• From: West Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2007-08-02
  • Posts: 1,587

Topic: Matt Schofield

Matt Schofield and his band made their debut in York last night at a small club called Fibbers.
It's been a couple of years since I last saw him and he has a new line up. Jonny Henderson is still with him on keyboards. Alain Baudry is the drummer and the newest member is Spaniard Javier Garcia on bass. It was only his fourth gig and he was great!
Although Jonny always did a great job playing the bass on his keyboard I think having a bass player makes for a better, fuller sound. Javier looks to be quite a character. When he played his solo he moved to the front of the stage right in front of me. I could have played a few notes for him!
The set list was fab including Live Wire, Cookie Jar, Betting Man, Lay It Down, Ear To The Ground, Siftin' Through The Ashes, Heart Don't Need A Compass and Troublemaker for the encore.

I was chuffed to get a poster from the wall and all the guys' signatures on it.

I shot some video of course. The lighting wasn't too good for videoing though. There was more light shining into the crowd than onto the band. It was also very loud.

Ear To The Ground   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ZTRU6MFFc

Betting Man   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr-JbbV7 … re=channel

Troublemaker   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxONidtu … re=channel

I really enjoyed it. Check him out if he's playing near you

http://www.mattschofield.net/shows.html


Tripsy smile

  • From: South East London
  • Registered: 2008-11-14
  • Posts: 351

Re: Matt Schofield

Thanks for this Tripsy.  We went to the 100 Club on Thursday.  The first time I have seen the band and was blown away. 
Maggie

  • From: LEEDS TILL I DIE
  • Registered: 2009-05-08
  • Posts: 85

Re: Matt Schofield

tripsy i really wanted to go to this but unfortunately i could not get away from work till seven,
glad you enjoyed it thanks for the videos.

#1 chantel fan         


   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpJ9afQPDM
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Matt Schofield

Thanks for the vidoes Trispy. I does look like it was a little dark in there. I caught the band the following evening:

Matt and his band  were excellent at the Cluny, Newcastle on Saturday.  There was a good crowd in attendance  – Matt’s largest in the city to date -  who were very appreciative and spurred  the band on even more. This was the first time I had seen Matt with a bass player with Javier Garcia Vicente taking his place for only his fifth concert with the band. You would never know. He was superb, there was a lot of creative interplay from Matt, his keyboard player Johnny Henderson and drummer Alain Baudry. Much in a similar way that Derek Trucks surrounds himself with superb musicians who are his equal, Matt does the same. Each musician is a virtuoso with their instrument, without ever falling in the trap of being self indulgent.  The songs encompassed a raft of different styles from shuffles like All I Need, the slow blues of Lay It Down, the New Orleans styled Live Wire and influences from the world of funk and jazz in addition to blues, certainly not simply generic blues rock.   
The songs he played were:

What I Wanna Hear
Live Wire
Cookie Jar
Betting Man
All You Need
Lay It Down
Heart Don't Need A Compass
Ear To The Ground
War We Wage
Sifting Thru Ashes

Encore -
Once In A While
Trouble Making Woman

Plus a few playful diversions into other songs. The band are really on fire and in my opinion are the all round best blues based band from the UK that I’ve seen.  There are many UK based blues fans that are primarily interested in American artists and their infrequent tours, yet I would certainly put Matt up there with any of them, in terms of musicianship, originality and song writing. 

Nice to see some other Scots had made the trip down too, particularly as Walter Trout was playing in Glasgow the same evening. Matt did confirm after the show he does intend to play the city on his next UK tour in May.  If you’re not due to see them in the dates remaining this year, make sure you catch them live next year...

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Matt Schofield

Great videos as always Tripsy, loved them! smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: West Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2007-08-02
  • Posts: 1,587

Re: Matt Schofield

lucky simon wrote:

tripsy i really wanted to go to this but unfortunately i could not get away from work till seven,
glad you enjoyed it thanks for the videos.

Sorry you couldn't make it Simon, damn work eh!

Tripsy smile

  • From: West Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2007-08-02
  • Posts: 1,587

Re: Matt Schofield

Nice review Duncan....well you are a pro now aren't you wink

I captured Lay It Down too which was excellent but it runs for about 12 minutes. I'll see if I can Facebook it.

Thanks, Roy. I did my best smile

Tripsy smile

  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Matt Schofield

Tripsy wrote:

Nice review Duncan....well you are a pro now aren't you wink

I captured Lay It Down too which was excellent but it runs for about 12 minutes. I'll see if I can Facebook it.

