The Producers (NOT Mel Brooks...) Darlington R'n'B Club 15/6/12

So, penultimate gig for Darlington’s R’n'B club at their long-term home, the Arts Centre Garden Bar, and the return of old friends to the venue. The Producers were regulars at Darlington before their split back in 2000, the days my ears were elsewhere, and after their event stealing turn at the town’s Rhythm & Brews Festival in September 2011 they made a welcome return to the town.

First half of the set was dominated by tracks from the new album, London Blues and showcased the interplay between Harry Skinner’s guitar and Ray Drury’s keyboards. The keyboards are the new element in the bands reformation, formerly they had a harp player, but from the way they played, you’d think this has how it’s always been. The music isn’t eplosive but rather a hot smolder with occassional sparks jumping out. I’d put Harry Skinner’s voice in a Clapton-esque manner, as with his guitar work, but with references from Albert King to Freddie King. It’s not quite Chicago Blues, or Texas, or New Orleans or St Louis, so I guess its what they call it on the CD - London Blues; and a fine brew it is.

Second half of the show had the guys going through past highlights and geting the packed Garden bar up and going even more. Highlight for me was when Harry changed to Danelectro guitar for a slide instrumental piece with Polinesian overtones…well come on, one earlier track had some reggae going down. Then he tore into Elmore James’ Mules. You can nver overlook the backline to a band like this, and Dave Saunders and Biff Smith are as solid and experienced a pair of pros as you could hope to have.

Had the band been missed in Darlington over their absence? Sounded like it. Were they welcome back? Definitely. Will they be welcome at the Blues Club’s new venue? Abso-bleedin’-lutely!!!

Mike.

Want to catch them yourselves? Here you go:-

Thursday 21 June 2012
Alexanders Jazz Cafe + Bar
Rufus Court, Chester.  CH1 2JW
Friday 22 June 2012
Bronte Blues Club
Laycock Village Hall, nr Keighley, Yorks BD22 0PH
Saturday 23 June 2012
The Greystones
Greystones Rd, Sheffield S11 7BS
Sunday 24 June 2012 The Box @ Royal Hotel
Nantwich Rd, Crewe, Cheshire.  CW2 6AG
Monday 25 June 2012
The Norman Knight
Whichford, Nr Shipston on Stour, Warks. (Cotswolds)  CV36 5PE
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Bottleneck Blues Club
Roffen Suite, 41 New Rd, Rochester, Kent ME1 1DX
Thursday05 July 2012
Dorchester Arts Centre (Acoustic)
School Lane, The Grove, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XR
Friday 06 July 2012
Dorchester Arts Centre (Electric)
School Lane, The Grove, Dorchester, Dorset.  DT1 1XR
Saturday 21 July 2012
Ealing Blues Festival
Walpole Park, Ealing, London
Sunday (2-5pm) 22 July 2012
Upton upon Severn Blues Festival
Upton upon Severn. Worc   
Harry + Dave play an acoustic duo set followed on the main stage by the Producers playing an electric set.
Wednesday 05 September 2012
Harry Skinner & Dave Saunders
Southill Rd Arts Centre, Bracknell, Surrey. 
Saturday 08 September 2012
Warrington Blues Festival
Warrington, Cheshire
Saturday 06 October 2012
Festival Blues Bretagne
Belle-Isle-en-Terre, Brittany, France
Friday 16 November 2012
The Exchange
Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, Dorset.  DT10 1FH
Friday30 November 2012
Square and Compass
Windmill Hill, Ashill, Nr Illminster TA19 9NX
Saturday 01 December 2012
Dolton Hall,
Nr Great Torrington, Devon.
Friday07 December 2012
Chapel Arts Centre
9 Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR
Saturday 08 December 2012
Boogaloo Weekend Blues Bonanza
Heathlands Hotel, Bournemouth