CD Review - Family Style - Live In Nottingham - preview cd.
This review is included on the "jazzreview.com" website.
here is the link
http://www.jazzreview.com/guest/review-16621.html
enjoy
A "Delta Dawn" Review.
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
Live Review - Eddie Tatton Band
- Spalding Blues Club - Sunday 6th June 2004
The Eddie Tatton Band
Featuring Wendy Martin on Vocals
Eddie Tatton on guitar
Simon Sparks on bass
Nigel Lobley on percussion
Former members of "Out of the Blue" have reformed with an exiting new young female vocalist - Wendy Martin. Man! can that girl sing! Backed by one of Britain's best lineups, the fabulous lead guitar work of Eddie Tatton, the solid bass of Simon Sparks and the rhythm of drummer Nigel Lobley, the gig was a tremendous success.
Here is their play list for the night:
1) BABY I LOVE YOU - BONNIE RAITT
2) SET ME FREE - EDDIE TATTON
3) DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE - EVA CASSIDY
4) STORMY MONDAY - EVA CASSIDY
5) PRISON OF LOVE - ROBBEN FORD
6) LOVE ME LIKE A MAN - BONNIE RAITT
7) PALACE OF THE KING - FREDDIE KING
Interval
8) DANGEROUS MOOD - KEB MO
9) DAMN YOUR EYES - ETTA JAMES
10) ROCK ME - EDDIE TATTON
11) I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU - ETTA JAMES
12) HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET - BB KING
13) MARRY YOU - ERIC CLAPTON/BB KING
14) LONG WAY HOME - EDDIE TATTON/KEVIN THORPE
( Old Out Of The Blue Number).
15) DRIFTING - JIMI HENDRIX
16) WHITE ROOM - CREAM
17) BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - EVA CASSIDY.
Older members of Spalding Blues Club remember with great pleasure the time when "Out of the Blue" played Spalding Blues Club a few years ago. So, a buzz went round when we knew part of the band had reformed with a new vocalist, we looked forward in anticipation to hearing the new lineup. From the opening of the first number we knew we was not going to be disappointed. Eddie Tatton has not lost his touch, in fact his playing has matured over the years, such very fine extended solo's in practically all of the numbers. Wendy Martin is a real find, there are not many female blues artists in the UK so it's great to hear such a new young talent, she has a pleasant melodic voice, gentle in the slower numbers, a real powerhouse when required. Eddie and Wendy are more than capably backed by Simon on bass and Nigel on percussion. The audience were enthralled the whole of the gig showing their appreciation with plenty of loud applause, hooting and hollering their thanks for a really fine night. Eddie don't leave it so long this time, we would be pleased to see you back sometime soon.
What can I say about the Numbers played, I enjoyed them all, from the fine vocals to the superb musicianship. A great mix of classic numbers from several era's and numbers written and co written by Eddie. I was a bit apprehensive when they announced "White Room" a Cream number was next, a female vocalist doing such a number phased me a bit but I was more than pleasantly surprised at how capably Wendy handled it. Also her "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" although not a Blues number was a fitting encore to the show.
Contact Band - Simon Sparks - mr5string@hotmail.com
A 'Delta Dawn' Review
Spalding, Lincoln shire, England.
CD Review - Mike Dollins & the Cruize Brothers - LIVE
This review is included on the "Blues on Stage" website.
http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2003/mikedollins-live-fs.html
enjoy!
A "Delta Dawn" Review.
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
CD Review - When Young Girls Get The Blues
- The Yellow & Blues Band
Sponsored by BLUES IN BRITAIN
The National Blues Club of the UK
10 Messaline Avenue, London W3 6JX (020 8723 78376)
e-mail: info@bluesinbritain.org
Recorded and mixed at STUDIO-STUDIO (01706 853518)
by Pete Troughton and Michael Ford (November 2002)
web: www.yellowandbluesband.com
Joe Ball - brass, keyboard, lead guitar
Heidi Bland - brass, congas, vocals
Tamara Cole - vocals
Michael Ford - rhythm and slide guitars and soul monologue
Amy Kenny - drums
Kim Lee - vocals
James Row - bass guitar, vocals
Additional vocals on "Ain't Love Good," and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" Carolyn, Eddie, Tammy, Shane, Olivia, Pauline, John, Bernard, Gill, Fig, Amanda, Carol, Lorraine, Stephen, Bev, Ian, Sarah, Emily, Pauline, Pam, Zoe, Susan, Rachel and Chris.
