23rd December 2005 - NINE BELOW ZERO

Review by Andy Herrington

Six years on and here we were back to the beginning - NBZ supported by Jed Thomas. You would have thought by now everything would run automatically without hassle but that is not the way with live music. Nine Below had just returned from the continent and their soundman, John Stephens, and back line equipment were still on the way home so they had arranged to hire drums, etc from our PA company. It appeared that part of the drum kit had not survived the journey from York and I overheard urgent phone calls being made so mentioned we had a drum kit upstairs which was used at our regular jam sessions. By the time Brendan O'Neil had used part of this kit combined with some of the hired equipment he seemed quite pleased so I thought I had better telephone Jim Saxon to see if we could borrow it as he was coming to the gig and might not be amused to see his drums on stage. Later in the evening someone suggested to Jim that he should be flattered that NBZ had used his kit - Jim said that it was Brendan who should be honoured!

So to the music and Jed got us off to a great start first solo and then with the support of bass, fiddle and bongo players. NBZ were given a great reception by the capacity crowd and proceeded to "party" playing tracks from the new album, "Hats Off", mixed with material from throughout their long career culminating with a return to "Live at the Marquee". Many people commented how relaxed the band seemed and they certainly looked to be enjoying it as much as the audience. A great start to Christmas for all concerned and, yes, we are going to do it all again next year on the same date - December 23rd.

There are a couple of messages in the guestbook - why not leave your comments there too?

27th November 2005 - CATFISH KEITH

Review by Katherine and Simon

It was standing room only at the Ripley Blues Club on Sunday 27 November, for the last night of Catfish Keith's 2005 UK tour.

This was our first visit (as non-members) to the club, and both the welcoming laid-back atmosphere and a stunning performance by Mr Keith ensured a brilliant night.

We have been fans for getting on ten years and have seen Catfish on previous tours, and once again we were not disappointed. Promoting his new CD "Sweet-Pea", he gave superb renditions of songs by favourites such as Blind Willie Johnson, Hambone Willie Newbern, Skip James and Jessie Mae Hemphill amongst others.

Playing with either a National baritone tri-cone or a smaller acoustic guitar, and accompanied by a powerful stomping left foot, Catfish provided a couple of hours of magical finger-picking and bottle-neck slide guitar.

He also showed how easy (??) it can be when a string breaks mid-number - just move that lil'ole sting out the way, retune and carry on without missing a note!!!!

All in all, a really enjoyable night - thanks to both Catfish and Ripley Blues.

12th November 2005 - NICKY MOORE's BLUES CORPORATION

Review by Andy Herrington

Since the Blues Corporation's last visit to the Hotel de Ville we have carried out substantial improvements and Nicky was please to see the luxury of a lift to the second floor dressing room. Half an hour later son, Timmy Moore, sought me out exclaiming "dad is stuck in the lift!" One member of the band suggested we leave him there but after 20 minutes we managed to get the door open and the show could go ahead.

As I have been maintaining for some years Nicky has the best voice on the circuit and he used it to good effect during a tremendous set. The current Blues Corporation line up is Timmy on guitar, Eddie Collins on drums, Pete Shaw on bass and Daniel J Kyle on acoustic guitar. The addition of Dan Kyle gives the band a new and very enjoyable dimension. The set comprised numbers from throughout Nicky's career including the opening track from the RipleyBlues CD "Resting in the Blues".

The number of CD's sold afterwards showed what the audience thought of the band and the only mystery was why only about 80 people turned up for a band of this quality - answers on an e-mail please. Finally thanks to local singer/guitarist, Mike Graham, for opening up the show.

10th September 2005 - THE BLUES BAND

Review by Barry Sellers
Rock Steady Music

As a first time visitor to the Ripley Blues Club, I got lost on the way to the upstairs bar and ended up in the bands' dressing room. I thought, there'd be some rock and roll going on in there or something extra for my review but, to my disappointment, they were all sat about watching TV and drinking tea. Well I wasn't disappointed at all when they finally made the stage. With a combined musical experience of over 200 years they certainly did know how to rock and roll.

The first couple of songs were played on an acoustic guitar and mandolin but included the bass and drums, a kind of taster of what's to come. The sound coming from the stage wouldn't have been out of place in a 1940's blues club, and the capacity crowd lapped it up and by the middle of the set they were really rocking with a full electric sound.
Dave Kelly (acoustic, electric and slide guitar), Tom McGuinness (electric, acoustic guitar and mandolin), Gary Fletcher (bass guitar and acoustic guitar) and the ridiculously young looking Paul Jones (harmonica) took it in turns to take the vocals playing songs from their respective solo albums and joint ventures. Not forgetting the drummer, Rob Townsend, who was driving everything from the back. I noticed that Gary Fletcher played a right handed bass upside down which I presume was because he came from an era where left handed guitars just didn't exist so the only alternative was to play like Hendrix did.

