NINE BELOW ZERO on December 19th 2009

Nine Below Zero already in breach
of the Copenhagen Accord!

19 December 2009 was the very day that a press release was issued confirming an agreement of sorts on climate change between major developed and developing country leaders. Known as the Copenhagen Accord, its main point was to limit future increases in global temperature to less than 2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away on a bitterly cold night in Ripley, Nine Below Zero were playing their 11th consecutive Christmas gig at the Hotel de Ville. Snow was on the ground and it was still falling as I entered the front door.

Dennis Greaves came in just after me, well wrapped up …. it may actually have been closer to 9 degrees below zero than on any of their previous visits. They were soon to set the temperature rising though. Neither NBZ nor the audience had been put off by the weather …. A mark of respect to all Ripley-ites and the band themselves.

Apart from the music, what's so great about Ripley is the almost family-like atmosphere …. but without any of the friction and fighting! The usual three friendly faces were there at the door to meet and greet, flog a few raffle tickets and generally make everyone feel welcome. It makes a big difference …. As does the sound of "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for the famous Ripley Raffle & Ripley Chicken!" …. You know what you're getting with Ripley Blues - It does what it says on the tin!

The set was split into two …. well over twenty songs. Some were old favourites and the new ones are destined to become favourites in the future …. starting with Mechanic Man, I'm So Alone and a fantastic riff on Hit The Spot - all from their latest album "It's Never Too Late!"

Old songs …. Don't Point Your Finger, Three Times Enough, a great harp solo on I Can't Quit You Baby, 11 + 11 …. the first half closed with two new ones - Little by Little and The Story of Nathan John. This last track saw Dennis' son take over on drums whilst the drummer did the vocals. It worked a treat!

Second half opened with Canned Heat's On The Road Again, Down By The River …. A new one Breaking Down and then one of the best of the evening - Stone Fox Chase. Recorded by Charlie McCoy and Area Code 615, it was made famous as the theme tune for Whispering Bob's OGWT. The audience were stomping and so was the band!

…. Ridin' On the L + N, Can I Get A Witness, Sugar Pie Honey Bunch segued into Band On The Run, Hang 'Em High …. Too much to keep a note of - my writing had degenerated into a total scrawl by this time through sheer excitement. I must take an extra Blood Pressure tablet next time!

The band trooped off, only to be brought back for a rousing encore. The time had gone so quickly - a really great night.

Expect nothing less of Nine Below Zero …. Especially at Ripley!

Nine Below Zero played a blinder, they certainly raised the temperature in the room by more than 2 degrees Celsius and contributed to a general warming of the hearts and minds of all those who were present.

Let's hope they return for Christmas 2010 …. but in the meanwhile, thanks to all connected with Ripley and here's to another year of top quality music at one of the most respected blues venues in the country.

Review by Barry Travena

THE HAMSTERS on November 7th 2009

Move Over Rover …. Let The Hamsters take over!

Some 25 years ago I had a couple of rats as pets. My next-door neighbour at the time saw them and shrewdly thought they looked like rats. I told him, however, that they were Syrian hamsters. If he'd been John McEnroe, he could have replied "You cannot be Syrian" - but he wasn't and he didn't! They were Sprague Dawley rats and they made lovely pets, but they were not hamsters.

Syrian hamsters display crepuscular behaviour - being most active at dusk and dawn. However, the species of Hamster that played at Ripley - Mesocricetus Hendrixauratus - were the real deal. They were also fully active between the hours of 8 and 11 at night …. playing a fabulous set!

One look at their website suggests they may be totally bonkers and barking mad - but that wasn't the case. The music, however, was wild baby! ….

The trio took to the stage with the Lead guitarist wearing a very appropriate Day Glo orange shirt adorned with Hendrix images. They started their set with "Are You Experienced?" and the pace did not let up right through to the end.

I'm not really familiar with ZZ Top's music …. But I might have to get to be as it sounded good. The Hamsters stamped their own seal on the music, alternating between Hendrix and ZZ Top songs ….

Stone Free, Wind Cries Mary, Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire, Voodoo Chile, Hey Joe …. - classic Hendrix songs, all came in the first half.

