Topic: Charlotte Street Blues Club
Has anybody on the forum been to the Charlotte Street Blues Club in Central London?
If so do you recommend it.
Jeff
To Live's To Fly
- jeffcope
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Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
eldo's been there already and we'll both be there tonight. I'll let you know what I think when I've recovered. 
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
“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
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Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
http://www.charlottestblues.com/
CSB is a 5 minute walk from London’s Oxford Street and is at the northern end of a mixture of pubs, clubs and restaurants in Charlotte Street, W1.
The venue has been recently refurbished and on the ground floor has a small dining area at the front, a bar in the middle and a small stage at the rear. Seating is at small pub type tables and chairs and all along one wall are old fashioned car bench seats from some good quality vehicles.
Wide stairs lead from near the front of the stage up to an upstairs lounge area with a great view of the stage and another bar and cosy room with some erotic art on the walls. The seating in the lounge area overlooking the stage includes some comfy wicker (Lloyd Loom type) armchairs and small tables. The mixing desk is adjacent to this area but the sound, as is often the case from vantage points above the stage of many venues, does leave something to be desired. The vocals were a little indistinct for Jay Tamkin’s set on 31st July and it was very difficult to hear his intros and other comments between numbers. Downstairs in front of the stage the sound was much better and not too loud.
It appears that the majority of the “audience” were not there to see the artist, but were there purely for a drink, possibly before going on to a club for the night. Certainly most didn’t seem to be paying much attention to Jay and his band, which was very disappointing.
The stage is pretty small and is fine for a trio, but I don’t know how a larger band would manage (John Mayall, presumably with his five piece band was due to play there earlier in the week). There’s a pic of the stage here: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/clubs/charl … 60119.html
As you can see, it looks pretty crowded with a six piece.
A pint of Bud is a typical west end price of £3.20. I don’t know about other drinks or the price of food, but I think these may be available on the website.
All in all, CSB is a good addition to the London blues scene and I’m looking forward to many more visits. If you do go to CSB make sure you obtain a free membership card which will entitle you to reduced admission. Your e-mail address for their mailing list is all that's required.
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
“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
- maggie
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Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
I also went to see Jay Tamkin on 31st and think that Phil has said it all really. Great venue which I look forward to visiting again. Interesting programme for the coming weeks - sorry to be away next weekend so will miss Simon McBride.
Maggie
- jeffcope
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Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
Thanks for the review Phil. I'll try it out.
Jeff
To Live's To Fly
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Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
Hi Jeff (and everyone else),
One thing I forgot to mention is that, presumably in an attempt to keep the drinkers in the bar, the management wanted Jay to play 3 x 30 minutes sets over three hours, but fortunately this was rejected in favour of 2 x 45 minute sets. Be aware that management may try to impose this policy on other artists that you see at CSB.
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
“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
Re: Charlotte Street Blues Club
I went there last night to play at the blues jam, run by Sam Hare. I've been to quite a few blues jams in London since I've been here and this one is so far the best, spacious and comfortable venue (unlike ain't nothin but a blues bar), better sound mix than the other blues jams and a higher standard of playing as well. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and something which will be come weekly for me I reckon!
-Jess
Check out my band Beth and The Black Cat Bones http://www.myspace.com/bethandtheblackcatbones
Also my own page for my guitar playing http://www.myspace.com/jesszub
Check out my band Beth and The Black Cat Bones http://www.myspace.com/bethandtheblackcatbones
Also my own page for my guitar playing http://www.myspace.com/jesszub