Author: Roger Regular
Spring Blues 2009: Review
Tuesday, 24th March, 2009 at 11:56 am, Isle of Wight
Many thanks for friend of VentnorBlog, Roger Regular for sending in his review and photos of the Spring Blues 2009 event that took place last Saturday night at the Ventnor Winter Gardens. Ed
Having Amen Promotions involved in bringing Blues to the Island ensures quality events.
Saturday was no exception.
The first day of spring was well and truly ushered in with the 5th annual Spring Blues concert at Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The evening kicked off with Clive Thomas and his 12 string acoustic treating us with a top-notch mix of Son House inspired Country blues.
Clive had an appreciative audience which by now had grown to nearly 300 and was a good choice for starting this varied night of Blues.
Next up for our entertainment was The Amen Boogie Blues Band who whipped the crowd up even more, led by confident front man ‘Smokin’ Dave Hollis on blues harp.
The band gave us a very strong set of Chicago-style blues including Muddy Waters’ ‘Blow Wind Blow’ finishing with the slide-guitar driven ‘Greenstuff’ that had the dancers up on their toes.
The headline act Errol Linton’s Blues Vibe came on to an eager audience ready to boogie and were not disappointed. The first number had the dance floor filled. Brixton-born to Jamaican parents, Errol played many numbers from his first two albums ‘Vibing It’ and ‘Roots Stew’.
His Caribbean roots shining through on the reggae-ska influenced tracks ‘Packin my bags’ and ‘Man Shot Down’ but he effortlessly switched to Chicago blues to belt out songs such as Willie Dixon’s ‘Too Many Cooks’.
Accompanied by Jean-Pierre Lampe double bass, Adam Blake guitar, and Kenrick Rowe drums, who are all talented and accomplished musicians in their own right. But the sounds Errol can get from his blues-harp were amazing. At one time his harp was a phone ringing (most of us there remember what that sounds like), another time it was a locomotive steaming along the tracks; incredible.
Look out for more top-draw Blues on the Island
Images: Copyright Roger Regular
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I had friends over from the mainland to see Errol Linton and we all had a great time. He and his brand were brilliant and I’d definitely see them again if they comes back to the Island.
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A brilliant gig, fantastic night and superb music. Haven’t been down to the winter gardens for a long time. Enjoyed the night, but have to say I was really put off by all the flags in the bar – being proud of your country is one thing, but the number of flags in there is just too much.
I will make the jounrey to winter gardens again if something decent comes up, but will drink elsewhere beforehand and afterwards if it still resembles the bnp rally. I bet it puts a lot of other people off too.
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