Track listing:
track 1 - When Young Girls Get The Blues (M Ford)
track 2 - I Spy For The FBI (Wylie/Kelly)
track 3 - Untie Me (J South)
track 4 - People Get Ready (C Mayfield)
track 5 - Little Boy Blue (C Mayfield)
track 6 - Warm and Tender Love (Robinson/Berger)
track 7 - Cool Jerk (D Storball)
track 8 - Little Piece Of Leather (Elbert/Dallas)
track 9 - Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud (T Clarke)
track 10 - Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Mitchell)
I firmly believe in "Keeping Blues Alive", as part of that conviction I support Blues Music in Schools. Steve Arvey from Chicago USA and Rick Payne from the Bristol area of the UK are just two such artists that take part in the Blues Education program. Here we have Michael Ford, a Headmaster of a Primary School in Yorkshire, England who has gone one step further, he has formed a band with his pupils playing Soul music. Soul music is one of blues children, so children leaning to play Soul music is a great introduction to blues.
In keeping with a fine Blues tradition Joe Ball, like W C Handy, plays cornet and guitar, lead guitar in fact and keyboard as well. Together with Heidi Bland on brass, congas and vocals, Michael Ford on rhythm and slide guitars, Amy Kenny on drums, James Row on bass guitar and vocals, The lead vocals are a complex arrangement shared by Tamara Cole and Kim Lee, Fine vocals generally by Tamara singing the verses with Kim singing the mid-8's. On People Get Ready Tamara does verses 1 & 4 with Kim doing 2 & 3, on Little Boy Blue Tamara does the lead line throughout, on Cool Jerk Michael does a monologue, on Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud Tamara sings the opening bars and on Everything's Gonna Be Alright James makes an appearance, on Little Piece Of Leather Joe does a guitar solo...making a pretty remarkable young band. (Well, plus one old codger, sorry Michael). The additional vocals on Aint Love Good, Aint Love Proud and Everythings Gonna Be Alright, participants listed above the track listing add a fullness, enriching the overall band sound.
This great album comprises of a collection of fine soul numbers suited to a school band and it's audience portraying in music childhood to adolescence, rampant hormones! mood swings!, boys!, when and why young girls get the blues! The title track written by the band, good number fitting in well with the rest I know of from my youth, I particularly admired Curtis Mayfield, I have his album Curtis from 1970 amongst my vinyl collection, the words to his Move On Up have been an inspiration to me throughout my life. So, gang "Move on Up", I wish you every success.
Please support this terrifically talented young band by checking out their web site, supporting their gigs and buying their recordings.
A "Delta Dawn" Review.
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
CD Review - Heather Bennett Quintet - Sweets - Promo copy
Heather Bennett Productions BMI
All compositions by Heather Bennett, Copyright 2003
Produced by - George Schuller
Engineered by - Katherine Miller
Recorded/Mixed at - The Studio, NYC
Photo's by - Ada Rovatti
www.heatherbennett.net
Hbimprov@aol.com
phone: 917-769-5417
Heather Bennett - piano
Bill Mobley - trumpet
Rick Margitza - sax
Rufus Reid - bass
Bill Hart - drums
recent info from Heather:
Apria Records is putting out my CD. (jazz@apriarecords.com , Steve Wilkinson) It has been mastered since you received your copy, The order is different now the suites have been broken up, and the new title is "Suite Talk".
