With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Three today on my look back trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2018, Larkin Poe, Islington Assembly Hall, London
A fantastic night of quality slide blues with these two sisters. Brilliant stuff and can’t wait for their return next year, fingers crossed. Reviewed at the time here.
2011, Jonathan Wilson, Hoxton Bar and Grill, London
Wilson is over here in support of his debut album ‘Gentle Spirit’. The set naturally leans heavily in this direction but we are also treated to a handful of new songs that will subsequently appear on later albums.
I like the Hoxton Bar and Grill as a venue. You do have to get there early as it a small wide room with a flat floor but I haven’t been disappointed on any trip there. And tonight is no exception. Jonathan really delivers on that warm California music that just transports you to the west coast circa ninety seventy three.
Fine stuff from an artist who amongst his producing duties still delivers as a solo act in his own right.
1997, Kelly Joe Phelps, Chris Smithers, Watermans, London
A fine double bill our Brentford way in Wes London at a venue we returned to quite a few times in this period. We then stopped going there dead so I’m not even sure that they still host any music concerts.
I do have a soft spot for Phelps with his laid back quiet acoustic blues. His songs are true stories of Americana full of fascinating characters and situations. This was his debut show in the UK supporting his first album. It turned out to be what we now know is the usual top-quality show. I fear my memory of the Smither set is far less obvious and I was still reeling from the Phelps set.
I’m sure it’s good and Smither is one of those artists that I do often but their music and think this is alright but rarely go back and revisit.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon but with the new lockdown my last chance of a gig disappeared this month and I have now had my first gig of 2021 cancelled so that will take it to a full twelve months at least between gigs.
Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.