Rock of Ages Radio Show

Papa Legba are a new band who have recently appeared on the Northwest live music circuit and they are already starting to make a name for themselves as a more than competent power blues rock trio who can deliver the goods.

Another great turn out at BJ’s Blues Club were about to witness one of the most awe inspiring performances ever seen at the club by this flegeling Merseyside band who have been together in this form for less than a year !

Papa Legba started their first set with a rousing powerhouse high energy rendition of “Crossroads” with Graham Brighouse on his vintage Ludwig drum kit making his presence felt immediately. Mr Brighouse’s aggressive but controlled style of skin attack raised the dynamics of the song onto the bands own frequency, he is certainly one of the most gifted percussionists to grace the stage at BJ’s.

The bands second song, an earthy but polished version of “Norwegian Wood” was equally outstanding, especially for the vocal harmonies from brothers Alan & Scott Crawford who have skillfully crafted a Beatles Classic to fit neatly within their own style, a truly great interpretation of this song !

We were treated to some more contemporary material in the form of ”Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse followed by a blistering rendition of “Killing Floor” with some astonishing high speed fretboard guitar rhythms highly reminiscent of the ‘67 version by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

The second set was a great balance of high energy material with an unusual of version “Crawling Kingsnake” and an atmospheric take on the Rory Gallagher classic “A Million Miles Away”. Scott Crawford on five string Bass underpinned the bands driving energy sound with some sterling bass playing and gave an extra depth and dimension to the bands performance with his excellent backing vocals.

Alan Kitwana Crawford is a sensational guitar player and a quality vocalist whose musical identity taps directly into the legacy of the blues and his own musical heritage. If there is any truth behind the legend indelibly written into the myths and stories of the delta blues musicians of the 1920’s that Papa Legba is the spirit that controls the crossroads and is able to dispense musical lalents, then this band who now bears his name have without question been down to the crossroads to receive the keys to the highway.  We can only hope that this spirit and passion will enable them to reach their destination.

The Section have been one of the great stalwarts of the Northwest’s live music scene for over twenty five years and have always been firm favourites at BJ’s with their uncompromising hard driving R&B sound.

The band had a full complement of five superior musicians with new boy Jeff Wilkinson doubling on keyboards & guitar adding extra depth & texture to the sound further augmented by timely hamomica licks by Dave Beesley. The crowing glory of this band must surely lay with Mick”The Governor”Taylor who is always outstanding with his ‘rock solid’ bass playing and a powerful soulful voice that most pros would die for.

Mick drives his bass right through Doctor Feelgood country and the band follow eagerly into high octane rocking renditions of “Milk and Alcohol” and a storming version of “Baby Please Don’t Go” made famous by Them. Truvel Thomas on drums keeps up the momentum and still has time to share in the rapport that the band have with each other, adding nicely to the atmosphere of the evenings musical proceedings. Another unsung hero in the form of guitarist Steve Pollard was also ‘on song’ managing to achieve a superb overdriven rock sound on some of the more raunchy ZZ Top covers. Even the obligatory “Stormy Monday Blues” was delivered with emotion and captured the true spirit of the blues with outstanding vocals.

This was by far the most impressive performance by The Section at BJ’s to date. We were all left in no doubt that this is one of the finest and most musically compatable outfits on the circuit today, it really does not come much better than this!

Another ‘full house’ at The Hop Pocket for the return of Al Dickinson and his band who have become firm favourites at this premier North West venue, which has now become a mecca for devotees of the blues and quality live music.

The backing musicians, Hugh Bradley on bass & Leigh Stoddard drums were of the highest calibre  complemeting Al Dickinson’s diverse musical range of material with genuine enthusiam, exploring and maximising the true depth of his compelling music. 

The songs were a mixture of ‘covers’, traditional songs and original compositions which I would define as Country Blues/Americana with elements of folk and rock. Al Dickinson has been compared vocally to Chris Rea, but in truth to my ears it is his rough gritty natural vocal intonations that lends itself perfectly as a poweful medium for his own compositions which speak from the heart. The guitar playing was outstanding too, equally a home on slide or standard tunings, Al Dickinson slots his chords and licks neatly into the groove on each and every hand picked musical offering. The highlights of the gig were a rip roaring version of “Messin’ with the Kid” and a breathtaking performance of ”Sultans of Swing”.

There was also a tantalising glimpse of things to come on the forthcoming album with an emotional rendition of “Black Diamonds”, a self penned musical gem which is a true measure of this man and his music. A truly memorable performance!

This was the third appearance at BJ’s for Sly Fox an ‘up and coming’ Blues/Rock combo who blend a healthy mix of covers with their own well crafted compositions. They brought a decent lighting rig and smoke machine, which was used sparingly within the confines of The Hop Pocket Stage area, but as always it is the musical performance that counts with another full house of discerning ‘live music’ devotees!

Sly Fox did not disappoint, and delivered a very lively and competent first set with both guitarists working well with the solid rhythm section. The highlight of the first set was the last song a vintage Status Quo song “A Year” which is an atmospheric song which builds slowly, allowing lead guitarist Mick Walsh to show the audience his superb fretboard skills in taking the song to it’s ultimate climax.

The second set was certainly more upbeat, enerjetic and rocky moving up a gear as the band started to perform more of their own original compositions which stood up well against some of the earlier ’standards’.

Dave Bridge is the Sly Fox main songwriter, rhythm guitarist and vocalist who apart from being an excellent songwriter exudes a confidence and professionalism in introducing the songs and fronting the band in an almost laid back style, which is non the less engaging and entertaining. Both guitarists complement each other with Mick Walsh providing the ‘iceing on the cake’ with some dazzling lead runs.

Broc Manhood on bass was as solid as a bassman can be without trying to overplay, keeping it simple and effective, along with new high calibre drummer Ian Fletcher who provided a dynamic rhythm section for the guitars to work with. The sound man Andy Bridge had the levels just right.

My overall impression is that Sly Fox is a band that has now forged it’s own musical identity, with strains of early Quo in my ears I really feel that they are vocally an English sounding band which gives them their own individual quaint identity.

 The Fox is an endangered species, but Sly Fox has found it’s own special niche to ensure it’s musical survival and continues to develop it’s talent to entertain.  

 www.sly-fox.org