The new order is as follows:
1. Cadillac Roundup 6:05
2. Silent Witness 1:15
3. Cacti 5:41
4. Giddy Down 3:58
5. Nite Awl 6:31
6. Falling 5:35
7. Rattlesnake Dance 7:19
8. Mustangs 5:45
9. Sweets 5:11
10. Deep Fried Tumbleweed 5:52
11. Blue Bonnet 6:57
12. Taps,for A.D. 4:13
Total Time: 64:30
The album comprises two suites: The Texas Suite is "mustangs, blue bonnet, cacti, and cadillac roundup" the new york suite is about my transition moving to new york city from texas "silent witness, 'nite awl, giddy down, falling, rattlesnake dance". The song taps, for a.d. is a dedication to the first drummer who played in my trio down in Austin Tx who died a few years ago. (A.D. Manion).
--------------------
Believed to be unedited version. Liner Notes: Suite Talk
In the summer of 2001, I seemed to be in the middle of a renaissance of great new piano players - within about two months I had come across three or four different keyboardists, all of them in different clubs and restaurants across New York, from Brunelli's on the Upper East Side to Tagine in Hell's Kitchen. They all could really play, and, they all were attractive young ladies, which I thought was just a coincidence. By September, I finally realized that all these different players I thought I had heard were all Heather Bennett, who, that summer was constantly changing her hair color, and when I saw her with stone white hair as the leader of a trio in one venue, she not only looked but sounded completely different than when she was backing up a vocalist at another club, and had changed yet again when I saw her in tenor saxophonist Ada Rovatti's large-scale band Elephunk.
When I began hearing her on records I knew I had at last heard the real Heather Bennett. She is a visionary composer and she realizes her compositions remarkably with her own ensemble. As the title of this album, Suite Talk, humorously suggests, for her fourth recording, Ms. Bennett has managed that most difficult of compositional aspirations, the long-form work.
The two suites heard here both are genuine jazz works, which follow classical rules of long form construction. Both the Texas Suite (Mustangs / Blue Bonnet / Cacti/ Cadillac Roundup) and the New York Suite ( Silent Witness / Nite Awl / Giddy Down / Falling / Rattlesnake Dance) are based on core themes that are reiterated throughout the multiple movements of each. Texas is essentially based on a 16-bar theme, heard in different keys and time signatures. If you listen closely, the third part, "Cacti" is in 7/4, but as Bennett says, "I don't want odd time signatures to sound deliberately odd, I want them to sound natural."
Likewise, the five sections of her New York Suite (which reflect a Texan's eye view of the Big Apple) use an eight bar theme as a point of departure. The orders of both suites are broken up in this recording, allowing the listener to revisit both themes throughout. I find it interesting that Bennett tends to write more motivically, taking care to get the melody down right and then letting the chords fall into place from there. (Modern jazz is often created the other way around, with the melody coming out of the chords).
The remaining individual pieces are also ingeniously crafted, "Tumbleweed" being based on a 12-tone row. "Taps For A. D.", is a memorial to Bennett's first drummer, who died of liver cancer. "Sweets," which opens with trumpeter Bill Mobley, is considerably more cheerful, being a samba with the ensemble "head" in cut time and the solos a trifle slower in 3/2. Suite Talk is a key step in Bennett's artistic evolution, in which she progresses from standards and originals with a trio of her contemporaries to a larger ensemble of well-established veterans playing more ambitious extended works. For her next step, she's got us all primed for something more adventurous still.
- Will Friedwald
----------------
Modern Jazz instrumentals in particular are hard to write about but here goes! Heather Bennett as a recording artist is not new to me, I wrote a review for her previous CD, "All Through the Night", which I emensely enjoyed listening to and writing about. Naturally I was delighted to be offered a promo CD of her latest recording now being produced as "Suite Talk", which refers to the 2 suites of music, the Texas suite and the New York suite plus 3 individual pieces; the 2 suites signify musically the different influences on Heather in moving from one environment to another, in Heather's case from Dallas, Texas to Brooklyn, New York. The two suites differ in style and tempo as outlined technically in Will Friedwald's Liner notes above. The transition shows in her composition and style being more ambitious, with more musicians, a quintet this time, comprising of more experienced players. It certainly comes off, a definite upward movement in her career, a maturity in her composition and piano technique, inovative, stylish, impressive.
