Drugstore Cowboys/Matt Kenesten Band

DRUGSTORE COWBOYS/MATT KENESEN BAND

The Donkey Venue 14th July 2024

The Donkey Venue did us really proud yesterday... a day when all of the usual suspects gathered to see two exceptional bands playing in the garden.

First up was the MATT KENESEN BAND... sadly i missed the first few minutes of this set, but the band were in fine form, delivering a hugely enjoyable set of country/americana. Playing mainly songs written by Matt with a few well judged covers thrown in, including a fine "Rockin' in the Free World"

Thoroughly enjoyed this great set from a really first class band.

If you want a band to bring a party, you can do no better than booking the DRUGSTORE COWBOYS. Hard to fully categorize this band, but americana/rockabilly/rock'n'roll seem to cover the bases. As ever the band ripped through a selection of Nick's own songs and a great series of covers, each one given the upbeat powerhouse Drugstore Cowboy treatment. The covers are from a wide range of sources, including CCR, T Rex, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and many others. Towards the end of set set Nick suggested it was time for the anthemic material, and launched into Glen Campbells "I'm a Drugstore Cowboy"

As ever Nick seemed unwilling to leave the stage... recalled he hadn't played any Chuck Berry and launched into "Sweet Little Sixteen" before closing with the ever loved "White Lightning"

This band are always outstanding... it's always party time when they play... and this was another terrific set, full of energy and swagger, and hugely uplifting.

On a high after the music it was into the pub to surrounds the TV'to watch the Euro final... perhaps a draw a vewil of that particular event...

Huge thank to Mike and everyone involved at the The Donkey Venue for a really great afternoon/evening...

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

Gypsy Pistoleros/BlitZ

GYPSY PISTOLEROS/BLITZ

Musician Pub 12th July 2024

Contrasting with a few previous gigs, a night of rock'n'roll at The Musician Pub last night

First up were a band from Nottingham, BLITZ. they kicked off with plenty of energy and attitude and. Musically, and are a very competent power trio, but the set was fairly routine metal, I saw the same performance by countless bands in the early 70's and this added nothing. No unique selling point or originality here, fairly routine and ultimately monotonous...

I have to admit though, they did go down well with much of the audience .

Headlining however, were a totally new band to me... and wholly new experience... Gypsy Pistoleros... and what a great band they are!!

They hit the ground running, decked out in their make up and flambouyant dress style.. and rocked the room... I dont know what the songs they played were, but "Living the Vida Loca" was there fairly early, and they encored with. "Come on Eileen"... i detected something of "Hotel California" somewhere as well... if only the Eagles had this much pazzaz!!

The leader/singer was the perfect rock frontman.. great vocals, great presence and a nice line of patter between songs... the bass player hyper active bouncing around and grinning the whole time and playing some fine pumping bass and the guitar player slightly more static but equally engaging played some outstanding stuff throughout. At the back, the drummer hammered away, proving that not only was he capable of almost brutality to his kit, but proved a terrific drummer...

For the whole set the band kept up a colossal pace and energy, never flagging or failing to be totally engaging. It's always great to see a band not only playing this well but having such a ball... hugely entertaining... great fun and one of the best performances i've seen in an age!!... i absolutely loved every moment of this anarchy!!

If, like me, you didnt know this band you are missing out... go see them as soon as you can... they are a great band and great fun.. absolutely glorious, preposterous, overblown huge rock'n'roll energy and fun... and there isn't enough of that about

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Chris Conway/Ray Garner

CHRIS CONWAY/RAY GARNER

Musician Pub 11th July 2024

Last night The Musician Pub saw a rather special gig... a celebration of 35 years as a professional musician for CChris Conway and a great performance it was!

First up was guitar player, RAY GARNER. Ray played electric and showed his versatility, and incredible talent, by performing some classical pieces, blues, originals and a jazz standard...

Rays playing was superb throughout generating a relaxed atmosphere in the room. Sadly not really my cup of tea, but he was, quite rightly, warmly received by the audience, and there is no doubting his absolute talent as a musician.

