Rock of Ages Radio Show

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

It was an auspicious evening at BJ’s, a full house with standing room only and the news that musical legend Les Paul had just passed away on that same day. It reminded us all once again that mortality comes without any form of guarantee and even great musical icons are bound by the law of man and must pass into the great beyond. Was it then an ironic symbol of  the Les Paul legacy to see a man standing on the edge stage holding a guitar bearing his name? Slightly uncanny also to see the Gibson SG model at the side of the stage which was the instrument he declined to endorse as a Les Paul model.

Coincidences aside, there was an air of excitement and anticipation as The Mark Thornley Band took the stage and promptly set off into their first musical foray. This band creates some of the finest Blues Rock sounds your ever likely to hear. The songs are hinged to the heart of the blues using the dynamics of rock to great effect elevating each musical offering as a soundboard for three gifted musicians to work their magic. Their  material  was well chosen and included ’covers’ like “Texas Flood” and “Stormy Monday” interspersed with strong original numbers which all flowed well, delivered with an intensity that held the audience transfixed within the power of the performance.

The drum work of session man Mick McDonald was ’spot on’ complementing Bass player Paul Randall who made up a skin tight rhythm section for guitarist Mark Thornley to work with. Mark Thornley also handles the vocals but it is his guitar playing that is simply breathtaking. There is something very compelling about this mans’ guitar technique and his musical mastery that raises this band into one of the highest echelons of musical entertainment.

The band also had good verbal raport with the raptuous audience who were invited to sing along on an inpromptu version of “Rock Me Baby” augmented by guest harmonica man “Tim” who blew up a storm on his ‘blues harp’! It was (after the encores) the perfect end to an evening of musical magic. The Mark Thornley band have now proven themselves to be a musical ‘tour de force’. The world is their oyster, but the music will always be their pearl.

Check out their site  www.myspace.com/markthornley

A packed house witnessed the first live performance of this new blues band which contains three members of the famous Salford band The Roach Twins.
The sound balance was good although Paul Ashton’s keyboards were a little low in the mix during the first set, but this was rectified in the second half. American Bass player Dave Luvin is certainly a great find for this band, it was his effortless playing expertise that made him more than just an anchor man for this very promising outfit.
Front man and vocalist Mike Bowden delivered clear and audible vocals throughout both sets with some verbal and musical interplay with Chris Roach on guitar who moved around the stage with the confidence and the swagger of guitarist hell bent on a good time. Rick Lacey on drums laid down some solid rhythm patterns in the engine room holding the band on course through some previously uncharted musical landscapes. One of these was an unusual cajun-zydeco song and an almost Dylanesque mid tempo ballad, sung with innermost emotion by Mike Bowden, which struck me as having a commercial crossover appeal should they commit this to their debut CD.
Another interesting song “New Orleans 1927” offered a homage to the early bluesmen with some interesting and complimentary lead work from Chris Roach. In my view this was a very competent performance by five talented and dedicated musicians who have laid the foundations for greater things to come. Quality original material always wins the day and within the crucible of live performance comes the elixir of musical euphoria, you can’t see it, you can’t touch it, but you certainly feel it, just ask Doctor Truth.