Guisborough R'n'B Festival 5-6 May 2012

Popped along on Sunday evening to catch the last half of Guisborough R’n'B Club’s annual bash; their first since the passing of originator Ralph Waring last year.

If you don’t know Guisborough’s bash, there are two bands on the Saturday night, like a regular club night, and 6 bands on through the Sunday, starting around lunchtime and going on until a “billed” 11pm, though this years headliner pushed it about 20 minutes past.

I didn’t manage the Saturday evening, Tom Attah opening, and yet again I missed Chantel McGregor, so if anyone can say how that went….

Sunday kicked off with Steel River Blues Band and Chantel returning to do an acoustic set before Connie Lush & Blues Shouter brough the afternoon to a close. Again, I didn’t get down for those sets, but when I did get there I noticed one or two picnic baskets of fans who were obviously there for the long haul.

6pm, the evening session got underway with what I suppose you’d call a local blues supergroup, Big Boss Men. Recognised most of them from other local bands, so whether they’re something new or a special collaberation for the event spring from Guisborough’s Black Swan Monday jams, I can’t say. What I can say is that the played some storming covers and one or two originals and set a good tone for the night. Next up were The Producers, who at first seemed to be dogged by a little bad luck - stage light smashing, set list lost, no time to change and Harry Skinner’s amp refusing to squeak. yeah, but isn’t Blues about dealing with adversity? Big Boss Man, Jez Taylor earned the “Hero of the Event” award, wheeling his amp back on stage for Harry to plug into, and he gave it a serious workout. Good as BBM are, The Producers took it up another league, their Albert King take on The Hunter is still ringing in my ears.

The Producers could easily have headed the night, but that honour fell to Hamilton Loomis. Where to start with this guy? he has a presence and personality that lights up a room and he just loves playing so much, think he should pay us. This time round he has his American band, except no Stratton Doyle, so we didn’t get the guitar/sax duel, but the guy was no slouch on the sax, Ham-bone was on great form and Kent & Ryan on bass & drum respectively were brilliant. As the ceiling at Guisborough is so low, there was no table walk, but Ham-bone did have 2 walk rounds. Slow Lover morphed into a powerhouse Tush, My Pen, Build Me A Castle: we got 4 new songs from the forthcoming new album including 99 Miles From Nowhere, crowd favourite Bow Wow anda rousing Gettin’ My Blues On dedicated to Ralph.

At the end, a great evening’s entertainment; I’d guess the rest of the event went the same. However, I must say that I was surprised at the turn-out; barely two-thirds full. You have to wonder whether it’s because of clashes with other Blues events like Burnley or TV sporting fixtures or whether the pricing is too high. Saturday alone is £12, then add £35 for all day Sunday or £20 just for Sunday evening. I’d guess their hands are tied as it’s not a big venue, so they have to charge to attract names, due to lack of numbers they can accomodate. That’s said, I don’t want to end negatively, Kath and the team, as ever did a great organisational job; the ladies in the kitchen did their legendary chilli, which was apt for the cool day, and their corned beef or cheese toasties revived flagging spirits in the evening.

In all, a good way to spend a Bank Holiday Week-end; roll on next year.

Mike

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