I enjoyed Heather and the guys playing throughout, exemplary musicianship by all. I should mention some numbers that I found particularly interesting. I shall start with track 2, "Silent Witness", it is the striking drawstring on the double bass in this short but poignant number that really caught my attention, it is almost classical, very melancholy, was this inspired by 9/11? it makes a good requiem to that disastrous day anyway. Great solo's by all on track 5, "Nite Awl". Really superb arrangement on track 7, "Rattlesnake Dance". I do like a samba as in the final track, track 12, "Taps, for A. D.", my girlfriend Sandra was in Holland's top Samba Dance troupe a few years back. This number is at a suitably slower tempo as a dedication to Heather's first drummer A.D. Mannion, a fine tribute. I could go on and on and possibly land up writing something on each track but I will leave the rest to you to listen to, to give you some pleasant surprises.
Some great titles, particularly like "Deep Fried Tumbleweed", "Nite Awl" and ""Rattlesnake Dance". Having listened to all of the album I have come to the conclusion that the mixing together of the two suites is a very clever comparison musically of the effects of the two different environments, nostalgic of the old, partly critical, very enquiring of the new, very cleverly worked in my opinion. Or am I trying to delve too deep? after all this is improvisation...at it's best! Go out buy this album, you listen, you decide. Better still if you are lucky enough to catch Heather in live performance somewhere near you, even better.
A "Delta Dawn" Review.
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
CD Review - Alex Parche Band - Beat the Devil - RAC 012
RACOON RECORDS - LC 04695 - 2001 empromusic P
Produced by Alex Parche - 100% Live Recording
Booking for Europe:
C.A.T. Concerts and Tours
18 Burnham Court
Morecombe LA3 1NJ
Lancashire UK
phone: 00 44 (0) 1524 853258
mobile: 07979 307 580
email: marcatconcerts@aol.com
www.catconcerts.netfirms.com
Alex Parche - guitar performance
Mike Feyer - vocals
T.S. Crusoe - bass
Robbie Vondenhoff - drums
With 3 self penned numbers, 5 co written with German/American Bill Parks, 2 by Peter Green, 1 Stevie Wonder, 1 Jim Morrison and 1 by D. Nix this is German hard rockin' fat City-Blues at it's best.
Track listing:
track 1 - Beat the Devil (Parche)
This CD starts off exceedingly well with this Jimi Hendrix style urban Blues number. It is said that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil to improve his musicianship, Alex Parche beats the hell out of him ably assisted by Mike's great vocal, resounding bass by T.S. and keepin' it all together great timing on drums by Robbie.
track 2 - Nightmare (Parche/Parks)
Mikes vocal frenzy introducing Alex's psychedelic onslaught, wow! Vying with each other the band whoop up a`storm. The audience certainly loved this one.
track 3 - Superstition (S. Wonder)
Alex and the gang turn this exceptional Soul number into a resounding Blues rock. Blasting away, it certainly is enough to raise the Devil!
track 4 - Roadhouse Blues (J. Morrison)
Still rockin' away at full tilt, the band blasts enough energy to awaken Jim himself! He would just love this rendition of one of his better known numbers.
track 5 - Cool Running Man (Parche/Parks)
Well this number is real cool, takin' us high! Makin' us feel allright! Just don't know where these guys get the energy to keep up this amazing pace. Let me know guys!
track 6 - The Seventh Son (Parche)
With a slightly, well a little less pace, just a little! Still keeping an amazing onslaught, a mystical number, goes with the seven, deep but powerfull.
track 7 - Do You Really Know... (Parche/Parks)
Do you really know.... who is`that playing "harp" on this track? Blends in with the rest of the superb musicianship. I just know this is a great number.
