Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival 2012 - 25/26th August 2012
The Hexmen
After being blown away, so comprehensively by RPB, I was considering where to end my Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival. I took a few minutes out and had a sit down in the cool, evening air, listening to the sounds of the evening.
I had a tricky choice. I wanted to catch Keith Smith and Rick Bateman at The Piano Bar; I really fancied a little of their blues stylings. However, I also had a hankering to catch the second half of The Hexmen's set at The Cygnet Club. If they were dull, I could always leave...
I had a tricky choice. I wanted to catch Keith Smith and Rick Bateman at The Piano Bar; I really fancied a little of their blues stylings. However, I also had a hankering to catch the second half of The Hexmen's set at The Cygnet Club. If they were dull, I could always leave...
Liverpool has a bit of history in the modern music business. You'll have heard of a couple of the more famous names, for sure. Most, you won't have heard of, though. The incredible band, Nutz, for example. Chances are you've never heard of them but, in the late 1970s, they were one of the best bands around. Aye, Liverpool has produced its fair share of good musicians, it's fair to say. What I was waiting to find out was, whether The Hexmen was one of them or, just another bunch of hamneggers.
I should have had more faith in the organisers, I really should. I'm so accustomed to people not doing their jobs, these days, that I just sort of expect the incompetence, apathy, and stupidity that permeates everyday life. I forgot, however, that the organisers are people like me, they care about the music and putting on a good show. There were no fillers on the bill. This has been put together by people who actually give a damn.
I was thinking these thoughts as I looked at the stage. That's a proper box of harmonicas, there, that is, I ruminated. Anyone who has a box like that for his lunch-wrappers knows what he's doing, I postulated.
I stood and overheard conversations. Yeah, some were inane and bland, and I didn't care that her feet hurt, his lumbago was playing up or, that her friend got arrested for shoplifting in WH Smith. Mostly, these were fans of good music. Some were even quite knowledgeable. All were enthusiastic.
After about fifteen minutes the band came back to the stage and started off their second set of the evening. It took me about thirty seconds to realise I wouldn't be leaving until they started turning off the power and began packing their instruments away.
I should have had more faith in the organisers, I really should. I'm so accustomed to people not doing their jobs, these days, that I just sort of expect the incompetence, apathy, and stupidity that permeates everyday life. I forgot, however, that the organisers are people like me, they care about the music and putting on a good show. There were no fillers on the bill. This has been put together by people who actually give a damn.
I was thinking these thoughts as I looked at the stage. That's a proper box of harmonicas, there, that is, I ruminated. Anyone who has a box like that for his lunch-wrappers knows what he's doing, I postulated.
I stood and overheard conversations. Yeah, some were inane and bland, and I didn't care that her feet hurt, his lumbago was playing up or, that her friend got arrested for shoplifting in WH Smith. Mostly, these were fans of good music. Some were even quite knowledgeable. All were enthusiastic.
After about fifteen minutes the band came back to the stage and started off their second set of the evening. It took me about thirty seconds to realise I wouldn't be leaving until they started turning off the power and began packing their instruments away.
George Hexman
When you think of Blues Harp players, a few names spring to mind
immediately.
Greats, such as, Little Walter (Jacobs), Big Walter (Horton), Sonny Boy I (John Lee Williamson), Sonny Boy II (Rice Miller), Sonny Terry, and Paul Butterfield.
Then, there's the latter-day greats, like Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Howlin' Wolf, Paul Lamb, Paul Jones, and Lee Brilleaux, who have all helped to ensure that the Blues Harmonica continues to be an essential part of the sound of modern R 'n' B.
So, where do The Hexmen come in? Their music is blues, R 'n' B, with a bit of a sharp edge to it. Think Dr Feelgood and you'll be on the right track. Singer and Harmonica player George Hexman has been around for a few years and he has the track record to prove it. In addition, guitarist Colin Guthrie, bass player Noz Easterbrook, and drummer Wayne Dangerous, are all very good, experienced musicians and, it shows. The Hexmen is one hell of a band. Tight as a duck's arse. You could slice cheese with some of their songs, they are so sharp.
Greats, such as, Little Walter (Jacobs), Big Walter (Horton), Sonny Boy I (John Lee Williamson), Sonny Boy II (Rice Miller), Sonny Terry, and Paul Butterfield.
Then, there's the latter-day greats, like Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Howlin' Wolf, Paul Lamb, Paul Jones, and Lee Brilleaux, who have all helped to ensure that the Blues Harmonica continues to be an essential part of the sound of modern R 'n' B.
So, where do The Hexmen come in? Their music is blues, R 'n' B, with a bit of a sharp edge to it. Think Dr Feelgood and you'll be on the right track. Singer and Harmonica player George Hexman has been around for a few years and he has the track record to prove it. In addition, guitarist Colin Guthrie, bass player Noz Easterbrook, and drummer Wayne Dangerous, are all very good, experienced musicians and, it shows. The Hexmen is one hell of a band. Tight as a duck's arse. You could slice cheese with some of their songs, they are so sharp.
I really, really liked the choice of songs, too. Mostly blues standards, although there were one or two that pleasantly surprised me. One of my all-time favourites, Doc Pomus's Lonely Avenue, got a good seeing to and, at the end, one of the most brutal versions of Smokestack Lightning I've ever heard, brought [my] Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival 2012 to an appropriately triumphant conclusion.
The Hexmen, I cannot rate highly enough. The playing is spot on, all around, and Hexman's harmonica is as good as you're going to see and hear on a stage, anywhere. Guthrie also pulls out a few fine solos, too, showing that he has some fine string-bending and slide-playing skills. I like their image too: smart enough, with a hint of Blues Brothers, looking like they are there to take care of business. They certainly did that. These fellas know their blues and love playing it. You can just tell. I had a cracking time. If you get the chance, go and see The Hexmen. You'll just have a bloody good time, that's all.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
1st September 2012
The Hexmen, I cannot rate highly enough. The playing is spot on, all around, and Hexman's harmonica is as good as you're going to see and hear on a stage, anywhere. Guthrie also pulls out a few fine solos, too, showing that he has some fine string-bending and slide-playing skills. I like their image too: smart enough, with a hint of Blues Brothers, looking like they are there to take care of business. They certainly did that. These fellas know their blues and love playing it. You can just tell. I had a cracking time. If you get the chance, go and see The Hexmen. You'll just have a bloody good time, that's all.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
1st September 2012