Blues, Boogie Woogie and Rock'n'Roll piano playing combine with Dana’s exuberant personality to add a new dynamic to the blues.
Admission £12
FRIDAY 24 APRIL – BAGGE & ARMER Exclusive London Appearance.
Bagge and Armer play an eclectic mix of the ‘blues and beyond’, featuring the sensitive soulful guitar and smoky passionate vocals of Nigel Bagge and the melodic harmonica wizardry of Eddie Armer. Drawing on a wealth of experience their music displays many roots – from classic blues through soulful ballads with a hint of country to driving rhythm and blues, all played with feeling and empathy.
Nigel has toured Europe appearing at many blues festivals playing electric guitar with Chicago Blues Diva Angela Brown. He works non-stop in the UK, both with his own band and as part of other line-ups including various appearances with such legendary blues heroes as Chris Farlowe, Peter Green and Miller Anderson.
Eddie Armer , frontman with The Lonnigans, was chosen by Carlo Little (‘Stones original drummer) to take the place of the late Cyril Davies’ on harmonica, when he reformed the Allstars with surviving original members. Recording credits include Pete Seeger, Odetta, the late Long John Baldry, Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood.
Admission £10
MAY 2009
FRIDAY 1 MAY – HANS THEESSINK (UK TOUR) – Exclusive London Appearance.
Hans has become one of the most sought-after artists of the international blues scene. He is more or less constantly "on tour" and plays an average of 200 concerts a year - a modern day troubadour and entertainer who keeps on spellbinding audiences all over the world.
His roots are unmistakably in the blues, but have also been influenced by countless other aspects of roots music. This musical variety has become his trademark and his song writing links the past with the present reflecting the universal pains and pleasures of life. Hans is probably Europe 's No 1 blues export- one of the top blues and roots musicians worldwide who has entertained audiences around the globe during a musical career that spans over than 35 years.
"Hans Theessink is an international blues treasure. He is one of the world’s pre-eminent country pickers and his warm baritone expresses blues. Hans does this not as a curiosity or just as a copy of his predecessors but as living, breathing Delta man himself. It may be that there is a different perspective from a man born 3000 miles away but these blues swing, soar and challenge you to find them done any better"
(Dr .Blues - Long Island Blues Society News, August 2003)Admission £12
FRIDAY 8 MAY – NATIONAL STEEL – STUART ‘MARSHCAT’ CUMBERPATCH & LEWIS COHEN
“…some of the finest blues music I’ve heard…Stuart is without doubt one of the finest National guitar players, with the voice and guitar of Lewis more that admirably backing that up. Look out for this duo…this is music being played and sung as it should be…” Luther Dave King.
Stuart and Lewis play powerful acoustic blues from the 20s & 30s from the Mississippi Delta (Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters), plus blues and gospel from other regions. Stuart is an authority on National guitars (he owns many classic instruments), and has been giving masterclasses for over 20 years. Lewis’s guitar style is rooted in the traditions of Son House, Bukka White and Fred McDowell and his powerful vocals backed with Stuart’s masterful accompaniment recreate the masterpieces of the golden era of acoustic blues.
Their new CD National Steel was issued in Spring 2009.
Admission £10
www.lemonrock.com/nationalsteel
FRIDAY 15 MAY - FRUTELAND JACKSON (USA) & BOB HALL – UK TOUR Exclusive London Appearance
“ Jackson’s secret weapon is his song writing; his mastery of pre-war idiom is total…He’s well versed in Piedmont, Delta, field hollers, country blues and more…” Blues Revue ( USA)
Bob Hall,,, "The finest blues and boogie woogie piano player this side of the Atlantic" Folk Roots Magazine.
Born in Sunflower County, Mississippi in the 50s and raised in Chicago, Fruteland plays traditional, delta-style acoustic blues – with a twist. He describes his music as "baby boomer" blues – it’s music based on the country blues tradition but updated to reflect his experiences and the current times. His parents played the blues around the house when he was growing up and his uncle, who first taught him to play the guitar, was a blues performer. "The seeds had been planted," he says. His rich sounding voice and a relaxed stage presence that makes for an enjoyable performance of traditional style blues mixed with interesting stories about blues history. His debut CD, "Fruteland Jackson…Is All I Crave," has a mixture of original compositions, traditional delta blues, and popular songs played in the traditional style.
Critically acknowledged as Britain’s finest blues and boogie pianist, Bob Hall’s distinctive and original piano style has influenced generations of piano players. He has recorded with Alexis Korner, Peter Green (in the Sunflower Blues Band) and Spencer Davis.
Admission £12
FRIDAY 22 MAY - MADAME PAMITA – THE REDUCED ALL STAR MEDICINE SHOW ( USA) - A BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Be transported to the birth of recorded music as fortunetelling songstress, Madame Pamita, brings her own bizarre and unique American Medicine Show to town. All the way from the city of Los Angeles with her pack of tarot cards in one hand and a ukulele in the other, she brings a wagon-load of authentic rural blues, jug band and comic proto-jazz numbers to curious seekers. Romance and revenge and mirth and mayhem! Fans of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, Alan Lomax's field recordings or what Greil Marcus likes to call "the Old Weird America" will be in for an evening's entertainment like no other! Appearing alongside the good Madame will be Patrick Weise as "The Idiot Saw-vant" on musical saw and "The Holy Ukerist" on soprano ukulele.