track 8 - Get Down to Business (Parche/Parks)
This is a real low down dirty blues! About a punter and hooker, great lyric backed by yet again that illusive "harp" intertwining with the guys, just like the punter and hooker I guess! Great atmosphere created here.
track 9 - Oh Well (P.A. Green)
A rocked up, early Peter Green number. I never tire of hearing new versions of such a well known number, particularly if they are done well as this arrangement. Top marks for this one.
track 10 - Eight Bars (Parche/Parks)
A good twist in the lyric, the eight bars referring to bars as in alcohol as well as in music. A slower lonesome lament.
track 11 - Rattlesnake Shake (P.A. Green)
back to a number by the British Bluesmaster, Peter Green. It's got me shakin' right down to my boots. Great number, done great, not overstated.
track 12 - Nightshift (Parche)
A powerful number, the band as strong as ever, boundless energy producing an awesome rendition, an alto sax adding further dimensions to the overall sound, great guys!
track 13 - Goin' Down (D. Nix)
Playing out, it really is Goin' Down so well! Everyone puttin' their all into this one. Great finish, leavin' us wantin' more!
Whether you are listening to this band in the luxury of your home on CD, or in a smokey, dark cellar bar with a bottle of schnapps for company, or at an open air festival hugging a stein of good German beer, you will really enjoy The Alex Parche band, they conjure up a great atmosphere.
A "Delta Dawn" Review.
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
CD Review - Walk - Family Style
Family Style FS01 2003
Produced by Family Style and Romano Grossi
Recorded by Andrea Signori at: Hangar Music Cusago (MI), Italy on March 24/25/26/27 and April 12 2002
Blu Wave Studio Nichelino (TO) Italy on November 14/21/28 2002
Mixed by Andrea Signori at Blu Wave Studio Nichelino (TO) Italy
on December 2002 - www.bluewavestudio.com
Design and Art by Link - Photos by Valentina Mazzella
Info and Booking: www.familystyleband.com info@familystyleband.com
Bookings in Benelux and France: Blues &Rock Events:
Linda Boulanger, Vanderstichelenstraat 34, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
Tel/Fax 0032-59502792 - e-mail blues.rock.events@skynet.be
"WALK" is now available in the UK via www.movinmusic.co.uk
This album is part of a journey through life, a blues life, a way of life, Family Style. Early beginnings of this journey start with Cooper Terry, a black American Bluesman settling in Italy after as a young teenager getting himself into a bit of trouble Stateside. Marco Limido was his electric guitarist in his band 'The Night Life'; at the age of 16, his younger brother Franco saw the band and was so impressed by Cooper, he decided then and there that he wanted to be like him. So we have it, the foundations of a really great band, following in the footsteps of their Mentor, the late, great Cooper T'. They have journeyed to many places, from Dublin to New Orleans, from Warsaw to Milan and on to Spalding in England and even Rotterdam. Journeying with them, their cousin Davide Bianci and their buddy Gigi Biolcati, gathering many friends along the way, sharing lifes experiences, it's ups and downs, giving inspiration to this albums superb content. 'Walk' is part of lifes journey.
So on to my analysis of this album, track by track.
1 - My Baby She's Grand (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limido - guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums
Family Style burst into this album with a great up tempo number, I am sure Franco's lovely girlfriend Leila was the inspiration, I have seen her photo, "She's Grand". Equally fine solo's from Franco on 'harp' and Marco on guitar backed by that tight rhythm section of Davide on bass and Gigi on drums. Grand number.
2 - Brand New Blues (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica session
Marco Limido - guitars
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums and shaker
Slawek Wierzcholski - harmonica solo
An equally fine up tempo number, given more depth by Gigi adding a shaker and a great harmonica solo by Slawak that great 'harpist' from Poland. Adds a new dimension.