Nice touch on the raffle as well - if 6 turned out to be 9 - very clever!

The second half started with a change of shirt … Purple - again very appropriate …. And then we were off with a ZZ Top track which led into Foxy Lady, The Devil's chord introduced us to Purple Haze, All Along The Watchtower ….

I think I recognized Gimme All Your Lovin' and Every Girl's Crazy 'Bout a Sharp Dressed Man towards the end …. Guitar and bass went walkabout in the audience …. guitars glittering in the dark, swapping instruments as well …. showing exactly how classy an act The Hamsters are.

Angel was a more than suitable encore.

Jimi died September 18th 1970 and The Hamsters are due to do a 40th Anniversary Tour tour next year to commemorate his death. I hope that Ripley can be included in that tour.

Yet again Andy had come up trumps with another great gig at The Hotel de Ville. It was standing room only and may even have been a sell-out.

I remember the impact Jimi's music had first time round …. I wonder if he would have been surprised at how well it has stood the test of time? It was no flash in the pan …. Wah Wah and feedback were here to stay.

The Hamsters pay full respect, but add their own touches as well. Surprisingly to me at least, ZZ Top did not sound out of place …. But the Hendrix tracks stood out …. Move Over Rover - Let The Hamsters take over!

Review by Barry Travena

JUNCO PARTNERS & GREEN MAC on September 19th 2009

If Carlsberg did Blues Clubs ….

They'd be just like Ripley!

In many ways this evening's gig was a mirror to the past. The crowd were there not just to listen to the bands …. They were there to celebrate 10 years of Ripley Blues and show their appreciation of the work done by everyone connected with the Club. The evening was free to longer standing members and everyone got a drink on the house!

Quoting the Ripley website, "Who would have thought it possible when Andy Herrington first wrote off for a Nine Below Zero CD and jokingly asked if they would play a gig at Ripley. When the reply came from Gerry McAvoy that they could do September 4th 1999 it was no longer funny".

Two days before the gig only 40 tickets had been sold and it wasn't looking good. However, the day before the event the Yorkshire Post gave NBZ a big thumbs-up. Their recommendation ensured that over 100 people turned up.

Andy had received a lot of help from his wife Lynne and family, as well as his fellow music loving friend Peter Bellerby. When NBZ took to the stage it fulfilled Andy's dream of his favourite band in his own back yard.

Despite losing money on the gig, it seems that everyone just needed this touch of fate to get the ball rolling. That was just the beginning ....

It seems that it had taken some 3 years to sort a date for Junco Partners to play Ripley. A legendary band in the North East, they brought a contingent of Geordies with them and there was a really good mellow vibe in the Hotel de Ville.

But first up on stage was Green Mac. They got through 15 tracks from the early years of Fleetwood Mac. I wrote the titles down, but there's no point in naming them as most people were familiar with most of the songs.

What is important is to say that Green Mac played them beautifully in my opinion and the audience appreciated that fact. It was like being transported back 40 years to the old Art School circuit. I really enjoyed the set.

It was nice to hear the songs being announced along with a bit of history about each song. Also nice to hear Bob Brunning's name mentioned and The Sunflower Blues Band. I used to have a copy of Bullen Street Blues …. I wonder where it went?

Sometimes nostalgia is just that …. a memory of the times and the people. But in this case, it was more than that. The music sounds as fresh today as it did back then and as it will do in another 40 years. That is a sign of quality …. both in terms of original song and Green Mac's musicianship.

Down the road came a Junco Partner
Boy, he was loaded as can be
He was knocked out, knocked out loaded
He was a wobblin' all over the street

Didn't get to the bottom of why the lead singer was dressed in a white raincoat with black armband. Perhaps it was Geordie chic! No matter - it all seemed just right. The music was top drawer and the set first class …. JJ Cale, Sonny Boy Williamson, BB King, Howling Wolf, Jesse Fuller, Elmore James …. Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd.

Mack Rice's "Mustang Sally" for Betty at the bar, also saw the sax player take a walk in the audience and end up on one of the tables.