Admission £12
http://www.madamepamita.com
http://www.myspace.com/madamepamita
FRIDAY 29 MAY – ROGER HUBBARD - Exclusive London appearance
Roger Hubbard , who makes a welcome return to Brook’s Blues Bar tonight, has been a stalwart of the British blues scene since the early 1970s when he recorded his album "Brighton Belle Blues" for the prestigious American label, Blue Goose. Many know Roger through his work with his band, Buick 6, which has been described as "the consummate band". However, he is at his best in a solo setting, with just his strong vocals and guitar or mandolin. It is with this in mind that he recorded his latest CD, " Danger Deep Mud", as a strictly solo offering with no overdubs or extra musicians, giving a true representation of a live performance. One of the songs from this album, "Home Lovin' Man" was recently recorded by Eric Bibb on his "Natural Light" CD.
"One of the greatest living country bluesmen": Michael Prince, Blues in Britain magazine.
His latest CD recorded at Brooks Blues Bar at The Telegraph in 2008 is now available
Admission £10
JUNE 2009
FRIDAY 5 JUNE – STEVE JAMES (USA) Exclusive London Appearance.
"The old masters clearly passed on the secret of achieving the blues musicians goal of 'oneness'-that state of grace where voice, hands, guitar, bottleneck and feet coalesce and the fingers finish phrases the voice begins or vice-versa". Scottish Herald. "Flawless fingerpicking and slide guitar paired with an idiosyncratic writing style and an exuberant performance persona makes Steve James come on like a full band." Dirty Linen
Steve James is a well known name among devotees of contemporary acoustic blues; this notoriety based on numerous critically acclaimed recordings, a tireless international tour schedule and a sheaf of published work including articles, instruction books and videos. His instrumental versatility (on guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, guitar-banjo) also makes him a favourite at music camps and workshop programmes.
Steve has recorded with a diverse crew including Maria Muldaur, James McMurtry, Jesse 'Babyface' Thomas and Kevin Russell of the Gourds. He's played live with a slate of blues/roots luminaries including John Hammond, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and Howard Armstrong. Steve has also appeared on numerous compilation albums, including a recent Grammy-nominated tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell and an homage to Charley Patton to which he contributed both music and liner notes.
Admission £12
FRIDAY 12 JUNE– GUY TORTORA TRIO
“ . . . very, very good stuff! Excellent song writing . . . very subtle, beautiful, and lovely side guitar.” Paul Jones BBC Radio 2
“ . . . he sings with as much understated soul as anybody has a right to expect. Tortora is something of an undiscovered treasure .. ” Americana.co.uk
Californian Guy Tortora has laid claim to a unique niche on the Blues 'n' Roots scene in the UK and on the Continent. His first two solo albums received a warm welcome in the Blues 'n' Roots press, with a third album, Living on Credit, voted one of the best albums of 2008 by listeners to the UK's Digital Blues website. His original songs are firmly planted in some of the various musical idioms that originated in the USA -- blues, jazz, folk and roots. Some describe his music as postcards from a personal Storyville, delivered with conviction and passion.
He is accompanied by Janos Bajtala on piano, and Costa Tancredi on bass.
Admission £12
FRIDAY 19 JUNE - ROLAND CHADWICK & ALAN GLEN
The Alan Glen/ Roland Chadwick duo explores the rich and varied sounds and emotions of the blues. Alan Glen is acknowledged as one of the UK’s finest harmonica players. He has toured the world as a member of “The Yardbirds”. and recorded with “Nine Below Zero”, “Little Axe”, and his own band “The Barcodes”.
Roland Chadwick: Half Man - Half Guitar. Some say he’s the Guitar Slinger. Some say he’s the Wizard of Oz. Others say they saw him in the Cotswolds selling his soul to a blind man with a Red Hat holding a magic plectrum made of solid sound. The mystery deepens and the truth may never be told but those in the know, know that Roland Chadwick is music to his bones.
Admission £10
FRIDAY 26 JUNE - JIM CRAWFORD – UK TOUR - Exclusive London Appearance
“Superb performer, great songwriter” Paul Jones BBC Radio 2
“This is what roots music needs so badly, superb musicians having a good time and sharing it with the audience” Blues in Britain
“The finest country blues player in the UK” Ben Andrews
Jim is something of a blues enigma. Originally from Lancashire he now resides in Appledore on the North Devon coast. A shy and retiring man who readily admits that recording studios fill him with dread and that he’d rather go fishing with his dog for company, he has, none the less, toured much of Europe and the U.S.A captivating audiences with his intimate blues style. His is revered among the blues world for his resonant, barrelhouse blues vocal and as a consummate finger picker and slide guitarist.