3 - Get Rid Of You (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limido - guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums and udu
Great start with Franco on 'harp', Marco on guitar and Gigi on udu. Unusual lyric and rhythm portraying a sentiment we have all felt many times in our life. Superb 'harp' break by Franco in the middle. Franco my Buddy you are in fine voice.
4 - Body Painter (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals
Marco Limido - guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums
Slowing down the pace here, Franco leads with an even more unusual lyric about possibly a former lover? Unusual Lady! Probably fun while it lasted, probably better in the past where it belongs, a bitter sweet memory.
5 - Jack Daniel (S Wierzcholski)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limido - guitar
Tony McPhee - slide guitar and backup vocals
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums
Slawek Wierzcholski - rhythm guitar, backup vocals
A great drinking song written by Slawek, the usual four band members plus that great British Bluesman Tony McPhee on slide guitar and Slawak again this time on rhythm guitar, both providing the backing vocals. I would love to be included in this round, sip it slow to appreciate.
6 - Easy (W Horton)
Franco Limido - harmonica
Marco Limuido - guitar
Stefano Franco - piano
Breaking from their own numbers, just two of Family Style this time, Franco on Harp and what a superb piece of 'harp' too, a fine tribute to 'Big' Walter 'Shaky' Horton. Ably backed by brother Marco on guitar and Stefano Franco on piano. A fine, slow, drawling piece of honky tonk.
7 - Walking Blues (R Johnson)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limido - slide guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums
Marco changing to an Elmore James style slide guitar for this legendary number by that instigator of Blues music, I whisper in reverence "Robert Johnson". Great gruff vocal by Franco. Superbly done number, done as it should be.
8 - Pocket Full Of Nothin' (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limidi - guitars
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Bioclati - drums and shakers
Great start by Gigi on drums and shakers soon expanded into another unusual number by all the guys, with a "pocket full of nothin" how can you lose? Well they don't lose the plot, love it.
9 - Chaplin (M Limido)
Marco Limido - guitar
Michele Fazio - piano
Luca Tonani - bass
Gigi Biolcati - whitewash brush and drums
The pace slows down again with this gentle instrumental written by Marco, really sound guitar from Marco, equally by Michele Fazio this time on piano, a change of bass also by Luca Tonani. And whats this as well as drums, Gigi on whitewash brush, it certainly adds a thud to the rhythm. A well written piece of jazz blues, well done.
10 - Someone To Blues About (F Limido - M Limido)
Franco Limido - vocals
Marco Limido - guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass and backup vocals
Gigi Biolcati - drums and backup vocals
Michele Fazio - piano
Looks like Family Style have written a lyric to a previous instrumental from an earlier CD, no doubt inspired by a great relationship that has it's ups and downs. Well Leila, Franco certainly loves you babe, his "someone to Blues about". Just great guys, best number.
11 - I Walk All Day (Just To Find My Way) (F Limido - M Limido)
Patrick McGinley - vocals
Jim Mercik - vocals
Franco Limido - vocals and harmonica
Marco Limido - guitar
Davide Bianchi - bass
Gigi Biolcati - drums and cajon
Bringing in that great Irish American vocalist Patrick McGinley, and young Jim Mercik to join in this catchy repetitive lyric with Franco, this number with the band blasting away in between the chorus, what a really great number for audience participation. Thats it! get a round in for all the guys, they deserve it.
Family Style start their Benelux tour on Friday 6th June 2003, check their web site for details www.familystyleband.com
they are also lining up further tours to promote this CD, they will be in the UK in 2004.
A 'Delta Dawn' Review
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
CD Review - Ty Garner - Big Boss Man
All solo tracks recorded live on Radio Panningen, the Netherlands.
Pickin' The Blues recorded live at The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK
featuring Kev Rogers on drums and Steve Richardson on bass.
Smokestack Promotions 2002.
Smokestack Promotions,
25, Wood Street,
Mansfield, Notts.