It was another example of a quality band playing timeless music. Let's hope it's not three years before they come back.

Half-way through their set, Andy took to the stage to propose a vote of thanks

" To the chaps on the door who also look after CD sales and flog raffle tickets. The sound men, the webmaster, the bar staff, Hutchinson's Butchers who support the celebrated Ripley raffle and last but not least the audience

It was another great evening …. one in which Andy and everyone else behind the Ripley Blues phenomenon can take pride.

Review by Barry Travena

THE STUMBLE & Chantel McGregor Band on September 5th 2009

Chantel celebrates her BA with blow-out gig ….
The Stumble play a blinder!

I was there early to take my seat at the back of the hall as the audience filtered in. The Chantel McGregor band were on-stage doing their sound check and running through what would be their opening song. Even that got a round of applause which was a sure indication that both the band and the audience were up for it.

And that's exactly how it happened!

The music flowed …. Seven songs in an hour long set just flew by. Joe Bonamassa, Sonny Boy Williamson II's "Help Me" -

"You gotta help me
Can't do it all by myself".

That was true - bass and drums are very solid. They help Chantel showcase her considerable guitar skills admirably. The audience were also on-side, especially on the third track during which it seemed as if a string broke. Chantel replaced her guitar in a calm and measured way …. What's more is that she came back in right on the note and the beat. She wasn't fazed at all! The audience hollered.

Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny" followed. There is a clip on You Tube of this instrumental from the recent Colne Festival. It also had the Ripley audience spellbound.

Spellbound indeed …. led into Robin Trower's "Daydream" - a slower and funkier version than when she did it on her last visit to Ripley. Then came Hendrix's "Red House" and the final song which was done as a pretend encore.

It can't be long before this band headline in their own right and a CD must be in the pipeline as well.

My own personal feeling is that the Chantel McGregor band are going to be very big. They could even conquer America given the chance. One day people will look back at their gigs at Ripley Blues and remember them fondly "I was there when …."

It was the third time at the Club for both bands and the second time that they have appeared together. Could The Stumble step up to the plate? It would be a hard act to follow.

Their introduction was an instrumental - the two guitars, bass and drums. A very solid Chicago blues sound. Colin Black was to the back right of the stage - looking cool in hat and shades …. throwing out stabbing chords and notes from his guitar.

The saxman then took to the stage and finally the singer. It seems that he'd taken the wrong turning at the castle and had been sat in the courtyard for 25 minutes. He was here now though and he certainly made his presence felt!

About half the songs were taken from their new album "The Houngan". I had no idea what the hell a Houngan was but Google told me - an initiated High Priest of Vodoun. What's Vodoun I hear you say ….

…. not entirely sure - but were The Stumble reclaiming the ancient Vodoun heritage of the Diaspora by playing at Ripley? No, not really …. but what they were doing was playing a fabulous set which drew the audience in - so perhaps they were The Houngan after all.

Son House himself said "The Blues ain't nuthin' but a man and a woman" and when The Stumble played the blues you could hear the truth in that.

The Paul Butterfield song "I got a mind to give up living …. and go shopping instead" was apparently the audition song when the singer applied to join the band. I can see why he was successful. It was also the song during which the saxman went walk-about in the audience.

The songs kept on coming - Your Love For Me, Sugar Don't Taste So Sweet, Colin Black's favourite song Kind Girl, Bus Stop, The Houngan, BB King's You Upset Me Baby, Flesh and Bone, Ain't Nobody's Business ….

The excitement kept building and building. It culminated in much stomping and clapping and two encores. For the last one the singer appeared wearing his mother's tablecloth as they played the old Hound Dog Taylor song "Give Me Back My Wig".

Chantel played great and she was a hard act to follow, but The Stumble played out of their skins. The audience were reluctant to leave …. not surprising really as they'd just witnessed one of the best double-headers I've ever seen.

To quote Blues in Britain - "The Stumble is now rightly recognised throughout the UK as a band of the highest quality". No argument from me there …. but the Chantel McGregor Band is closing in quickly. You heard them here at Ripley!