The sound was very varied during the evening and ranged from acoustic duo through Dave Kelly's slide expertise and Tom McGuinness' "Firey Stratocaster" to Paul Jones' immaculate harmonica playing (which is about as good as it gets), but always with Blues at the heart.

Apart from tracks from their new album, Thank You Brother Ray a tribute to the late Ray Charles, they included songs from the likes of Blind Willy Johnson and Muddy Waters and their own back catalogue. It was great to hear a band whose music could be heard without being loud or forced. With the usual audience participation section at the end, which could easily have been rehearsed it was so tight, the band left us shouting for more after their encore.

I for one will certainly be returning to the Ripley Blues Club for its unique musical experience.

JULY15th 2005 - DOUBLE BILL - GILES AND DANNY BRYANT'S REDEYEBAND

Review by Andy Herrington

This was originally to be a double bill featuring Scott Mckeon's dividedbythree and Redeyeband but unfortunately Scott had to pull out for personal reasons a couple of days before the show. We were very grateful to Giles for stepping in at short notice and it was great to hear a full set from this band as they had previously only done a support slot.

Terry, the drummer for Giles, had to travel up from London for the gig and due to traffic problems only arrived at 8.15 and had to go straight on and play with no time for a sound check. As a result the sound was a bit dodgy for the start of the set but improved as the night went on. Giles played tracks from all three of their CD's plus a couple of interesting new compositions and the set was well received by the audience.

Next up was Danny with dad Ken on bass and our old friend Dave Raeburn (ex Nimmo Brothers and Hoax) on drums. This was Danny's first visit to Ripley and that guy certainly has got the blues deep within him, both his singing and guitar playing is forceful and passionate. As one of his own numbers relates you don't have to be seventy and from Mississippi to play the blues.

A cracking performance from both bands just a pity there were not a few more people there to enjoy it.

JUNE 18th 2005 - WILKO JOHNSON BAND

Review by Andy Herrington

I booked Wilko knowing a lot of our members were fans but not being too bothered about seeing the band myself - after last night I am a convert! I have never seen such energy (mixed with talent) from three musicians, it was amazing.

From the taking the stage the pace never slackened, not giving the enthusiastic audience the opportunity to applaud as one great number led straight to the next. I had heard the hype about bass player Norman Watt-Roy and it is all true - that man must have been born with his guitar. Evidence of his efforts was the large pool of sweat left on stage when the band had finished.

Wilko himself treated us to all the moves that have been part of his act during the years and drummer Monti kept things driving along brilliantly. Our stewards were apologising to the audience for the air-conditioning not working but for me the extreme heat just added to the atmosphere of an exceptional night. Great to see those walls running with moisture and with this band the air-conditioning would not have stood a chance!

Our friends The Cahonies got the evening off to a cracking start and thanks are due to them for dashing over to Ripley after their afternoon performance at the Ramsbottom Blues Festival.

MAY 27th 2005 - THE COUNTERFEIT STONES

Review by Peter Hustwit

APRIL 16th 2005 - IAN PARKER

Review by Rob White

For me this was bound to be a special show because not only was I going to see Ian Parker, but Ian was augmenting his band with a brass section, and I was going to Ripley Blues for the first time.

Andy first persuaded me to create this website for Ripley Blues four years ago, having seen what I had done for Ian Parker's website (ParkersAlibi.com at that time). I had never met Andy before today, we had spoken on the phone only twice, I think, but as Ripley Blues gained momentum we had of course exchanged hundreds of emails. So now that the renovation work was more or less finished at the Hall, it seemed a great time to accept Andy and Lynne's kind hospitality and go and see what all the fuss was about.

What a magnificent venue! This historic, Gothic-style building with lovely stonework and arches, and stained-glass windows. Bright and airy, with high ceilings and a high stage, good beer, and amiable people who want to listen to the music.

Giles were the support act, and I had been hoping to catch them live for some time. Mark Koehorst has sent me his CDs in the past for comment, and I'm afraid I've been less than ecstatic... but I was looking forward to seeing and hearing them live and they did not disappoint. Mark on guitar and vocals was really good, and Mark's son Piet on bass provided a good backing. Terry Shaughnessy on drums was a real powerhouse, and this power trio raised everyone's pulses ready for the main act of the night.

