I have a slight problem. I think I’m missing out on something. I’ve just had my seventy-third birthday and I’m still waiting for the mid-life crisis. What’s going on? Must be something in the water. Now a little voice in my head pipes up and says it’s more likely something in the booze. Whatever! Now, where was I before I rudely interrupted myself? Oh yes, my birthday. For all of you who meant to send cards but didn’t, it was actually on the second of October. But do I care. Yes! Continue reading →

I went to the Round Midnight gig of Mike Pigott and as it was the first time I’d been there, I was a bit disappointed when Gigi and I walked in, as there weren’t many people there. However despite the Tube Strike and the heavy rain, the place began to fill up. I sat in for a few numbers too, so I enjoyed the place. It is still a proper pub but it is also a good music venue so two for the price of one. I’ll definitely be going back. Continue reading →

A week or so ago, Gigi and I went to stay with some old friends of mine in Kent. There was a gig at a local pub and another friend of mine, fiddle player Mike Piggot, was playing in a trio. I was invited to sit in for a few numbers and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mike is an amazing player and has worked with me in the past on guitar as well as fiddle. He’s due to do a gig at Round Midnight in London on September 6^th so I intend to be there. The country air meant that we slept in until 11am the next day…or was it the wine? Continue reading →

The gig at the Inn on the Green has been cancelled this month as things are getting hectic with the carnival coming up and the repair work hadn’t been completed, when I callede in the other day, though it probably is by now. We’ll be back there for the September gig on the 19^th. I’ll be able to get some spending money for Thailand. Should be enough… Continue reading →

Tomorrow night, Saturday 7^th August, I’m doing a gig with Gordon Smith, Jim Mercer and Dino Coccia in East Putney. It’s a charity gig in aid of a heart foundation and has been organised by George Taylor, who’s brother Geof died a year ago of heart failure. Geof was a regular at Bob’s goodtime blues at the Station tavern when that venues was thriving. He also acted as Gordon Smith’s manager for a time. It is hoped that other musicians will be performing so it should be a good evening. Continue reading →

A while back, I met Top Topham for a drink or three in the Portobello Gold and as we reminisced he showed me some photographs from our gigs at the Station Tavern. My memories were mostly of the anti-authoritarian attitude which I’ve carried for most of my life and of how it has affected my music career specifically. I ended the conversation with the phrase “A rebel without a pause“ and immediately decided that it would be a possible title for a Cd. We then mulled over the idea and decided that maybe a country blues project with Chris Youlden and perhaps a pianist like Bob Hall would be good. Needless to say we haven’t pursued it further, though who knows? Continue reading →

When we played at the Oval just over a week ago we got a warm enough response from the diminished audience; it seems that some of the regulars had absconded across the channel in support of Graeme and Sam Kelly’s little jaunt. In fact the absence of Graeme meant that Gigi and I got away quicker than usual. In fact we didn’t even take the train as we got a lift back with out dep bassman, Brian Diprose, who lives not too far away from us. Continue reading →

Having attended the Muddy Waters tribute night and missed the Cyril Davies memorial night I wonder how many more musos are going to organise memorial or tribute nights. I seem to remember doing a Junior Wells one, for a start. I’m reminded of this because I recently received some promotional flyers for the Chicago Blues Festival from June 11th to 13th, which this year celebrates the centenary of Howlin’ Wolf, whose birthday was apparently on June 10th. Also mentioned in the flyer are Little Walter’s birthday, on May 1st and Robert Johnson’s birthday or what would have been his 99th birthday on May 8th. I’ve no doubt we shall be seeing more celebrations of these dates over here next year. Personally, I’ve given up celebrating my birthday, you‘ll all be pleased to know. Continue reading →

I keep getting reminded that I haven’t entered anything here lately, so I’d better get my finger out. I went down to the Oval in East Croydon for the annual Muddy Waters remembrance gig and did a couple or three numbers with Chris Youlden on vocals along with the house band. Apparently I also got up for the finale but I have no recollection of that. I am assured by Gigi that that was so, but whilst I gradually recovered some of the memory of how we got home, the finale still eludes my hardly overworked brain. Continue reading →

March’s gig at the Inn on the Green with Top Topham depping for Bernie Pallo on guitar sounded great and all the band enjoyed the vibe. It’s great that we can get people to fit so easily into the band without any rehearsal and let them add their own distinctive contribution, giving each line up a unique collaboration. Thanks again to Top. Continue reading →

The February gig at the Inn on the Green was as quiet as February gigs always are, but enjoyed by the afficianados, netherthe less. Afficianados? No that’s not another name for the band, you’ll be pleased to know.  We’ve been trying out a different PA System so maybe we can improve Chris’s vocal balance which one of you out there commented on. Hope we are getting it right.  We appreciate constructive feed back, so thanks to any of you that comment, especially when it’s polite. Continue reading →

We enjoyed another interesting gig at the Oval Tavern a week or so ago. Pete Miles depped on drums for Dino Coccia and Alan Vincent was on guitar. Chris Youlden was back with us after his illness and Jim Mercer was on bass.We had a good time and so did some other people, which was where the interesting thing comes in. Continue reading →