How come I'd never heard of Adrian Byron Burns until last year when he came to Huddersfield's Bar 1:22 to play a gig? He is a great musician, playing scorching guitar grooves combined with a warm and unique voice. Not signed to a major label, he puts out his music himself, so publicity is limited to his gigs I suppose.
Check out Adrian's web site & MySpace page at www.myspace.com/adrianbyronburns
He also defies categorisation - someone once said of him "too blues to be jazz, too rock to be blues, too folk to be rock, too jazz to be folk, too good to be ignored.........", with which I heartily concur, although perhaps jazz predominates.
He opened his set with a Neil Young cover of all things - 'When you dance'. The first of three I think on the night. Apparently he once played support on a Neil Young tour many years ago and seems to have a fondness for his songs. So have I, but IMHO they aren't best suited to his bluesy, jazzy, soulful style.
He followed it with a favourite of mine - "Blind Willie McTell", by Bob Dylan. This was a wonderful interpretation and homage to both Willie & Bob.
Taking out his sonorous baritone guitar, he laid out a great "Born Under a Bad Sign", perhaps owing more to the Albert King's Stax original than to the more famous Cream interpretation. Also played with this instrument was a dazzling "Every Breath You Take", somehow taking in some quotes from "Yesterday" along the way.
Back on the smaller acoustic he did his impressive medley "Hendrixology", taking in many of Jimi's greatest songs and lead phrases.
I really loved "Key to the Highway", with which he closed the first set, which was warmly appreciated by the audience. None of his own songs in that half, but I think there were three in the second set, however I only recognised the catchy "Massa John".
Other highlights were an impassioned cover of Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken" and his Beatles medley, titled "Beatlesology" - of course. A great version of "Ain't no sunshine".
More Neil Young covers - "Only Love (Can Break Your Heart)" (with bits of "Heart of Gold" woven in) and later "Down by the River". The encore was George Harrison's "While my guitar gently weeps", although it was so jazzed up, I had to ask him afterwards what it was! Not only a great musician, he is a warm and friendly guy. But a crazy jazz player who will never make the big time! Probably all for the best.
The Puzzle Hall (Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2QG) is a great pub which has just re-opened under new management. Luckily they're continuing the tradition of good live music there - check out the MySpace page - www.myspace.com/thepuzzlehalllive
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