Jenny Colquitt Band

JENNY COLQUITT

Musician Pub 26th May 2024

 A treat last night at The Musician Pub with the return of Jenny Colquitt, this time with her band (guitar/drums/bass).

I hadnt seen Jenny playing with the band before and wasn't sure what to expect, but what we got was a high class singer/songwriter playing with a tight high class band to deliver an outstanding couple of hours music.

Jenny accompanies herself mainly on guitar, but also on keyboards and is an exceptional singer. The band are tight and play as a band, supporting Jenny and playing superbly... no flashy soloing, just fine fine ensemble playing in total empathy with the songs.

Much of the repertoire tonight came form the new album... some really great songs from what looks like being a really strong album.

The first half was really great and quite intense, ending quietly with Jenny and her guitar solo as the band took a short break. The second half started with a bang with a strong up-tempo piece and continued in a somewhat rockier vein with more up--tempo material along with the more intense material.. and including a well supported sing-along chorus and phone torches raised towards the end. However great the first half was, for me the second set got even better!!

Jenny's singing is clear and strong and she uses her great voice to maximum effect... equally at home on the quiet more reflective pieces, such as the set without the band closing the first half, as well as the more up-beat rockier numbers.

There was a lovely rapport between the stage and audience from the beginning which gave a lovely warm feeling through the room throughout which helped create a really great gig.

This was a great night.. superb performance by a real quality singer/songwriter supported by an excellent tight band. great stuff

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venue

Paddy McCullogh/EZ Sharks/Phil Pell/Autumn Dawn Leader

PADDY McCULLOUGH/E Z SHARKS/PHIL PELL/AUTUMN DAWN LEADER

Orso Cafe 26th May 2024

Lovely chilled afternoon in the sunshine (apart from a couple of little showers) outside Orso Coffee Bar & Eatery. Huge thanks to Paddy McCullough for arranging the event, hosting and delivering such an enjoyable opening set.

After Paddy came a new talent, someone to really watch.. E Z SHARKS who was playing her first paid gig and delivered a fine set.

Next on was Phil Pell who provided a highly accomplished and beautiful set of acoustic guitar pieces.

Ending the afternoon was another great set by the unique magnificent Autumn Dawn Leader: Songmistress

Four great performances of real, live genuine music on the streets of Leicester courtesy the Leicester Music in the Streets programme, Orso Coffee Bar and Eatery and four fine musicians.

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues

Chickenhead Lounge

 MICHAEL JOHN PANTER/SLIMJIM/HUBCAP

Musician Pub 23rd May 2024

Back at the The Musician Pub for the first The Chickenhead Lounge event since 2016... and a really great night it was. They promote the event as a night of "dirty blues" and it was that and more... a great uplifting night

Starting off with some acoustic blues from Michael John Panter, playing some superb old time blues from the like so Robert Johnson, Blind Blake et al... It was refreshing to here these familiar songs, favourites of many a blues rock band, stripped back to the basics. Fine guitar playing and a voice that could be soft and have a real growl and edge as required.

really great opening set... loved it

Next up was a definite change of pace... Slimjim, a guitar and drums duo who i believe hadn't played publicly together for a few years... it didn't show.. they hit the stage running and blazed into a set of blues classics played at high speed with lots of power and attitude.. Powerful and exciting guitar work with some tremendous drumming made for a hugely exciting and great set... The band invited a harp player up to join them in a Mississippi rap version of Stack-o-Lee... which however great it was i cant imagine getting a lot of air-play!!... though it would certainly improve many of the radio stations around!! High powered blues verging on rock'n'roll and punk.. superb set

Finally, a big ask for Hubcap to follow.. .but they succeeded beyond doubt... also a guitar/drum duo playing high energy and power blues and my comments about Slimjim could equally apply here. Powerful creative guitar work and some tremendous drumming blend superbly to make an exciting and glorious whole. There were calls from the audience for "King Bee" which they ended with somewhere around 11.40 at night... a superb climax to what had been a glorious nights music and all for a modest £8 on the door!!...

Absolutely wonderful night, looking forward to the next one

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venue

Michael Morrow & the Culprits

 MICHAEL MORROW & THE CULPRITS

Musician Pub 22nd May 2024

Back in the The Musician Pub tonight for another rock'n'roll treat with the return of the great Michael Morrow & The Culprits.

The band's music is classified as hard rock countrified blues... and it rocks hard from the outset.

The band hit the stage and as the fanfare ends they crash into the first song... driven by crisp solid powerhouse drumming by Seedie Wolf and Steve Haywood's rocking bass and topped by Michael Morrow's fluent eloquent guitar.

The band play mainly their own material, written by Michael, but also do some well judged covers, including tonight material by Bowie, Blur, Thin Lizzy, Talking Heads, Led Zeppelin & Ted Nugent.�

The music is for the most part fast paced rock'n'roll with hints of country but includes a couple of slower more bluesy pieces. This is a real band with each of the musicians delivering great musicianship and contributing equally to the overall sound... no self indulgent interminable solos here... just solid ensemble glorious rock'n'roll.

Michael writes the original songs and handles the bulk of the vocals... he has a clear strong voice perfect for this kind of music and delivered a superb LedZep cover (sadly as not a Zeppelin fan i don't know the title!) in a very Plantesque style... His guitar playing is fluent and creative and influenced by the great players such as Hendrix & Page but is very much his own. Michael is using two Gretsch guitars (Gretchen & Penelope!) and creates a wonderful sound with both.

Steve's roots are in brtitsh 70's pop rock and he sings on the covers from that era, effecting a fine mockney accent on the Blur song. His bass playing is incredibly energetic, powerful and clean throughout.

At the back Seedie is a great drummer, powering along with precision and rhythm, and a very powerful kick-drum...

The energy level this band generate is tremendous and their rapport outstanding... three superb musicians working together to make a hugely energetic exciting brand of rock'n'roll music that is totally irresistable.

No doubt about it... this is one of the best rock'n'roll bands we've seen... rocking, high energy high class rock'n'roll over the best part of two hours... and to crown it, a bunch of the best fellas you'll meet.

Hoping to see the guys back later in the year... another "can't miss"!

Keep music live... Keep music real... support your local venues