1 Topic by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2015-03-05 06:56:57)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Topic: Doncaster Blues Festival

Okay then - Solid Entertainments 1st festival of 2013 took place at Doncaster Dome on Sunday.

By the time I got there, Burnley’s Lucy Zirins was a lone figure, centre of a massive looking stage, holding forth on a National Steel and half way through her set. A light touch on the instrument and a very clear voice kind of touched the “inner Joni Mitchell”, certainly a good feel for Blues and deserving of the plaudits she’s gathering.

Next up was a bit of a surprise, late entry; a couple of songs from Macclesfield based “Guitar” George (or the original “Sultan of Swing”). With his care-worn voice, he kept the acoustic vibe going until the billed AVIT Blues Band took to the stage after generously giving George 15 minutes of their allotted time. Certainly gave a shock to the system after the gentle stuff with their stomping boogie. These guys are Doncaster based and have an impressive playing and musical credentials between them on the circuits, Clive Johns on drums, brothers Nathan & Matt Ferguson on bass & lead guitar and Dave Bronson on vocals/rhythm guitar. Good rousing set of Blues and Soul.

Taking us to the midpoint was Laurence Jones Band. After he impressed at Sedgefield last year, I have to admit Laurence was one of the reasons I was excited about this bill. The young trio hit the stage running, and don’t let this fresh-faced youngster fool you; he’s the real deal. In a really strong set, the stand out had to be the album title-track, Thunder In The Sky - almost reaching Gary Moore levels in ambition and execution.

Kicking off the evening session was Aynsley Lister; a bit of a surprise to be mid-point on the billing, but a bit of crafty planning. I’ve said for a while, I’d hate to be in a band that followed 1 Nimmo, so who better to put 2 Nimmos on their mettle? Only given 60 minutes, this set was Aynsley Concentrate - all the strength, but half the size: we got Insatiable, Feeling Good, Posession and Inside Out as well as What’s It All About and Early Morning Dew. Time limits meant no Purple Rain encore, but I for one was happy that Hero was still in the set. Have to say, Boneto is now making his mark as fixture on the drumstool, adding new twists to some of the patterns. Good to see and finally meet Icon. Should have guessed who this long figure with camera was, long before Steph did the introductions.

So, if Aynsley was a Peregrin Falcon, then The Nimmo Brothers are a pair of Golden Eagles. They took the stage and 90 minutes seemed to romp by in the blink of an eye. Hard to know where to begin; if you haven’t been “Nimmo-ed”; why not? And if you have, then you know how these guys like to lay it down, thunderous, with a touch of soul. Alan had not long shaken Hartlepool, and not with brother Steve, they did the same to Doncaster. Some in the audience were asking about Steve’s health - judging by the dispaly they gave, come along in September when they are touring again.

Closing the proceedings, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash. Once again, as headliner, he was left with the challenge of following a Nimmo onslaught armed only with Wishbone Ash back catalogue. Unfortunately, with a long drive and early morning ahead, I didn’t wait too long to find out the outcome; perhaps someone else did….........

Really, really good day organised by the Solid Entertainment team: strong, varied bill, well-priced managed to attract 250 -300 from Doncaster and beyond. Good choice of venue, good crowd, cool vibe throughout the day. Good to see the bands taking time to check each other out - probably the only chance they get to meet up and take in a gig themselves.

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...

2 Reply by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2015-03-06 06:37:41)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: Doncaster Blues Festival

Well, almost exactly 2 yours after the previous visit, Aynsley gathered the chaps, including a new face deputising on the keyboards for a return gig at Doncaster Dome. Andre being on other duties was being covered by none other than Bennett Holland (well, when you set the bar so high…...).

Starting the day was a young guitar-slinger (and big hat wearer) Luke Doherty, who pounded out some very tasty riffs from his own growing catalogue, as well as some well polished standards, a good covering of All Along The Watchtower, King Bee and a powerful Hendrix medley of Voodoo Chile and Purple Haze, with the lad on the drums getting in touch with his inner Cozy Powell using Dance With the Devil as a segue between the 2 numbers.

Next up, and also returning to the scene of the crime for a re-run were local rockin’ blues band AVIT. This is a super band of well-seasoned guys who lay down a rockin’ blues that sweeps over as relentlessly as a tidal wave - you can run, but you can’t hide. Really hard to pick out any set highlight, these guys are a joy from start to finish.

AVIT Blues Band - Hammer & Nail:-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QgpP8c63NU

Someone must have forgot to close the gate from Wales, as the next band up were the Mark Pontin Group; a power trio that’s well worth catching, and really live-up to the “power trio” epithet. Mark’s guitar roars like an avalanche, Daffyd’s drumming was like wild horses stampeding, and Alan’s bass was like a thundering locomotion. However, there was a brief respite when they cut into Albert King’s Cross-cut Saw, to prove not only great dexterity, but their blues credentials. Along with Luke Doherty, they’re out to prove that Blues in South Wales very much has a pulse.

Mark Pontin - Traffic Light:-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtEd5AZPB3M

In a complete change of direction, London band Little Devils were up next; bringing a class in Jump Blues to those who’s heads were still ringing after Mark Pontin’s assault. We already know never to overlook girl drummers in a band, but we also got a lead singer who had a “hot mama” of a voice and she also knew her way round a tenor sax and the first flute of the evening too.

Little Devils - Don't Close The Door:-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjnDY4SvVU

Then Aynsley’s turn to take the stage, and when Big Sleep is the opener, you know that NOBODY will be sleeping. Really, sharp, powerful set with great swathes of Hammond sound from the corner occupied by a beaming Mr. Holland. Boneto behind the kit, rock-solid as ever, driving things along; Steve on bass, as ever, chilled, relaxed, lithe. Home just erupted, Hyde bounced along, Sugar was the first of the keyboard/guitar interplays was superb, until Tore Down came along and Aynsley & Bennett were just in-the-zone by then. Purple Rain brought the house down, as ever, followed by a “if we left the stage, this would be our encore” run of Possession that got the set a standing ovation.

Aynsley Lister - Hyde 2612:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_kxUW9W9NA

And finally, the headliners, the legend that is Focus. After a slight delay in setting up, and a hastily loaned Marshall amp for the guitarist Menno Gootjes from Aynsley, the venerable old Hammond fired up to the strains of Focus 1, before the anthemic House of The King (okay, who listened to it and thought “hmm Saxondale”?) A full, live take of Eruption followed soon after.

About then, I had to take my leave as the Pena-colada Lucozade was giving out by then, but the entire day was a fantastic event; no band disappointed, the atmosphere was great if slightly relaxed though numbers were down on the previous visit. As a punter, the venue is a gem, spacious, clean, well-run, easy-to-find and ample parking - and not over-charging on the sundries. When you think, 6 bands as good as this; is there a better way to spend £20 and a Sunday afternoon? If there is, please tell me.

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...