NG18 1QB
Telephone/Fax 00 44 (0)1623 658866
bookings@tygarner.co.uk
email: tygarner@hotmail.com
web: http://www.tygarner.co.uk
Ty Garner hails from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire just up the road from Spalding, Lincolnshire where I live. He served his blues apprenticeship busking in Paris and Amsterdam. There is no finer grounding for blues than playing the streets, as the Masters of Blues did in their time, giving that urban feel to his performance. His arrangements to some well known numbers as well as his own compositions, very jazz influenced, make this an extremely fine album of Blues in Britain today. I really admire an artist that can not only write a good number but produces a fantastic arrangement every time. Ty is well known in Europe, He and his band begin their Autumn 2003 tour in the UK. Catch them if you can, see them live, it will be worth it.
track 1 - Big Boss Man (acoustic) (J. Reed)
Ty starts off with a Jimmy Reed classic, straight away you sense you are in for something different, a fine vocal and great acoustic guitar from Ty in his own terrific arrangement.
track 2 - Rollin' Man (P.A. Green)
The band join Ty in this upbeat, jazzy version of the legendary Peter Green number, superb.
track 3 - Leavin' (T. Garner)
A number by Ty this time, a fantastic number, great organ accompanying Ty's stirring lyric. The number might be about leavin', but I'm not, I'm stickin' 'round for more!
track 4 - Black Magic Woman (P.A. Green)
Another Peter Green classic, an amazing arrangement by Ty, great vocals, great electric and acoustic guitar, and Wow! that organ again. The band go into overdrive with this psychedelic Blues.
track 5 - Congo Square (S. Landreth)
Another great choice with this Sonny Landreth classic, I can imagine the band playing this complex version in Congo Square itself, in New Orleans, wowing the gathering crowd.
track 6 - Worried Dream (B.B. King)
Slowing the pace, a BB King number no less, Ty even dares to put his personal stamp on this one, Yeah another true arrangement to my satisfaction.
track 7 - Pickin' The Blues (T. Garner)
Back to another Ty Garner composition, good bass, drums and keyboard to accompany Ty's superb guitar work, very snazzy instrumental very well executed. Good Pickin'.
track 8 - Cocaine Rag (T. Garner)
Clearing his nose! Ty sings about the effects of Cocaine, makes you insane! Nuff said. A superb anti drug number.
Bonus tracks
9) Rollin Man (alt take) (P.A. Green)
Up tempo version of track 8, another great arrangement, it rocks!
10) Leavin' (acoustic) (T. Garner)
Acoustic version of track 3, I'm still here! I'm goin' no where man! Ty's acoustic guitar work, more gentle this time, more feelin'!, more fervour!
11) Pickin' The Blues (live) (T. Garner)
Live version of track 7, showing Ty and the bands full capabilities, totally different, stunning version, guaranteed to blow your mind!
A 'Delta Dawn' Review
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
Video Review - Parkers Alibi - The Farewell Concert
The Robin R'n'B Club, February 8th 2002
Filmed and recorded by Michael Allen.
Photography Demitri Robinson
M.Allen/Nightmare UK 2002
special thanks to Mike Humblett..
Parkers Alibi
Ian Parker - guitar, vocals
Morg Morgan - piano, organ, vocals
Chris Lomas - bass, vocals
Tony Baylis - drums
http://www.parkersalibi.com
http://ianparkerband.com
I first saw Parkers Alibi more than two years ago at a live gig at Spalding Blues Club http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/frankskinner
I was impressed by their professionalism and dedication to blues music. Ian Parker is an impressive blues guitar player/vocalist, Morg Morgan likewise on keyboards and a superb rhythm section of Chris Lomas on bass, and Tony Baylis on drums. I am proud to have been asked to write a review of this video, the farewell gig at the Robin.....proud in the reason that they are such a good band and proud that they are a British band. They will be sorely missed!
track listing and review
The video starts with an introduction by Ian Parker having a cup of coffee; he explains that this video is recorded live at the Robin warts and all!
(Excerpts from Sound Check)
This section gives an insight into how a band checks the sounds are right on the night and the tension just before a gig is performed.
