Congleton Jazz & Blues Festival 2014
Sunday 24th August 2014
I said I'd keep it brief. That worked out well for me, didn't it?!
So, the first port of call is my favourite venue, the YP. It hadn't occurred to me before but both days of CJABF 2014 began, for me, with an act from Liverpool. Yesterday blues from The Hexmen, today a little jazz from The Weave. It must be a sign, given my impending relocation to that very city. I would have preferred this to be anywhere else in Congleton but here but, you can't have everything. The venue hadn't improved since my last visit and I still preferred it as Dean's toy shop/sub post office but, I digress.
So, the first port of call is my favourite venue, the YP. It hadn't occurred to me before but both days of CJABF 2014 began, for me, with an act from Liverpool. Yesterday blues from The Hexmen, today a little jazz from The Weave. It must be a sign, given my impending relocation to that very city. I would have preferred this to be anywhere else in Congleton but here but, you can't have everything. The venue hadn't improved since my last visit and I still preferred it as Dean's toy shop/sub post office but, I digress.
The Weave - YP
The Weave play the kind of jazz that you can sit back, listen to and just enjoy the glorious melodies, solos, and incredible musicianship that you expect from a jazz sextet. It isn't difficult to listen to like some Modern Jazz can be. I would say that they are the perfect group to listen to and see live, if you like the sound but don't know much about the genre. It was listening to these guys last year that really made me take notice of Jazz and learn about it. I am, by no means, an expert. All that I have learned in the last year has done little more than scratch the surface but I really like the style that The Weave plays. As you would expect, the level of musicianship is through the roof and, as is traditional, each band member gets plenty of opportunity to solo and show what they can do. Wonderful stuff. I really like the drummer, too. He has such a nice touch with the brushes, underpinning a sweet rhythm section. Guitar, keys and, dual trumpetry are really just icing on a very moreish cake. I hope to catch them at a Jazz night somewhere in Liverpool, before too long.
Bearcats Blues Band - Illucini's
It appears that I'm only seeing the bands that I have enjoyed over the last few Jazz and Blues Festivals, doesn't it? Partly, that is true but, not entirely. Yes, I wanted to revisit old friends but, also, I did see a couple of new ones too. I wasn't at my peak and the hikes between some of the venues – that I did make last year – was not going to be happening this year. So, from my, thankfully, final visit to the YP, I headed for the shopping mall-like environs of Illucini's. Whatever this location may be, where I always choose to sit, the sound is fine and the view of the band is good. So, I'm happy. At least it's light and you don't need night-vision goggles to see whose playing.
The Bearcats Blues Band is another example of a really good RnB band that plays a lovely selection of tracks, showing that this is more than just music to them. A tasty mix of boogie-woogie, barrelhouse, Chicago-style, and Delta blues keeps your attention and gets the foot tapping along nicely. This is a feelgood band that you cannot help but groove along to. Some sensational harmonica playing, soulful piano, and some beautiful guitar work, add flourishes to a very solid and entertaining drum and double bass combo. Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth checking out.
The Bearcats Blues Band is another example of a really good RnB band that plays a lovely selection of tracks, showing that this is more than just music to them. A tasty mix of boogie-woogie, barrelhouse, Chicago-style, and Delta blues keeps your attention and gets the foot tapping along nicely. This is a feelgood band that you cannot help but groove along to. Some sensational harmonica playing, soulful piano, and some beautiful guitar work, add flourishes to a very solid and entertaining drum and double bass combo. Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth checking out.
White Knuckle Blues Band - White Lion
What is there to say? It just doesn't get any better than this.
Pete Latham - King's Arms
Where did I put those night vision goggles?
Seriously, this is a dreadful place to see a live band. I'm all for dark, dingy, sweaty clubs. Some of the best gigs I've ever been to have been in hole-in-the-wall dives but this is just disrespectful to the clientèle. Standing right in front of them, you can barely make out a few shadows in the gloom. Anything that you can see is, naturally, silhouetted by the wall lights behind the artist. At least the beer is cheaper than Eeyore's other gloomy place.
I knew nothing about Pete Latham before I saw him and I know little more now, other than we seem to have many mutual friends on Facebook. Anyhoo, not a lot I can tell you. He was joined by a gent on mouth harp, and a young lady on percussion and noisy, shaky things. It was a set of very sweet blues guitar playing with some nice harmonica accompaniment and a good selection of songs that would suit some hardcore blues purists. I really enjoyed his set. Understated and different to other performers I saw.
However, and this is a purely personal point of view, and not intended to be insulting to the young lady, but I didn't enjoy her folky wailings, as good as they may have been. It's not my kind of thing and I came to see blues and jazz, not finger in your ear, minstrel in the gallery, it'll be great when there's a cure for syphillis stuff. The two styles do not mix in my opinion. Still, I thought Pete and 'harmonica guy' (sorry, didn't catch your name) were great.
Seriously, this is a dreadful place to see a live band. I'm all for dark, dingy, sweaty clubs. Some of the best gigs I've ever been to have been in hole-in-the-wall dives but this is just disrespectful to the clientèle. Standing right in front of them, you can barely make out a few shadows in the gloom. Anything that you can see is, naturally, silhouetted by the wall lights behind the artist. At least the beer is cheaper than Eeyore's other gloomy place.
