DECEMBER 2002 - NINE BELOW ZERO
Seems like we have come a long way since NBZ were the first band to play at Ripley back in September 1999. From struggling to half fill the hall this gig was sold out weeks in advance and many fans were turned away disappointed.
This was a very special show with the band performing a mellow first set before introducing the full electric version for the second half. It was an opportunity for this most professional of bands to show their versatility and the format went down a storm with the packed audience.
The gig featured many tracks from NBZ's new album "Chilled" together with the old favourites from "Live at the Marquee" etc. I thought the play list was perfect and loved the way they went straight from one track to the next in the electric gig keeping up the excitement and momentum.
Andy Herrington
Tickets
sold out weeks in advance for this Ripley's most prestigious gig to date featuring
two legends of the British Blues scene. All previous gigs had featured full
bands so this was a very different affair with just guitar, harmonica and
two great voices.
A packed Ripley audience was treated to a tour of the blues not just in the
songs but in the fascinating storytelling. Paul and Dave are true professionals
and gave their enthusiastic audience another great night of "RipleyBlues".
Old
friends were back at Ripley with the return of Ian Parker supported by The
Cahonies.
The evening got off to a flying start with a tight set from Cumbria's finest The Cahonies including a couple of numbers they pinched from the Nimmos who they supported at Ripley in May.
Ian brought his six piece blues band including trumpet and sax and apart from a couple of favourites (Five Long Years and Double Trouble) played a completely different set to his Parker's Alibi gigs.
The excellent brass section added a new dimension to an already superb band and they gave us a fantastic evening of blues.
Who cares if its "Parker", "Parker's Alibi", "Ian Parker & Friends" or "The Ian Parker Band" they are all welcome at Ripley!
A lovely summer's day saw the first visit of Chris and NBB to Ripley, they arrived mid afternoon and were surprised to find how small the village was. They were however impressed by the beauty of the village and the character of the building where they were to play.
Chris and the band are nice people and to say what Chris has done in his musical career he is totally unpretentious. My usual pre-gig nerves disappeared as I was put at ease by the good natured band.
A good number of fans had traveled a long way to the gig and speaking to them on the phone when booking tickets they assured me I would not be disappointed by the band's performance. They were absolutely right with Chris's voice in fine fettle and The Norman Beaker Band proving to be excellent musicians.
It was the first time we had had a saxophone on stage at Ripley and everyone enjoyed Lenni's blowing. The performance contained lots of humour and blended with fine vocals and instrumental backing made for a memorable evening.
Photo by John B Henderson
- see more on ChrisFarlowe.co.uk
May 2002 - The Nimmo Brothers supported by The Cahonies
Another
great night at Ripley! The evening got off to a cracking start with The Cahonies
a three piece blues band from Cumbria who contacted us via the website a few
months ago. We had never seen The Cahonies play but having listened to their
C.D. and exchanged e-mails we had the feeling they would be right for our
audience. So it proved with the band providing a tight 35 minute set which
set the mood perfectly.
And then the Nimmos - what a power packed band! Alan and Stevie are both superb guitarists with voices to match and the rhythm section maintains the standard. The band are equally at home with slow blues, great dancing music or ballads.
Although the gig was not a sell-out, the audience were tremendously enthusiastic and left us in no doubt they want to see the Nimmos back at Ripley.
March 2002 Parker's Alibi
Just a year after the band first appeared at Ripley, Parker's Alibi returned on what was virtually the last gig of their farewell tour. The show was sold out including a party of 32 organised by regular Geoff Swales of Silsden who travelled on a 1935 coach.
Unfortunately they got The Old Bus Blues as due to mechanical failure they missed the band's first set and arrived stinking of diesel.
Fortunately the band were more reliable than the bus giving another great performance for an appreciative audience. Ian Parker is a huge talent as well being a nice guy and we wish him the best of luck with his new venture.