1 Topic by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2013-01-24 08:09:45)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Topic: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

Finally, got to see the Jon Amor Blues Group after the earlier gig at The Cluny was cancelled. Can only say, it was well worth the wait. Bordering on one of the loudest, even rivalling Philip Sayce, but one of the tightest, rockin' bands I've heard in a while.

The evening got underway with a strong set from local guys, Taylor Dixon Band which features twin lead guitar and vocals from Mr Taylor and Mr Dixon, harmonica, bass and emergency stand in drummer, Nick Colman, moonlighting from The Mentulls for the evening. Good, solid, 40 minute set of Blues standards, Crosscut Saw, some Freddie King; well executed. They went down very well, and any other night, I could have listened to them for the evening.

Then the main event; from the double-barrel opening of Holy Water and Juggernaut Jon Amor was out for a good time; seems there's mutual feeling between him and the Guisborough crowd and the additional spur of it being the band's final show of 2011. The set was drawn mostly from the new album, Make It Your Trouble, Repeat Offender, The Underdogs, She Thought I Was An Eagle as well as some from his back-catalogue that got a lot of the ladies on thier feet.

Simon, Dave and Chris were as tight as..well, one of Simon's drum skins. Dave Doherty proving a great foil on 2nd guitar. especially when he had to step in unexpectedly mid-song when Jon had to change a string. Chris prowling the stage with the bass, looking not unlike a young Jet Harris and driving things along and Simon, energetic and powerful as ever. If it was cold in the backstage area, they took no time in thawing up and warming up the 120ish audience and took them up to a rolling boil.

As 2011 peters out, so many great gigs to look back on, but this one has got to be in the top rank. How they never sold enough tickets at The Cluny escapes me, especially when they were half the price of this show. One things for certain, I'll be back; with reinforcements.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

2 Reply by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2012-10-15 09:00:35)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

Caught Jon, Simon, Dave & Chris again at Guisborough at the week-end - seems to have been a week-end for dual guitar bands.

Once again, an absolutly carcking show - the dynamics between the band is second to none. Totally different to Nimmos the night before, this is blues with a rock'n'roll, even "punky" feel in its attack, the riffs are hard, fast and tight, driven along by Chris's bass and Simon's powerhouse drumming. Jon now steps back a bit more and gives Dave Doherty the lead in a good part of the set, and the lad is well capable.

Most of the set is from  epnonymous 1st album and includes Holy Water and Juggernaut as the double-fisted opener; but in among tracks like Repeat Offender, Make it Your Trouble and the infectious She Tought I Was An Eagle we were treated to several new songs from the upcoming new album due in early November. It sounds like it's going to be another raw killer of an album. Jon and the band have definitely found a rich groove.

Always good to sit and have a bit crack with Keith and Jamie from The Mentulls - Andrew having an early night ready for the band's opening slot for Wishbone Ash at the Robin 2 the following evening. Watch out next week-end when they hit Scotland.

Mike

More dates for JABG:-
18/10 - P60, Amstelveen, NL
20/10 - Porgy & Bess, Terneuzen, NL
21/10 - Kid's Rhythm n Blues Kaffee, Antwerp, BEL
26/10 - Spider's Web, Grimsby
03/11 - Telford's Warehouse, Chester
11/11 - Carlisle Blues Festival

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

New album, Villa Del Vibro released 12/11/12, but available now for pre-order; First 1,000 limited edition!!!

Go on to Jon Amor Blues Group site to hear samples. Already heard some "live" takes last month, and sounds a very impressive album again.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

4 Reply by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2013-01-24 04:55:16)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

Heard a word that the band has folded   sad   

Managed to get on their website and its confirmed; they've decided to call it a day as a band: no further explanation given.

Damn shame, caught them a couple of times, as you can see in the thread above, and they were nothing short of awesome.

Just wish Jon, Simon, Dave & Chris all the very best in their future projects, hopefully they'll give it another go, who knows.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Ruhrpott, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 1,326

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

Sorry to hear that.
Only saw them once live last year in the Netherlands and really enjoyed the gig .
Hoped to buy the new album "Villa Del Vibro" next time they were around ... and now there's no next time ... so I ordered my copy here:
http://jonamorbluesgroup.wordpress.com/

Hope that there is a song like "Juggernaut" on it.

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

Blues Sissi wrote:

Sorry to hear that.
Only saw them once live last year in the Netherlands and really enjoyed the gig .
Hoped to buy the new album "Villa Del Vibro" next time they were around ... and now there's no next time ... so I ordered my copy here:
http://jonamorbluesgroup.wordpress.com/

Hope that there is a song like "Juggernaut" on it.

Heard a couple of the new tracks back in October when I saw them last, believe me, they were very much in the same groove as on the debut album, with a bit more "bite"; almost a Dr Feelgood punky edge.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Ruhrpott, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 1,326

Re: Jon Amor Blues Group - calling it a day.

BansheeUK wrote:
Blues Sissi wrote:

Sorry to hear that.
Only saw them once live last year in the Netherlands and really enjoyed the gig .
Hoped to buy the new album "Villa Del Vibro" next time they were around ... and now there's no next time ... so I ordered my copy here:
http://jonamorbluesgroup.wordpress.com/

Hope that there is a song like "Juggernaut" on it.

Heard a couple of the new tracks back in October when I saw them last, believe me, they were very much in the same groove as on the debut album, with a bit more "bite"; almost a Dr Feelgood punky edge.


Will give the pre-download of the album this weekend a listen ... at the moment I'm trying to boost Henrik's Crossroads buzz rating quote.