Thoughts from the Margot Fonteyn Ballroom;
Bit posher sounding than Durham Blues Festival review, int’it? As Oli Brown observed, an indoor festival and the sun decides to shine on Durham. Still, it didn’t spoil the fun. Long, long time since I was at The Dunelm for a gig – put it this way, it was The Thompson Twins and there were 7 of them. Dunelm is a cracking venue, even if it does feel that you’re descending down into the land of the morlocks: a feeling that’s dispelled by the view of the river getting closer at each level. Two flights of stairs had you at the “Blues Cafe” stage; semi-acoustic with lounge-chairs and a further flight took you down to the main room with capacity for 5-600 standing.
Anyway, enough blather, onto the main event. First up was local boys Mitch Laddie Trio (with Rhian & Matt) Most of Mitch’s set was pulled from his recently released 2nd album, and why not, it’s a really strong work. Time Is Running Away and Paper In Your Pocket were two hard rockin’ salvos as well as Gettin’ It Right from the album. He then slowed down for his showcase Mr Johnson Revisited, demonstrating he has a softer side, before a blazing Hendrix cover finale. It was a shame the time limitation (and the fact he was shooting off for an evening gig in Halifax) meant we didn’t get his tour-de-force Inner City Blues but even as opening act for the day, he still pulled a sizeable crowd.
Next up was Henrik Freischlader & band. Have to say, I too was anticipating Henrik’s debut here in the North east and I noticed Oli Brown and band were hanging round stage right to watch agood bit of Henrik’s set. Boy! was he worth it. Again, pulling a good part of the set from another very strong recent album, we were treated to a run through of Still Frame Replay which was great even without Joe B’s backing as on the album, and Longer Days. Vox speakers and Realtone amps have rarely sounded sweeter with a Les Paul, especially combined with a real Hammond C3. Henrik and band, Theofilos Fotiadis, Moritz Fuhrhop and Bjorn Kruger played their hearts out over the 1 hour set, but Henrik had a 5th band member come secret weapon, Martin Meinschafer on the mixing desk. Having heard Hernik’s Peter Green and Etta James covers though, I bet a muffin like me could have been on the sound desk and he’d still have sounded fantastic. Breakout from the previous album was astounding in its build up, but “goosebump” take of the day was And the Messiah will Return; this wasn’t a Gary Moore cover; this had every nuance of the late great. I’d swear he was in the wings, stage left, nodding approval. Any local promoters that aren’t looking to book this band round here soon, you want your heads seeing to.
Next up, the stalwart Connie Lush & Blues Shouter; and the gremlins struck. Poor Connie had to go through 3 microphones in 2 songs before things went smoothly for her. Highlight of the set was during Shoppin’ when it broke down to an almost acapella between Connie and drummer Carl Woodward(?) and a sort of duel with Nobody’s Fault But Mine. Think Connie was still a little thrown by the microphone incidents, but if anyone on stage through the day looked like they were enjoying themselves it had to be Carl.
Oli Brown up next, and like Mitch, has put out one of the strongest albums of the year so far, and he sort of picked up where Mitch left off – he rocked!! Here I Am was the opening volley and the source of much of Oli’s hour; Manic Bloom, You Can Only Blame Yourself and Mr. Wilson from that album and the blistering Black Keys cover. Heads I Win was visited twice, Speechless and Evil Soul. Unusually, the band was set up on stage, line abreast, rather than drums to the back, and Oli wasn’t on radio transmitter, so we didn’t get the usual walkabout.
Next question; was Wayne Proctor going to “hot-stool” and drum the King King set? No, it wasn’t his usual Slingerland kit, but a Ludwig set and it was moved back and taken over by Jamie Little. That’s the thing about King King, after Alan Nimo and Lindsay Coulson, you never know who else will be along, but the still blaze away. I still wish I could catch the name of the London-based keyboard player, as like his Sheffield counter-parts, he’s a great foil for Alan Nimmo’s guitar. As you’d expect, King King rolled a mighty set from the Take My Hand album and the E.P. cut 6 In The Morning. Maybe I’ve seen King King a little too often over the last couple of years, but I’m feeling now that I should be hearing something new. That said, I never fail to come away with my ears ringing and a big grin. Again, you could argue that even with the extra time given to bands due to Robin Trower pulling out, we could have done with more time for the band to have given us Feels Like Rain as well as their epic Old Love take.
So, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash – words to raise more spirited debate than Cheryl Cole’s singing. It’s one debate though I’ll be taking no part in. Whatever version of the band folk support; despite assured musicianship, they’re one band that never floated my boat, so I decided it was time to head for sustenance and made my exit.
I’d say King King had the biggest crowd of what I saw of the day, Oli & Henrik about equal second and Mitch not far behind them.
Sadly, I didn’t get much chance to check out the Blues Cafe stage, I noticed Bishop FM’s Gary Grainger hovering round, so maybe he made good report yesterday evening. My thoughts overall: it was sad that Robin Trower had to cancel, but for my thinking, 6 bands over the day were more than enough. Anymore and I’d have been looking to an earlier start rather than reduce set times. Talking with one of the organisers on the way out, numbers were down from last year; whether that’s down to line-up, or competing with Euro Football and Red Hot Chilli Peppers up the road at Sunderland, I couldn’t say. Happily though, they are determined to do a third fest at Durham next year. (My suggestions, Aynsley, VATA, Vintage Trouble, Jon Amor........) For £25 though, what a great value day, and The Dunelm, what a cracker of a venue.
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...
