1 Topic by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2012-03-26 05:55:30)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,670

Topic: Giles Robson & The Dirty Aces - Darlington 23/3/12

Since the Crooked Heart album recieved such high praise in Classic Rock magazine I was curious to check out these guys even though I’m not a great fan of “old school” blues. However, chance came round and I’m glad I took it; they gave Darlington a shufflin’ boogie filled night to remember.

Obviously, they’re going to draw comparison with Hokie Joint, both being strong on the harmonica, but I’d say Hoikes are harmonica driven, while Dirty Aces are harmonica lead. Sort the semantics out between yourselves. These guys though have a strong Chicago roots, hence a lot of Chicago “shuffle” or as we learned, “lump” and treated us to some great covers of John Lee Hooker and Otis Spann (okay even I know he was a pianist) in the form of Dollar & A Quarter. Goes without saying, there was a Sonny Boy Williamson song - Steady Rollin’ Man. Giles also treated us to the harp man’s stock in trade, the train impression solo, supposedly inspired by a train ride to Falmouth but sounded more like the speeded up trip to Brighton you used to get as an intermission (so I’m told….). Rest of the set was drawn from the album as well as the odd track from the earlier E.P. Mighty Incinerator lived up to its name, the gospel Devil Led Evil was a bit of a highlight, Keep On Diggin, Some Kinda King and Stick To The Promise also stood out. Hard to think of a track that didn’t; even the cover of House Of The Rising Sun at break neck speed.

Filip Koslowski on guitar provided a perfect foil to Giles’ harmonica, matching and sometimes leading but never overpowering. Ian Jennings worked hard on the “dog-house” bass, giving some great lines and all tied together by Mike Hellier’s drumming. Vocally, Giles is in a class of his own, swapping from a harp run, he’s going to sound breathless at times, sometimes phrases are half-spoken rather than sung, but the important thing si that it works, works well in fact. In all, the guys gave an “authentic” sound without trying to slavishly “immitate” and manage to stay contemporary.

For their Darlington “debut” they managed to bring in about 75 to the Garden Bar room, so not a bad turn out. In all, a band worth watchin’ out for.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,670

Re: Giles Robson & The Dirty Aces - Darlington 23/3/12

No gigs for nearly a month, since Jim Suhler, I was getting pretty itchy to get back out for some "live" music, so dropped down to Guisborough R'n'B club to catch Giles and the Dirty Aces again after their crackin' show at Darlington.

Surprisingly for Guisborough, there was no support band this evening. The gig was for a short time billed as a double-header with Jay Tamkin, but that was changed about 6 weeks ago. So, we got two blazing 45 minute sets from Giles: not greatly changed from earlier this year, though the set order had been juggled so that the 1st half started with a bang then slowed and built for the 2nd set to explode with Chicago stomp. We were even given a sneaky preview of some of the new material the guys are working on in the studio in Jersey (as in Channel Islands, not the NEW one....) and it's a full-tilt blues boogie. That said, the working of Steady Rollin' Man with just Giles on harp & vocals and Ian Jennings on doghouse bass has to be heard - superb stuff. You can't miss out Filip Koslowski's guitar, threading between Giles' vocals & harp and at times was giving some searing slide work. Put Mike Hellier's drumming with Ian Jenning's bass and you've got one of the best rhythm sections and backlines going.

Only downside for the night, audience numbers were well-down from Guisborough's usual; probably down to summer holidays as much as that sporting event but it also coincided with nearby Stockton's big Riverside festival and the night's headliners, The Pogues, maybe tempting folks away. However, good to see that organisers from other nearby Blues Clubs, Redcar, Saltburn and my local, Sedgefield checking the band out, as well as good company from Keith and Andrew representing The Mentulls, taking a break from recording and a rapidly filling tour schedule.

Getting away from the heavily guitar led bands, these guys are something of a tonic; really good "Chicago" feel, but somehow more contemporary; well worth checking out if you haven't already.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...