I knew nothing about Pete Latham before I saw him and I know little more now, other than we seem to have many mutual friends on Facebook. Anyhoo, not a lot I can tell you. He was joined by a gent on mouth harp, and a young lady on percussion and noisy, shaky things. It was a set of very sweet blues guitar playing with some nice harmonica accompaniment and a good selection of songs that would suit some hardcore blues purists. I really enjoyed his set. Understated and different to other performers I saw.
However, and this is a purely personal point of view, and not intended to be insulting to the young lady, but I didn't enjoy her folky wailings, as good as they may have been. It's not my kind of thing and I came to see blues and jazz, not finger in your ear, minstrel in the gallery, it'll be great when there's a cure for syphillis stuff. The two styles do not mix in my opinion. Still, I thought Pete and 'harmonica guy' (sorry, didn't catch your name) were great.
Tom Seals Trio - Quigley's
Although I didn't realise it at the time, Tom Seals would turn out to be the last band I 'saw' at Jazz and Blues.
I entered Quigley's and wondered if I'd somehow teleported to some rich wankery whorehouse in Alderley Edge. Then I noticed Rick Wilson and realised that I was, indeed, in the correct [out of] place, although my feelings for the venue remained less than favourable. Seriously, people, is this the sort of place that Congleton wants? There's more warmth in the tip of a polar bear's... ...ears... yeah, we'll go with ears. Soulless, homogenised, hermetically sealed, and as far-removed from a blues or jazz club as you can imagine. Still, the music is what matters.
I wouldn't have bothered with this gig had not Messrs Maddocks and Bayes advised me to check it out. Tom Seals I had not seen before so had no idea what to expect. Nick Bayes on bass and, as unlikely as it seems, Rick Wilson, on drums. Come on, why wouldn't I want to see Rick playing in a place that would probably ban him from drinking here?!
I have to say that the Tom Seals Trio was outstanding. It is safe to say that Tom, Nick, and Rick (I'll refrain from any cheap rhyming wordplay) exceeded any expectations I may have had. Rick's drumming was noticeably contained with the occasional expression of his usual exuberance, whilst Nick kept the bass tight and steady. Tom, I was prepared to hate, mainly because he is so young and exceptionally talented but, as they got under way, I quickly threw away my childish notions and got with the programme. All I can say is that anyone who can get me to enjoy a Bruno Mars song definitely deserves to be a huge star! I loved the choice of some, quite frankly, strange track selections but the arrangements were astonishing. Very creative, played with style and class and great flair. The biggest surprise of the weekend. No contest.
They were so good that I'm going to go and see them at Parr St on September 12th; that's how good they are.
I entered Quigley's and wondered if I'd somehow teleported to some rich wankery whorehouse in Alderley Edge. Then I noticed Rick Wilson and realised that I was, indeed, in the correct [out of] place, although my feelings for the venue remained less than favourable. Seriously, people, is this the sort of place that Congleton wants? There's more warmth in the tip of a polar bear's... ...ears... yeah, we'll go with ears. Soulless, homogenised, hermetically sealed, and as far-removed from a blues or jazz club as you can imagine. Still, the music is what matters.
I wouldn't have bothered with this gig had not Messrs Maddocks and Bayes advised me to check it out. Tom Seals I had not seen before so had no idea what to expect. Nick Bayes on bass and, as unlikely as it seems, Rick Wilson, on drums. Come on, why wouldn't I want to see Rick playing in a place that would probably ban him from drinking here?!
I have to say that the Tom Seals Trio was outstanding. It is safe to say that Tom, Nick, and Rick (I'll refrain from any cheap rhyming wordplay) exceeded any expectations I may have had. Rick's drumming was noticeably contained with the occasional expression of his usual exuberance, whilst Nick kept the bass tight and steady. Tom, I was prepared to hate, mainly because he is so young and exceptionally talented but, as they got under way, I quickly threw away my childish notions and got with the programme. All I can say is that anyone who can get me to enjoy a Bruno Mars song definitely deserves to be a huge star! I loved the choice of some, quite frankly, strange track selections but the arrangements were astonishing. Very creative, played with style and class and great flair. The biggest surprise of the weekend. No contest.
They were so good that I'm going to go and see them at Parr St on September 12th; that's how good they are.
End of an era...
After leaving Quigley's (sorry for not saying Bye, Phil, but you'd disappeared!) I made my way to the Lion for Sweet Winn Dixie and The Ron Jeremy Cream Missile Explosion. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, I could barely hear the band, never mind see them. I stayed for a while but tiredness, the fact that I had to clean the house the following day, before moving the day after, drew me towards my bed on the floor of my empty rooms.
Thus, my Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival was at an end. It was a good one. I had a blast. I shall try and get back for future events though. Big ups to Vince, Louise, and Joe for their hard work in bringing these excellent artists to the town. I wish you all the best in future promotions.
Thus, my Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival was at an end. It was a good one. I had a blast. I shall try and get back for future events though. Big ups to Vince, Louise, and Joe for their hard work in bringing these excellent artists to the town. I wish you all the best in future promotions.
So, that's me done with Congleton. It's up to you lot now. Support the Jazz and Blues Festival by turning out and making it work. Someone should maybe take some photos of bands and maybe write some reviews... Although, I don't envy anyone taking on that mantle; it's bloody hard work.
You'll miss me now I'm gone!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
3rd September 2014
You'll miss me now I'm gone!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
3rd September 2014
