Luke Winslow-King at Scrooby Village Hall

Luke Winslow-King

at Scrooby Village Hall

30th June 2016

Luke Winslow-King is descended from William Brewster, one of the Pilgrim Fathers, who used to live at Scrooby Manor. Hence Luke's affection for Scrooby and how he came to play a set with his increasingly successful band in the Village Hall.

Let me say from the outset that I am a great fan of his. For me, he is one of the few who is keeping the spirit of the blues alive. You may think that strange, since his style is a mixture of different influences. However the blues is strongly at the centre of the mix and is all the stronger for being showcased in the new songs that Luke writes.

Thus I see him as very similar to CW Stoneking, who also writes great new songs, strongly influenced by the blues. I reviewed CW's show at Brudenell in a previous post.

Another of the few is Jerron Paxton, who performs more traditional material, but in his own interpretations. It is no coincidence that Luke & Jerron are friends - Luke told me after the gig that Jerron has stayed with him at his home in New Orleans.

Suffice to say that they were superb! All gigs should be in a small hall like this. Luke has worked at his craft and not only sings & plays guitar well, but is a good showman too; encouraging the audience into participating with hand-clapping, singing, dancing. Yes, I got up and danced before the end. The joy of two excellent guitarists together, often both playing slide! Roberto Luti is a star in his own right, he has a lovely touch and can burn very bright, but never overdoes his solos, they fit into the song. The drumming from Benji Bohannon and bass from Brennan Andes provides a rock solid platform for the two guitars and vocals.

The best blues band in the world at present IMO. At Scrooby village hall!

What was wrong CW?

CW Stoneking

at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

22nd June 2016

CW and band played to an appreciative audience, not quite so packed as last time I saw CW play here. Some old favourites went down well and the brilliant, sparkly new stuff did too. But I wasn't the only one to be slightly disappointed. Something was wrong or missing. What was it exactly? Nothing was out of tune, except when CW deliberately made it so. Was it the baritone sax clashing with the upright bass? Was it the backing vocals not loud enough, or lacking pizzaz? The slower songs went better I thought & that gives me a clue. The faster songs didn't really rock. Maybe all the rhythms were too square, lacking syncopation?

I am one of two people who went to this gig and also to CW doing a similar set in November 2014 in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. That band really did rock, the backing vocals very sharp. Maybe the long world tour to promote the excellent Gon' Boogaloo album is just getting CW tuckered out?

Support from CD something and the somethings (sorry guys!) was plucked from old time country, blues, folk, jug band and bluegrass repertoires, which fitted well with CW's original works which are influenced by such musics. Lineup of washboard, guitars, vocals, violin, double bass did a good job.

I still enjoyed the gig, as did the audience. But it could have been better.