Rock of Ages Radio Show

Only three tracks here but they are all a glowing testament to the strength, passion and commitment that reverberates through this Merseyside blues ensemble. Whether Forty 4 are in a ‘live’ situation or in the studio, their performances ooze class and sophistication which immediately engages the listener to listen more intently to their great interpretation of standards, or their own self penned creations which are performed with equal aplomb.

This EP contains one ‘orginal’ song “Just One Good Cause” which opens proceedings nicely, best described as a mid tempo blues shuffle and is totally indicative of the bands ability to make this sound like a ‘oldie’ from the vaults which they have updated in their own idiom, therein lies one of this bands great strengths, a totally authentic sound.

Neil Partington is gifted with exactly the right vocal chords to exhort the power of the blues upon those who are not already converts to his natural guttural vocal intonations. This is apparent throughout the two cover tracks too which are more than competent versions of the Ray Charles song “I Don’t Need No Doctor” and an inspired version of the blues standard Forty-Four from which the band have derived their name. The latter contains some very sensualized and sensitive guitar passages by Paul Starkey, which is a welcome change from much of the soulless cliched blues licks that most guitarists can be guilty of.

The keyboards played by Glen Lewis are used sparingly and are reminiscent in style and sound to the early British blues boom outfits of the sixties. The killer punch of this band is the ’skin tight’ rhythm section driven by Steve Brown on bass and Nick Lauro on drums who provide the ultimate musical backdrop for the band to power forward.

It’s well worth checking this band out they are ‘live’ at BJ’s, The Hop Pocket, Chorley this coming Thursday 7th April at 9.30pm. They are superb musicians who deserve recognition for their dedication, talent, true grit and determination to make their mark! Long Live Forty 4!!

ps “Whitewood” CD’s should be on sale at the gig.

http://www.facebook.com/scarygoodmusic?sk=info

 We can now announce the the Northern Heats finalists who have been selected by the organisers. Six of the most talented Northern blues acts will appear at BJ’s Blues Club, The Hop Pocket, Chorley on Saturday 29th January commencing at 7.30 pm. It’s a non ticket event, and a rare chance to see so much musical talent performing at an friendly and intimate venue where musicians have the opportunity to create a close rapport with an appreciative audience. 

 Here is the line up for BJ’s with some ’web links’ for the acts 

19.30 THE MIGHTY REVELATORS  An impressive and versatile blues/swing combo from Manchester with twin guitar attack.

http://www.myspace.com/therevelatorsbluesband

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tI3ubphfaU  The Mighty Revelators do a Dick Dale!

20.00 LUCY ZIRINS  An extremely talented Burnley singer/songwriter who has tapped into the very soul of the blues.

http://www.myspace.com/lucyzirins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9VFQqxAa0I  A great version of “Trouble In Mind” made famous by Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen ”The Typewriter Tapes”

20.30 THE REVENUES  A refreshing and interesting Burnley based 5 piece who are “first class exponents of modern day blues”.

http://www.myspace.com/therevenuesblues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp35XmP4h4k  A ‘live’ performance to savour from these boys.

21.00 LEE BATES & BILLY NEWTON  A North East based blues duo who have made a name for themselves throughout the UK

http://www.myspace.com/leebatesbillynewton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWf4GZ6ma0I  An excellent ‘live’ rendition of an Arthur”Big Boy” Crudup song.

21.30 CHRIS JAMES  An authentic and engaging solo guitarist who has been plying his trade for around the Carlisle area for the last twenty five years.

 http://www.myspace.com/chrisjamesblues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et4Rv0XT5s0  Chris James ‘at home’ on stage with a vintage guitar and tone to match

22.00 THE MARK THORNLEY BAND  A Blackpool based blues/rock trio who have built their reputation on ’raw blues power’.

http://www.myspace.com/markthornley  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj9K0g4hMWg  Mark and the guys supporting Sherman Robertson.

 The winning band/act will appear in the final at the 100 Club, Oxford Street, London on 29th March 2011. The winner of the final will have the chance to appear at the highly prestigious New Brunswick Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Canada. This is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for one of these acts to gain international exposure for themselves and fly the flag for British Blues.

