Wooders - no matter how good the Mule might have been, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time as Davey Knowles would say.
The Blues Assembly one day mini festival was awsome.
Great performances from great artists - superb venue - sound quality the best I've heard anywhere this year - and some great company too with a healthy gathering of bonabuddies in attendance! The second best gig I’ve been to this year (if you need to know what the best is you shouldn’t be reading this).
Joanne Shaw Taylor kicked off with a storming set that set the tone for the rest of the day - even losing a guitar string halfway through her second song never made her flinch - if you hadn't been up close and seen it go, you would never have known.
Can't wait to see her again at the Robin this week. On this showing Joanne really should have been higher up the running order.
Gwyn Ashton was next with his Two Man Blues Army - a really talented guitarist who took us through some very different blues styles, including some lap slide playing - the highlight was a storming version of "When the Levee Breaks" on his electric resonator.
Buddy Whittington took to the stage a few minutes late, having been held up in traffic, but showed why he is so highly regarded. The guy just makes it look so easy - great voice, and great feel and phrasing in his guitar playing - a real pro bluesguy.
After a short break, Oli Brown came on and delighted the crowd with his set. This young fella just gets better every time I see him. Suffered a few problems with his mic stand wilting, and then the mic itself breaking down, but Oli's stagecraft is so well developed these days, that he was able to make light of the issue and keep things going. He also enjoyed some lively banter with the crowd, who were buzzing after his set. He even gave a mention to our very own Cathy, who was very vocal during Oli’s set I have to say, and will henceforth be known as “AhyoumustbeCathy”. 
(Can you believe our resident witch even smokes “Salem” cigarettes ?)
Just as well, the king of the banter was up next, and this was the first time I'd seen Ian Seigal live. This guy is a born entertainer. Less focus on the guitar with Ian, but the songs, and moreso Ian's delivery of them, had the crowd enthralled. Ian is now fimly on my "must see" list for future gigs.
Next up was Aynsley Lister and his band. This band is so "on it" right now. A sensational set - I can't remember exactly, but Duncan was scribbling away over my shoulder so he can fill in the gaps. "What's It All About" brought the house down. The slide work on "In the Morning" was wicked and "Hero" just rocks on that Les Paul. "Hush" wound the set up and had the audience hoping for more.
I'm slightly embarrassed to say many of us didn't hang around for the Yardbirds set.
Having not eaten for about eight hours we were starving, but our appetite for good blues music had been satisfied by the cream of the current crop of Britsh blues artists, with a little side dish from the USA and Oz!.
All that with the bonus of spending a little more time in the company of some great forum buddies over a late curry. One thing that always gets me when a group of us get together is that it seems like I’m with long time friends, even though I only started posting on here this year. It’s hard to believe how something like Joe’s music can pull the strings to make that happen.
Cheers guys!
Ian
PS The lovely Tripsy was in attendance, so expect to see some links to Youtube posted shortly - also the not so lovely Martin (mbcl) managed to wangle a press photopass, so there should be some spectacular stills on the interweb soon.
Please be in no doubt that this is the REAL ME! Beware imposters........................
Still have to sort a room, though. The Travelodge is full.