As Ray finished, up stepped Chris to deliver two super sets of Conway classics... He has an easy charm and always a great rapport with the audience and made it seem as though he was playing for selected friends in a living room.

It must have been hard sorting out a set list, but he concentrated on songs that reminded him of people, places and events throughout his career

For the full set list, see Chris's post about the show...

He opened with the classic "Leaves" about catching falling leaves to earn a special day the following year for every leaf caught... seems like good sense to me! This was followed by "Surpise me" dedicated to his wife.

Chris plays a range of instruments , and as he switched from guitar to piano spoke of his earlier days as a jazz pianist and avant garde musician and played some fine jazz piano during the the set

The first real comic song was "Fake News" which is hugely entertaining and funny but also makes some strong points.

The second set started with "Love Space Station" which i think in some ways summarizes him... more classics followed, then we got "Jazz Potato"... always a real winner with enthusiastic audience participation... the second set gave us several pieces played on the Kalimba, and "Love Song" which included a virtuoso performance with the bells... He ended with three absolutely wonderful classic pieces... the wonderfully absurd "Alien Jellyfish Song", followed by a personal favourite of mine "Superheroes Never Die" and with glorious "Three Headed Girl"

An encore was definitely needed... and tonight it was "Rainbow Real" played on two whistles... and that was it.

How do you summarize a 35 year career in the space of one gig.. exactly as Chris did last night!!... a hugely varied set covering every aspect of his musical career... every piece a gem and all played with Chris's warmth, commitment style and great ability.

And on top of this great performance, we were treated to his own memorable ight show!! (see the picture!)

Absolutely loved it... a great night...

Love... Peace... and Outer Space

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Lachlan Bryan % the Wildes/Weeping Willows/Riley Catherall

LACHLAN BRYAN & THE WILDES/WEEPING WILLOWS/RILEY CATHERALL

Musician Pub 7th July 2024

Sunday night at the The Musician Pub was an absolute treat...an all Australian bill and 3 new, to me, acts... each one superb.

Opening up was Riley Catherall, a singer/songwriter of great quality. He has a really great voice and sings with conviction and style while playing great guitar. Riley has a beautifully relaxed style and a very entertaining line of stories between songs.. a lovely warm personality who engaged the audience from the first minute and delivered a really top class set of his own excellent songs. A really super performance

After Riley came Weeping Willows... I had heard so much praise for this pair and they lived up to it and more. Both Laura and Andrew sing beautifully, Laura especially having wonderful voice.

They play mainly their own material, which is consistently high quality and always worth hearing, and has shades of folk and americana... , and they ended with a Blind Lemon Jefferson blues (One kind favour/See that my grave is kept clean).

Laura also sang a cover, a particular appropriate and beautiful piece in honour of a lost friend (to my shame I can't remember what the song was... )* which was both beautiful and moving.

The couple are extremely upbeat and generate great warmth and energy along with the quality singing and musicianship, which you can't help loving.

Andrew plays guitar throughout while Laura plays accordion on some pieces... and the quality of the musicianship, as well as the singing, along with the warmth of the stage presence makes this couple a "can't miss" act... absolutely superb

* the song was "Love at the Five and Dime" by Nanci Griffiths

Last up was Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, an ameicana band all the way from Melbourne, Led by Lachland with long time collaborator Sean on bass and Riley back up playing electric guitar.

Seans bass playing is impeccable and Riley achieves some of the most unique and beautiful sounds from his guitar... the two create a perfect foil for Laxhlans's music. In common with the other two acts Lachlan and the band have a beautifully relaxed approach and are full of personality and warmth, Lachlans banter between songs being a delight

The songs are also excellent and and Lachlan delivers them with real warmth and style. Lachlan has the stylish look of an outlaw, but has a soft truly appealing voice and sings his excellent song incredibly well (shades of Willie Nelson?).

Another really great set on what was a wonderful evening of music

3 superb acts... three superb sets and one simply lovely evening... loved it!!

Lachlan and Riley will by back with Alan Fletcher in a week or so

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