Thanks again to Andy and all the other folks at Ripley for making it such a memorable evening. Let's hope both these bands make it back here soon. If I get to see them again, I must remember to take an extra blood pressure pill!

Review by Barry Travena

IAN SIEGAL & Graham Robinson on June 13th 2009

"Stranger than a Green Dog"
Graham Robinson and Ian Siegal review 13 June 2009

Graham Robinson is an ex-pat Geordie now living in Lancashire. His blues interest was originally sparked by the playing of Peter Green, but he quickly found himself returning to the roots of the music and this was evident from the selection of songs he played.

Opening with Diddy Wah Diddy followed by Lonnie Johnson's 1934 song ….

"Now she ain't good lookin', she don't dress fine. The way that gal can love, change any man's mind …. I'm nuts about that gal ...."

…. this was followed by some Blind Boy Fuller songs - "Brown Skin Sugar Plum", "Jitterbug Rag" with a Sleepy John Estes track "Broken Hearted, Ragged and Dirty" thrown in for good measure.

The closer was "Rag Mama Rag" played without washboard!

Only 7 songs and surprisingly no encore, but the time went quickly - sure sign of a good set. Graham even commented on how quiet and appreciative the audience were. The Ripley crowd was a mix of grey hair, no hair and youth. They know what they like and they recognise good quality music.

Ian Siegal is seriously cool - pretty fly for a white guy. Otis Redding Jr describes him as "The most soulful light-skinned brother I know" …. after seeing him live, you have to know what he means. I could see him doing a soundtrack for a Quentin Tarantino film.

He first appeared wearing what looked like an alligator skin jacket …. whatever it was, that jacket stirred envy in my soul. He dispensed with it as he came on stage and the band were up and running with their first appearance at Ripley.

The songs kept a-coming …. their version of John Lee Hooker's "Groundhog Blues" is a fabulous track - "You Lowdown Dog, You Dirty Groundhog". Then a track from "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", a Bo Diddley medley followed by a slow n dirty blues and a brand new song, which Ian said would be on their new album released later this year. Can't wait!

Whether Earth is the only planet Ian inhabits is open to debate. Throughout he kept dropping surreal pearls of wisdom - "If you hold a chicken upside down it can't swallow". "A donkey will sink in quicksand but a mule won't". "Bats always turn left when exiting a cave".

Well I'm not certain about that last one - he might have to reconsider! It could have something to do with the Coriolis effect and whether the bat is in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

He had a Fonzie moment, expressing his pleasure at the elevation he'd achieved with his DA haircut, bemoaning the perils of brylcreem in the eyes. He also involved the audience with details about the rip which had appeared in his jeans and a direct plea for a drink.

More songs followed …. "Quarantine", "Revelator" which is another great song and the set closed with a track by Glaswegian Big George Ross Watt, a man who Ian acknowledges as being a strong musical influence. That was it! - the band left the stage …. but returned after wild applause to give an enthusiastic audience an extended encore which went down a treat.

Ian expressed his admiration for the compositions of Townes Van Zandt as he gave us two solo songs. Then the two other talented members returned to the stage …. Andy Graham on bass and Nikolaj Bjerre on drums, as they launched into three more songs including The Band's song "The Weight" ….

"Take a load off Annie, Take a Load for Free. Take a load off Annie and you put the load right on me. I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide ..."

…. but there was no need to hide as the band finished off with a medley which segued from T Rex' Twentieth Century Boy to The Stones' "It's Only Rock n Roll". Sounds unlikely, but it sure worked.

I absolutely love it when I come across music I've not heard before but which drives me crazy! It really did hit the spot. The last time I experienced this was when I heard Jeremy Lindsay from the group JT and The Clouds when he played the UK with Po' Girl.

As Mr S. said when introducing one of his songs as new "if you've not heard us before they're all new!"

There's so much great music about at the moment and Ripley more than plays its part getting it to the people. Andy and his team can't be praised highly enough.

I've ordered the More Meat and Potatoes album and must have the rest as well …. but I want to savour each one, because this music deserves that. Whether I can resist temptation remains to be seen!

