Rock of Ages Radio Show

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

A treat for blues fans on Thursday 7th May - at BJ’s Blues Club, the Hop Pocket, Carr lane, Chorley.

THE AL DICKINSON BAND - Al Dickinson is back at BJ’s with some great musical friends! ‘check out’ Al’s son Brett on Drums who made his debut at BJ’s last year, and lived to tell the story! Music runs through the veins in this family. Al Dickinson is an extremely accomplished guitarist who has absorbed and digested differing styles which gives him such a unique and engaging musical style, which could be best described as country blues rock. Think of Chris Rea meets JJ Cale with a touch of Dire Straits you won’t be far out. Al tells me the band will be performing the title track from the forthcoming CD release entitled “Whatever Next?” which draws inspiration from the mining community that existed in his native North East.

Only quality songs from these guys and some pretty nifty guitar playing too! Can’t wait for this one!!

The Al Dickinson Band are :- Al Dickinson -Vocals/Guitar, Hughbass– Double Bass/Electric Bass, Brett Telford– Drums.

Band kicks off at 9.30 and as usual it’s Free

“The Rock of Ages Radio Show”  joins the rock community around the world in celebrating the life of Dewey Martin (Walter Milton Dewayne Midkiff) who passed away recently on the 31st January 2009 at the age of 68.

Dewey Martin was the drummer for Buffalo Springfield the pioneering American West Coast Psychedelic Folk Rock Band of the late 1960’s, which was instrumental in launching the musical careers of Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Jim Messina and fellow Canadian Neil Young.

Dewey Martin was drawn to the West Coast of the United States by the burgeoning music scene of Los Angeles of the mid 1960’s having worked as a session player and had spells with The Standells and The Dillards, but it will be his ground breaking work with Buffalo Springfield for which he will be best remembered.

Join Lucas Campbell on “The Rock of Ages Radio Show” in celebrating the lives and music of Buffalo Springfield “For What It’s Worth”, which is a priceless trip down the time coast of musical memories of forgotten sons by unsung heroes.

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