Thanks, Roy. I did my best smile

Tripsy smile

Actually I am doing a review of this one, so some of what I've typed I may encorporate, not a pro though, pros get paid! tongue

Lay It Down is an excellent modern slow blues tune "with a twist"

As Tripsy said, catch Matt and the gang if they are playing near you! smile

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

9 Reply by Wooders (edited by Wooders 2009-11-15 01:25:06)

  • From: The East Coast of Nowhere, UK
  • Registered: 2008-02-11
  • Posts: 2,284

Re: Matt Schofield

I saw Matt Schofield for the first time on Thursday at the Riga in Southend. Sadly, the audience was not that large at only 50-60.

Matt's set was preceded by Tim Aves, a local blues man who plays guitar, harp and sings. He also has a blues radio show on local radio. In Tim's band was Joel Frisk, from Hokey Joint, on guitar. They were quite good too.

As I'd heard good things about Matt from those who'd been to recent gigs on the current tour, I was looking forward to going and wasn't disappointed. The current line up is a stand-in bassist called Sylvan Daniel (or something like that), although Matt called him Sly D; Jonny Henderson on keys, who was very good and Alain Baudry on drums. (Apologies if spelling is incorrect.)

Definitely a blues based act, Matt's set lasted around 1hr 40mins and was:

  • What I wanna hear (the usual starter, I think)

  • Cookie Jar

  • Better Man

  • Live Wire

  • Lay it Down (nice sloooow blues)

  • Ear to the Ground

  • I Don't Know What I'd Do "a new shuffle" with Tim guesting on harp

  • Stranger Blues, the Elmore James number, with Tim on harp

  • Heart Don't need a Compass (think I heard Hendrix's 'third stone' in there)

  • Siftin' thru the Ashes, during which the other band members all had solos

  • Travelling South (encore)

I've heard it said that Matt is a guitarists guitarist and that he's technically gifted in his playing. I'd say that was pretty accurate. A very enjoyable evening and I'll definitely see him again.

Speaking to Matt afterwards, we briefly discussed his appearance at Charlotte Street Blues on 23rd December for "Matt Schofield's Blue Christmas". It seems there will be some special guests that night including two drummers on stage plus harmonica and sax players. Not sure how they'll all fit in the tiny stage at CSB, but it should be a great night. Anyone in the London and south east area should try to get along as I'm sure it will be very entertaining.

Phil

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56
  • From: South East London
  • Registered: 2008-11-14
  • Posts: 351

Re: Matt Schofield

Thanks for this Phil and the information about Charlotte Street Blues Club - will chase that up and hope to see you there.
Maggie smile

  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Matt Schofield

Checked out the vids.. Matt is a good player.. He reminds me of two of my favorites.. Robben Ford and Chris Cain.   His guitars are cool as well.. One of them was worth more than my car at one point..  Not so much anymore.  Thanks to Bernie Madoff.  Guitars shouldnt be treated like shares of Berkshire Hathaway anyway.  They should be played.. Qudos Matt..
Joe B

  • Brack
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  • From: London, getting hotter \m/
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 6,462

Re: Matt Schofield

Thanks Tripsy, I liked him, and like Joe says, he does have something of Robben Ford and Chris Cain about him.

~ Brack ~

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  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Matt Schofield

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Checked out the vids.. Matt is a good player.. He reminds me of two of my favorites.. Robben Ford and Chris Cain.   His guitars are cool as well.. One of them was worth more than my car at one point..  Not so much anymore.  Thanks to Bernie Madoff.  Guitars shouldnt be treated like shares of Berkshire Hathaway anyway.  They should be played.. Qudos Matt..
Joe B

Thanks for giving Chris Cain a plug.  If Schofeld is good like that...how did I miss this guy?  Me gwinter check 'im out directly.

MuchLove (not for Edward Cullen) wink
BigJeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Matt Schofield

Great to see the comment by Joe on Matt here, Tripsy you must be pleased!

A little news for US/Canadian fans of Matt Schofield, Matt this month has just started being represented outside Europe by the New York based booking agency, Entourage Talent, whose clients include fellow Brits Joan Armatrading, Procol Harum and Steve Hackett and US guitarists Derek Trucks, Joe Satriani and Leslie West.  If you want to see him near you, you might want to contact them - http://www.entouragetalent.com/

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: West Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2007-08-02
  • Posts: 1,587

Re: Matt Schofield

Greenose wrote:

Great to see the comment by Joe on Matt here, Tripsy you must be pleased!

