Ian Siegal in UK

We had a treat of a show up here last night - Ian Siegal, solo, apart from 2 acoustic guitars (his National Steel and “Darlene”).

I’m going to say straight off, this was one of the very best solo, acoustic shows I have seen, even if Stockton ARC does lack the atmosphere of places like The Cluny where Ian played the night before. Ian’s voice has the gravitas of Johnny Cash but a flexibility that is amazing as it is soulful and passionate. if it has been rested for a few months, as Ian said while tuning a nervous Darlene, it’s paid off.

The night kicked off with Silver Spurs from The Dust, which was to be the backbone of the evening’s set, though Ian forgoes the formality of an actual set list, keeping the audience on its toes. Bob Dylan standards rubbed against Elvis Costello as well as traditional blues and some gospel and country! Don’t now how Ian does it, but he makes anything he gets hold of sound more Baton Rouge than New Brighton yet still retains a more Bangers an’ Mash attitude than Catfish an’ Grits. I Drink shone out as a superb song and Ian shifted into overdrive for a 4 song tribute - the word "medely" just doesn't cut what Ian put into this section of the show - to the recently past Big George, a former mentor.

Humour-wise, Ian was is sparkling form, his Dean Martin one-liners, and tales of the Blues "Taliban". We got 2 sets, totalling just shy of 2 hours to a mid-week house of 150+. Look out Robin2 tonight, which will be the last “solo” show until the 10th May - between times he’s doing some gigs with the Mudbloods.

Wed, 1 May 2013 Robin2; Bilston, United Kingdom - Solo

Thu, 2 May 2013 P60; Amstelveen, Netherlands
with the Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson   
Fri, 3 May 2013 Iduna; Drachten, Netherlands
with the Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson   
Sat, 4 May 2013 Eventhalle Westpark; Ingolstadt, Germany
with the Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson. 
Sun, 5 May 2013 Gouden Leeuw; Dongen, Netherlands
with the Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson   
Mon, 6 May 2013 Spirit of 66; Verviers, Belgium
with the Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson   
Wed, 8 May 2013 The Garage; London, United Kingdom
with The Mississippi Mudbloods featuring Cody & Luther Dickinson

Fri, 10 May 2013 Arlington Arts Centre; Newbury, United Kingdom - Solo   
Sat, 11 May 2013 Ashcroft Arts Centre; Fareham, Hants United Kingdom - solo   
Tue, 14 May 2013 The Engine Shed; Lincoln, United Kingdom - Solo   
Wed, 15 May 2013 The Approach; Nottingham, United Kingdom - Solo   
Thu, 16 May 2013 The Greystones; Sheffield, United Kingdom - Solo   
Fri, 17 May 2013 Cabin 5150; Macclesfield, United Kingdom - Solo   
Wed, 22 May 2013 Clubhouse Zeilkring KZG / CRV; Grimbergen, Belgium - Solo
Thu, 23 May 2013 Crossroad olen; Olen, Belgium - Solo   
Sat, 25 May 2013 Cafe De Zwerver; Leffinge-Middelkerke, Belgium - Solo   
Sun, 26 May 2013 Cambrinus Muziekpodium; Horst, Netherlands - solo   
Mon, 27 May 2013 Meneer Frits; Enindhoven, Netherlands - solo   
Tue, 28 May 2013 Cultuurhuis Heerlen; Heerlen, Netherlands - solo
Wed, 29 May 2013 Kobuci Kert; Budapest, Hungary - w/The Braindogs   
Thu, 30 May 2013 IH RENDEZVÉNYKÖZPONT; Szeged, Hungary - w/The Braindogs   
Fri, 31 May 2013 Zsolnay Kulturalis Negyed; Pecs, Hungary - w/The Braindogs   
Sat, 1 June 2013 Werkstatt Murberg; Enzelsdorf, Austria - w/The Braindogs   
Thu, 27 June 2013 Lamar Lounge; Oxford, Mississippi United States - solo, and duo with Alvin Youngblood Hart   
Sat, 29 June 2013 North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic; Holly Springs, MS United States - Solo performance and jams   
Sat, 21 September 2013 Blues Open; Geldrop, Netherlands - Solo. Special event with Tony Joe White to mark 10th anniversary of the Blues Open in Geldrop.   
Fri, 18 October 2013 Beverley Blues Festival; Beverley, United Kingdom - Solo