This event is a rare opportunity for us to indulge our musical passions and showcase some fine examples of the burgeoning musical talent we have here in Britain.

Thank you once again for your support.

Lucas Campbell

BJ’s Blues Club

Please check out www.TourismNewBrunswick.co.uk             In partnership with  www.bluesmatters.com 

Jim Morrison once said ” give me an hour for magic”, was he referring to a moment of pure inspiration or was it simply a poet’s ‘turn of phrase’ to describe a hedonistic desire to linger and revel unashamedly within a state of suspended euphoria. Therein lies the question, how does one achieve the aforementioned feeling of well-being without the use of artificial stimulus? The answer is really so simple, if you love ‘live’ music there is one musical experience you cannot afford to miss, that is a performance by three musical maestros known collectively as the Fuschi 3.

Fuschi 3 could best be described as ‘The Kings of Funk Blues’, but in truth their talents and strengths lie much beyond any generic musical label or tag that could be used to ‘pigeon hole’ this band. In fact where as the average power trio tends to consist of a ‘front man’ posturing guitar player and two backing musicians, in Fuschi3 we really do have a band of three equally talented players. Paulo Fuschi is the vocalist and guitarist who is the catalyst bluesmaster whose warm personable character somehow belies his mastery of the guitar, the intensity of his music and the gift of song crafting. David Lloyd on Electric Bass is the ultimate funkmiester on four strings or more, taking his ‘bass groove’ much beyond reach of the average four stringer. Rick Hughes is a truly dynamic powerhouse drummer whose ‘fills’ and symbol work is second to none and completes this emerging musical ‘tour de force’.

The set was well balanced and contained a mix of ’standards’ covers and some of their own material which was equally well received by the musically perceptive and appreciative supporters at BJ’s, who tucked into a feast of musical delights savouring the flavour of each and every song. Highlights included a superb jazz funk rendition of “Summertime”, an earthy version of “Born Under A Bad Sign” with the self penned “2am” and “Salvation” offering a glimpse of the bands versatility to break new ground into other sub genres. With a forthcoming album recording session planned in November I look forward with relish to be swept away again by a wave of musical euphoria. “Give me an hour for magic!” It really has happened, the doors are wide open for the Fuschi 3!

This album has been a long time coming but the waiting is over. The reward for devotees of this charismatic geordie are truly worthwhile, in as much that we have an organically well produced album that offers the listener an intimate insight into the innermost musical world of Al Dickinson. The CD is a collection of gritty, sentimental, auto biographical and slightly melancholic songs which reveals the musical pulse of the creator of so many fine musical offerings. There are upbeat songs too which identify the writer as a master tunesmith and guitarist who is able to connect easily to the listener as the songs have an honesty and quaintness without being cliche’d or contrived.

Al is accompanied on these recordings by Hugh Bradley on Bass and Leigh Stothard on drums, augmented by Murray Grainger on accordion whose musicianship complements the songs so well. “Black Diamonds” is one of the stand out songs on this album, but there are others also that captivate the listener with equal intensity such as “Three Tastes” and ”Live By The Sword”.

 Above all else it is the sincerity in the voice of Al Dickinson that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries who are also exponents in this genre which I would classify as Roots/Country Blues. Al’s guitar work is wonderfully sensitive and slightly reminiscent of Mark Knofpler at times with a sweetness of tone that leaves you wanting more.

Al Dickinson is a modern day troubadour who wears his heart on his sleeve, never afraid to step out of the shadows into the limelight to show us all that ‘true grit’ and a passion to perform original songs really can win hearts and minds, “whatever next” for Al Dickinson.

The album was produced by Jonathan Taylor and Adam Medlock at Blacksail Records and available through Amazon. The CD dedicated to the memory of Brian “BJ” Jeffery the founder of BJ’s Blues Club.

Check out the Al Dickinson Band ‘live’ at BJ’s Blues Club on Thursday 30th September 2010.