Admission £10
JULY 2009
FRIDAY 3 JULY - FRAN McGILLIVRAY AND MIKE BURKE TRIO
“Fran McGillivray sings with a controlled passion highlighted by Mike Burke's instinctive blues guitar heart to create a highly distinctive character. The material is beautifully, grippingly balanced - heartbreakingly poignant one minute, rousingly upbeat the next - and the acoustic settings give it all an illuminating freshness. I play this album all the time in the car. No journey should be without it." Colin Irwin "Folk Roots" magazine (review of "Rest less" CD)
Fran McGillivray has a honey- like voice which is capable of going from rasp- like to velvet- like vocals in a single breath". Brian Cushion " Blues in Britain" magazine
“Superb music and performances which are never flashy, always spot-on and wonderfully entertaining". Ashwyn Smyth “Blues Matters” magazine
Fran and Mike are founder members of electric band So Long Angel. Since appearing at the Colne Blues Festival as a duo in 2004 they have concentrated much of their energy into developing a unique acoustic brand of blues and hauntingly original self-penned songs featuring Fran on vocals and bass guitar and Mike on guitars and Roger Nunn on kit, djembe and percussion. .
Admission £12
FRIDAY 10 JULY - SIMON PRAGER WITH KEVIN STENSON & VICKY HUME (Exclusive London Appearance)
Simon Prager (Vocal and Guitar) was a member of the ‘South London Blues Mafia’ which grew up around the late Queen of the Blues – Jo Ann Kelly. He performed and recorded extensively with harmonica player Steve Rye and blues pianist Bob Hall as ‘The All Star Medicine Show’ and appeared on albums with the likes of Albert Lee, Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart!
Simon’s ‘up front’ style is influenced by Rev Gary Davis, Brownie McGhee and Blind Blake and his repertoire ranges from Ragtime, Jazz and Country Blues through to Vaudeville and Music Hall.
Kevin Stenson(guitar and harmonica) has his musical roots in the country and city blues and jazz of the 1930's, old Appalachian mountain songs and dust bowl ballads. Along his musical path he met, played with and learnt from masters like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and the late Jo Ann Kelly. But these and a host of vinyl influences, including Merle Travis, Lonnie Johnson, Doc Watson and Little Walter have long been absorbed into his own musical voice.
This is a rare opportunity to hear Vicky Hume - one of the few singers whose vocal pitch and flawless delivery bring authentic emotional intensity to the lyrics of classic blues standards.
Admission £12
FRIDAY 17 JULY - RAY STUBBS AND HIS AMAZING ONE MAN BAND (UK TOUR)
Ray Stubbs , a rare visitor from the North East, pays his annual visit to London and Brook’s Blues Bar and showcases an even rarer blues phenomenon – the blues one-man band. Only a few have ever been recorded – Joe Hill Louis, Dr Isiah Ross and ‘Lone Cat’ Jesse Fuller, all of whom have left their mark on Ray. From Louis there is a fierce Memphis rhythm, from Ross controlled and driving guitar and harmonica and from Fuller the timeless quality of the blues.
Influenced by Fuller, Ray has been inspired to design his own instrumental set-up, (one of Europe’s largest), which is in itself a work of art. During the performance, Ray blends into his battery of instruments, surrounded as he is by crash cymbal, sock cymbal and hi-hat, foot operated snare drum, bass drum, harmonica, kazoo, pedal bass, cowbell, washboard and jug and 6 & 12 string guitar, he becomes a part of this complex array. He also sings.
Ray is no novelty act. He is a devoted blues performer who plays from the heart. His musical repertoire ranges from Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf to some of the rarer performers such as Washington Philips and J.B. Lenoir. He is equally at home with the power of Rev. Gary Davis to the light-hearted Cab Calloway.
Admission £10
FRIDAY 24 JULY - NEIL COWLEY WITH GILES HEDLEY AND RICHARD SADLER - Exclusive London Appearance.
In what is best described as a Brooks B lues Bar Special, Neil Cowley with Giles Hedley and Richard Sadler (bass) come together as the blues trio with a difference. Giles who sounds uncannily like Howlin’ Wolf with his huge blues sound combines with Neil’s piano wizardry to create a whirlwind of energy. Neil shot to public attention with his first jazz album, ‘Disp laced’, 2007. He is a musician who has paid his dues and who draws inspiration from a broad musical spectrum –which gives his performance a rare intensity. This rare appearance of three great interpreters of the blues is not to be missed.
"authenticity is all ... Hedley clearly prefers the rough to the smooth" The Guardian
"... a genuine hard-bitten bluesman ... a genius. Hedley makes his tight, measured electric blues look effortless, but this is virtuoso stuff." Oxford Mail
"…rocking country blues…" Time Out
Admission £12
Delta Echoes are Richard Scruton, (vocals, acoustic & resonator guitars, harmonica & kazoo) and Stuart ‘Marshcat’ Cumberpatch, (National steel guitars & harmonica). They recreate the blues of the 1920s and 1930s on original vintage instruments (inc luding a selection of rare National steel guitars). Their gigs are a journey back to the origins of western popular music and offer a rare opportunity to hear the authentic sounds which filled the juke joints of pre-war Memphis, Atlanta, Clarksdale and Chicago; the journey often includes an occasional excursion to Hawaii and the wilder realms of cowboy/ hillbilly /hokum and gospel country.
Admission £10