After a very short break, Ian Parker and his band came on stage. Ian started with his marvellous voice accompanied only by Morg's gentle keys, on "Power of The Gospel". And this wonderful happy, appreciative, respectful audience of well over 200 people were spellbound, you could have heard a pin drop. Then Ian and the band went through the varied set they have developed and honed to perfection over recent tours. I haven't seen the band for two months, and they seemed fresh and different, with new arrangements of current and old songs.

At one point, Wayne had a problem with his snare drum. But completely unfazed, Ian and Morg treated us to their duo rendition of Jimi's "Angel" while the rest of band went off-stage.

Chris Aldridge and Ceri Ashley-Sanders on saxophones added a whole new dimension to the already complete band sound. In my favourite, "Awake At Night", just when my synapses were waving white flags under the thousand megaton onslaught of Ian's emotion-charged crescendos, Morg gave the signal and the saxes came blasting though too. Unbelievable. A night to remember for a very long time. You would have thought that Chris and Ceri were permanent members of the band, they way they merged in so beautifully and subtly. If only Ian had the recognition and rewards he so richly deserves, this big band could become a permanent feature!

Steve was doing all sorts of amazing stuff, tucked away modestly at the side of the stage, providing the essential backing almost invisibly. But greatly appreciated by all. Wayne's drumming was clear and precise, exactly what's needed to keep everything motoring along up the hills and down the precipices. And Morg's twin keyboards and backing vocals were used sparingly and expertly to provide just the right complement for Ian's genius.

All too soon it was over (even though they had played for two hours) but the audience were having none of that. The stomping and clapping ovation went on for ages and was a real display of their appreciation, not just the silly going-through-the-motions you often hear these days. To everyone's surprise Ian came back alone, and played his enthralling acoustic segue of "Everything and More" and "With Or Without You". Not many people admit to liking U2, but everyone knew this song, and Ian's version was just lovely.

Thank you Ian, and the band, and Chris and Ceri, and of course thank you Andy for making it all happen!

Click on any of the small photos above to see a bigger image. Thanks to Janet Calderbank and Barry Jones for allowing me to use their photos in this review. You can see more of their photos of Ian by clicking on their names.

MARCH 5th 2005 - CONNIE LUSH AND BLUES SHOUTER

Review by "Ans"

Wow, it's 8 am on Sunday morning and my ears are still ringing to sounds of Green Mac & Connie Lush and Blues Shouter.

I used to see Dusty Miller perform in some of the small pubs in Leeds. With Green Mac he brought one heck of a show to Ripley Blues. True Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac Blues style. What about that Gibson... the only sad part was Green Mac had to race through some tracks. To sum up, a good crowd pleaser before Connie Lush.

It's been 8 years since I last saw Connie Lush and Blues Shouter. I used to be a roadie for a Leeds based band (Jon Strong) and one Saturday we were invited to play in Sheffield at special event called Sound City or something like that. I had parked up the Tour Bus (a rusty Renault Master) and we just couldn't believe our ears. It was Connie and the Band on stage in the miidle of Shefield giving their all in a big tent, in the middle of town. Gobsmacked I think was the comment of the day.

Last night was no exception. As the set started you just knew that you would be treated to a night of all-out no-holds-barred blues. When you see the distance between Connie and her microphone but hear every word, it all points to the name Blues Shouter.

Not just Connie alone, but the whole band gave 110%. How to work an audience, well I think Connie wrote that book. As she pulled out old classics she talked to us as individuals and laughed and joked all the way to the next track.

Each member had their own showcase. In one with vocals from John, Connie sat side stage and watched some amazing guitar work performed. Carl and Terry provided a tight rythm section that kept the whole set just rolling on.

The old blues classic Connie misplaced the writer for was "Nobodys Fault But Mine" by Blind Willie Johnson. Covered I think at some time by John Renbourne and by Led Zeppelin. How someone can write a blues standard about shopping blew me away "Shoppin" gives a whole new meaning to parting with your hard-earned.

Well I think the opinion of the crowd I was with was "Wow"! A fantastic evening of Blues from Ripley.

What about Ripley's own Blues Festival? now that would be the best in the world - Live from the Ripley Delta! Well, the Ripley Blues itself was a what if...

To Andy and all who made this happen, once again thank you.

See you next time, Ans & Margaret

Other history: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 (in the beginning...)