I hope that Ian Siegal returns to Ripley next year - in fact it would be great to see him as the only act. From what I saw and heard, I think the band could play all night long.

The man is indeed stranger than a green dog and maybe because of that his music is both hypnotic and appealing.

Review by Barry Travena

THE NIMMO BROTHERS & Dave Speight on May 15th 2009

The Weekend Starts Here! - Return of The Nimmos

Gig Review 15 May 2008

Friday is a good night for a gig - especially this one as it allowed Ripley-ites to experience the pleasures of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday! Well, maybe not ….

For people of a certain age the "The Weekend Starts Here" conjures up images of a mini-skirted Cathy McGowan introducing Ready Steady Go back in 1963 - Swinging Sixties, Carnaby Street…. Gary Glitter was the show's tea-boy when he was known as Paul Gadd .... Gary couldn't be at the show tonight.

I was born the same year as my then hero Stevie Winwood, I would nervously prepare for a night out at the coffee bar or party by putting on a polka-dot cravat, pretending to be him …. feeling petrified in case a girl would speak to me. The anticipation and excitement was nearly overwhelming.

Over 45 years later my preparation for this gig was slightly different .... I had to lie down on the bed for a couple of hours rest before hand! However, the feeling of excitement was still there.

Dave Speight says of himself "I've been playing and singing the blues for over 40 years ... with more and more feeling that I have good reason to do so as I age. The fingers may have slowed .... but the voice still works".

How true! He started off with Big Bill Broonzy's Willie Mae giving us 12 songs in total. Luke Jordan's 1927 blues "Church Bell Blues" was followed by an impressive version of Gus Cannon's "Last Chance Blues" which drew the loudest applause. Dave had succeeded in getting the attention and respect of the near full house. No mean feat for a solo artist.

More traditional songs and anecdotes followed …. Milk Cow Blues, Lonnie Johnson's "Tomorrow Night". The closing song was a delta blues until he was encouraged back for a double encore.

First was Bessie Smith's Going Back To My Used To Be. He dedicated his final song, taken from the 1936 film 'Sing Baby Sing', to a Catholic nun Sister Anne Marie to whom he used to sing:

When did you leave heaven
Why did they let you go
How is ev'rything in heaven
Tell me, 'cause I want to know

Why did you trade heaven
For all these earthly things
What did you do with your halo
Where did you leave your wings

Do they miss you
Could you get back in
If I kissed you
Would it be a sin

I am only human
But you're so divine
When did you leave heaven
Angel of mine

Great set!

Last at Ripley in September 2007, The Nimmos returned to huge applause. Not many stayed seated - it was sheer raw excitement.

In total they gave us 16 songs mostly taken from their earlier albums. The two guitarist brothers Alan and Stevie are slightly different in their playing styles, but both impressive … think Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and John Mayalls Bluesbreakers.

The bass player was solid. The drummer was manic - white haired, eyes rolling as if he was receiving signals from outer space!

The pace didn't let up throughout - slow blues, fast blues, medium blues. "In My Mind" from Moving On, "Long Way From Everything", "See Through Your Eyes" - dedicated to Rachel in the audience - both from the Coming Your Way album.

The encore was "Black Cat Bone" also from the album Moving On and something I've not seen before - the brothers inter-changing hands on their guitars. Hell of an encore.

The audience trouped out as a sweat drenched Nimmo appeared at the exit to sign CDs. I'd be surprised if The Nimmos don't get invited back again along with Dave Speight as well.

Yet another success for Ripley Blues - roll on Ian Siegal next time.

The weekend had well and truly started!

Review by Barry Travena

BLOCKHEADS & Chantel McGregor on April 18th 2009

We were laughing in a daydream
With the world beneath our feet
….
We were spellbound

Blockheads and Chantel McGregor Gig review

It’s a year since Chantel McGregor brought her band to Ripley Blues - rave reviews on both occasions!
The Voodoo Chile takes the stage  ….

She’s coming down the road, boy
She’s coming down the road
Red dress on, yeah
She’s got her red dress on

…. you can’t help but be taken with how petite she is, but when she starts to play that kind of idea goes out the window. I love what she plays and the style she plays in. I was transported back in time. Seven tracks – an instrumental, Robin Trower, Ten Years After …. sounds of Hendrix, blues, rock, metal and hints of hallucination.