Now onto the nitty gritty!
1 - Funny How
Ian warms up the band and the crowd with this excellent intro to the band and it's sound. Good vocals and electric guitar from Ian. Notice that the crowd are right up to the stage. Grand applause from the crowd at the end of this first number.
2 - Empathetic Fix
Close up on Ian's excellent vocals and guitar skills, then close up on Morg on keyboards, like the beret!
3 - Five Long Years
This is more like my style of blues, some real Chicago... Knockout!
4 - Brick
Good rockin' number, good closups of Chris and Tony. Good duo solo by Ian and Morg then excellent solo by Morg, he really rattles them keys!... Honkeytonkin' good time by all.
5 - Born Under a Bad Sign (Albert King)
Ian turns guitar down! Brilliant number, good interpretation of a great classic.
6 - Don't Wake Me
Crowd noise can be heard from here on, constant babble in the background. The pace slows right down with this number, sincerely put sentiment, Ian and Morg work so well together.
7 - Misfits and Fools
Ian sits down from this one and changes to acoustic guitar. All band now seated for a great instrumental lead into an excellent vocal by Ian.
Ian spots a Monty Turnbull t-shirt! (who's he?!)
8 - Something More
Self penned number from the heart - deep emotion, wow! superb.
wee, wee break for Tony!
9 - To Cry
Ian and Morg duet this sincere ballad, Ian is a true raconteur!
10 - Dear Lord
Another even deeper delve into Ian Parker's very soul, a cry to heaven, Ian rings out his raw emotions.
11 - Come Together
Ian stands, changing the mood, back to electric with George Harrison's up-tempo number. I like it. Lift off!
12 - Ain't No Cuttin' Loose (James Cotton)
Still in an uplifting vein the music swings along instrumentally and vocally. Ian and Morg enjoying this one, so are the crowd.
13 - Burden Of Pain
Back to a slower tempo, heartfelt soul wrencher, emotion pouring from Ian's vocals, then from from his guitar work. Superb.
14 - Cheating On You
Every blues set must have a number like this one, about men, women, and the inevitable cheatin'.
Good reggae rhythm throughout, impressive, expressive guys.
15 - Need Some Healing
Well after the cheatin', we definitely need some healin'. Ian heals my soul with those excellent guitar riffs, drivin' vocals and Morg with a great organ solo. Yeah!
16 - It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World
Soft intro by Morg on keyboards, then Ian getting down on guitar and vocals to express that this is their last gig as Parkers Alibi. The message comes across so very well, emotion wrung out of his playing..par excellence guy!..Blistering!
17 - Some Kind Of Wonderful
Choked full of emotion, Ian leads the band into the final number of the set with a tribute to the crowd at the Robin..the bands spiritual home.. and a tribute to each of the band members, individually.. and to their support team. A wonderful finish to a great final gig. Chris and Morg joining Ian in the vocal.
(Encore) After a rousing encore, more, more! from this ecstatic Robin crowd, they are back for an encore.
18 - Almost Cut My Hair
Jazzy lament performed well by all the guys, enthralling this crowd into silence then rapturous applause. Yeah man!
19 - Making A Change
This final number, this final encore, Parkers Alibi play out triumphantly, this number only written by the band the day before specially for this occasion. Like the lyrics, Parkers Alibi are making a change "Moving On".
Chris Lomas now runs Hoodoo Moon Promotions
http://www.hoodoomoon.com
he and Tony Baylis still collaborate in a couple of bands, details on the site.
Ian Parker and Morg Morgan have collaborated on various projects since Parkers Alibi split, their latest venture is the Ian Parker Band,
http://ianparkerband.com
they have a new rhythm section in Steve Amadeo on bass and Andy Edwards on drums. I have the great pleasure of seeing this new line-up tonight, Sunday the 16th February 2003 live at Spalding Blues Club
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/frankskinner
I am looking forward to tonight!
A 'Delta Dawn' Review
Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.