A little news for US/Canadian fans of Matt Schofield, Matt this month has just started being represented outside Europe by the New York based booking agency, Entourage Talent, whose clients include fellow Brits Joan Armatrading, Procol Harum and Steve Hackett and US guitarists Derek Trucks, Joe Satriani and Leslie West.  If you want to see him near you, you might want to contact them - http://www.entouragetalent.com/

Yes I am Duncan. The boss is keeping an eye on the competition I think lol

I'm waiting for him to subscribe to my YT channel next smile

Tripsy smile

  • From: near Nürnberg Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 1,204

Re: Matt Schofield

You couldn´t hear Matt too often in Germany up to now, but next year April, 25th he is - with Anna Popovic opening  one of the main acts  of the Wendelstein festival (near Nürnberg).
Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Guenter's Website

  • From: The East Coast of Nowhere, UK
  • Registered: 2008-02-11
  • Posts: 2,284

Re: Matt Schofield

This newsletter just received from Matt may be of interest to those of you across the pond. Seems he may be coming your way sometime soon. Try to catch him, Joe. wink

There's also a nice tease for the Christmas gig at CSB. Should be a good one. big_smile

Hello friends, Matt here.

You usually get emails from the management team but I wanted to say a personal thank you to everyone who came out to our shows this year. We had a great time playing for you and meeting everyone. A special thanks to all of you who have signed up for our new street team and helped to spread the word for us. It really does make a difference and we truly appreciate the support.

Next stop for us is Italy, starting Thursday. We did a few wonderful festivals in Italy this summer and that gave us an appetite to return for a series of club shows.

As you may have read, we are now working with a leading booking agency in the USA, which paves the way for us to tour in America and other new locations next year. I am very excited to have the opportunity to visit those of you who have been following us from further afield.

To round off the year we are doing a special one-off show on December 23 at London's new venue, Charlotte Street Blues. I thought it would be fun to see what might happen if we put the original MS Trio and the recent MS Band together - all at the same time! So we're going to have both Monsieur Baudry and Mr Jenkins on drums (Allman Brothers style!) plus some other friends and guests on stage throughout the evening. Be good to see you there, assuming you are within reasonable distance of London. If not, hopefully we will swing by your neck of the woods sometime in 2010.

See you all soon. Cheers..............Matt

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56

18 Reply by Roger62 (edited by Roger62 2009-12-08 20:30:42)

  • From: Braintree, Essex UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-05
  • Posts: 631

Re: Matt Schofield

I was at this gig as well. Great evenings entertainment. I know Tim was chuffed to jam with Matt & the band. Matt also played at The High Barn Gt Bardfield Essex a couple of weeks previous. This occasion was being used for a live dvd recording. This I believe is being released through Nugene Records in March 2010. The band is the same as what Tripsy described in her previous excellant review. Signed poster and Heads Tails & Aces cd signatures as wellfor me after the gig.

Wooders wrote:

I saw Matt Schofield for the first time on Thursday at the Riga in Southend. Sadly, the audience was not that large at only 50-60.

Matt's set was preceded by Tim Aves, a local blues man who plays guitar, harp and sings. He also has a blues radio show on local radio. In Tim's band was Joel Frisk, from Hokey Joint, on guitar. They were quite good too.

As I'd heard good things about Matt from those who'd been to recent gigs on the current tour, I was looking forward to going and wasn't disappointed. The current line up is a stand-in bassist called Sylvan Daniel (or something like that), although Matt called him Sly D; Jonny Henderson on keys, who was very good and Alain Baudry on drums. (Apologies if spelling is incorrect.)

Definitely a blues based act, Matt's set lasted around 1hr 40mins and was:

  • What I wanna hear (the usual starter, I think)

  • Cookie Jar

  • Better Man

  • Live Wire

  • Lay it Down (nice sloooow blues)

  • Ear to the Ground

  • I Don't Know What I'd Do "a new shuffle" with Tim guesting on harp

  • Stranger Blues, the Elmore James number, with Tim on harp

  • Heart Don't need a Compass (think I heard Hendrix's 'third stone' in there)

  • Siftin' thru the Ashes, during which the other band members all had solos

  • Travelling South (encore)

I've heard it said that Matt is a guitarists guitarist and that he's technically gifted in his playing. I'd say that was pretty accurate. A very enjoyable evening and I'll definitely see him again.

Speaking to Matt afterwards, we briefly discussed his appearance at Charlotte Street Blues on 23rd December for "Matt Schofield's Blue Christmas". It seems there will be some special guests that night including two drummers on stage plus harmonica and sax players. Not sure how they'll all fit in the tiny stage at CSB, but it should be a great night. Anyone in the London and south east area should try to get along as I'm sure it will be very entertaining.

Phil

Roger
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