The band were tight – solid bass and jet-propelled drumming.

It was a sell out gig - people were there for The Blockheads but they were all in there listening to Chantel McGregor as well. The band left the stage to loud applause and much acclaim. Great set! Roll on September when she’s back again.

The Blockheads kicked off with Sex n Drugs n Sausage Rolls and the pace never let up. Old favourites and tracks from their first album “Where’s The Party?” – even an old Kilburn’s song got thrown in for good measure

Dirty Money and Prophet of Doom sounded ace – both from the new album “Staring Down The Barrel”.

Sweet Gene Vincent was especially moving. Played at Ian’s last concert at the London Palladium in February 2000, this time it was dedicated to Ian and the emotion shone through from both the band and the audience.

Their set was a mix of funk, rock and heavy bass with saxman Gilad Atzmon adding an “other worldly” dimension to the mix – especially on Prophet of Doom where he played accordion, Clever Trevor and  Life in Your Hands.

The closer was Rhythm Stick where the band each took solos and the encore was Reasons to be Cheerful.

You know what you’re going to get with The Blockheads and they don’t disappoint. While Ian Dury is inextricably linked with the Blockheads, they can take pride in the fact that they deliver the goods in their own name as well.

The Blockheads have just featured on the Jonathan Ross Show - one week Ripley the next the BBC!

On her website Chantel says “Ripley is lovely …. The Town Hall is a lovely place, one of those lovely buildings full of character. Tonight is the Blockheads …. really nice people as well as being excellent musicians. We’ve a one hour set before the Blockheads which seemed to fly by, just a great night”.
….

We were spellbound

Review by Barry Travena

NICKY MOORE & Bluesville on March 28th 2009

Three Hundred Pounds of Heavenly Joy

Nicky Moore Gig Review

I was a little late for the gig after walking my greyhound through the deserted streets of Ripley. Approaching the venue, sounds from the support band floated over the ether …. building anticipation.

Entering the hall was just a rush and a feeling of pure excitement. It reminded me of Art School gigs back in the Sixties. The band were into their third number and it sounded good. I got a seat towards the back - well placed for sound and view. The room was pretty full with people also standing round the sides.
Bluesville are fronted by lead singer Sharon Colgan. The band was tight, the lead guitar was sweet and Sharon sings well – the songs kept coming Eva Cassidy’s “Drowning In A Sea of Love”, one of Sharon’s favourites “Stormy Monday, Deep Purple’s Mistreated - “I've been mistreated, I've been abused. I've been struck downhearted, baby, I've been confused” - with a great guitar solo.
The set closed with Wild Wild Women, which I take it was not a reference to the 1968 British Sitcom starring Barbara Windsor. The band left to deserved acclaim, to be replaced after a 20 minute break with Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation.

“All you girls think the days are gone
You don't have to worry, you can have your fun
Take me, baby, for your little boy
Three hundred pounds of heavenly joy
This is it
This is it
Look what you get”

What we got was the big man seated centre front of the stage, flanked by guitarist Daniel J. Kyle seated left. His son Timmy on lead guitar stood to his right while bassist Pete Shaw and new drummer Wes Johnson on drums backed them up.

Once voted “Top Live Blues Band” by Radio 2 listeners, I think they could still live up to that claim. His strong voice and personality fill the stage, but not to the exclusion of the excellent musicians in the band. This is blues rock of high quality.

The band worked their way through some 16 or so songs taken mostly from back catalogue and their latest CD Hog On A Log. Occasionally, the big man gave us some background information to the songs …. tales of priapic 15 year olds, dodgy doings on number 172 buses, replacement drummers and illegal Spanish aliens

The set closed to a standing ovation and encore and the audience filed out leaving Nicky himself flogging and signing CDs at the front of the stage.

The Ripley streets beckoned again - and home …. ready for the next time.

Another Ripley Blues success – does it get much better than this?

Review by Barry Travena

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