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Friday 25th April 2008 Mojo Buford LIVE at Castor Village Hall The evening began with three wonderful instrumentals on the upright piano from the always brilliant Jamie Goodwin. He was then joined on stage by the band which consisted of Tommy Allen on guitar/vocals, Chris Lomax on bass and MoJo’s manager/drummer Doug McMinn. Tommy bravely threw himself into a sing-a-long number that placed the evening’s entertainment into the ‘Stadium Rock-Blues’ camp. Any thoughts that we might have had regarding hearing Mojo’s 60’s Chicago style blues were firmly put to one side. Amps were cranked up and we had to settle down and enjoy some ‘good old rock & roll’. George joined them on stage and entered into the spirit of the evening singing and playing harp for all he was worth. Tommy and Chris kept the excitement high by tweaking the volume and it slowly dawned on the audience that they were possibly in the presence of the next big ‘British Blues Guitarist’. Ever inventive and obliging Tommy even helped George out on vocals during the second version of ‘Mojo Working’ and it was interesting to hear the number played as a country and western tune with some nice T-Bone Walker guitar references. Tommy’s own set was Chuck Berry etc; but he did take time out to play a tribute to his favourite blues artist Tom Waits. Most of the audience loved it and I certainly danced the night away. The only problem was that George Buford spent the whole evening playing covers of Muddy Waters songs and in this I feel he was done a great disservice. I know much is made of his association with Muddy Waters; however, he was much more than this and has made some wonderful records of his own. It is these slabs of vinyl that ultimately will become his legacy. If the band had taken the time to rehearse some of these Minneapolis classic recordings the evening would probably have been one to savour and remember. So, an enjoyable night but, sadly, a missed opportunity.
Saturday 12th April 2008 Doug MacLeod LIVE at St Kyneburgha's Church, Castor If you have seen Doug before you will know how good his shows are. With his interesting introductions and tales of the road leading into personal songs. Some are sad, some humorous, but all are held together by his sparse and ‘just right’ guitar playing. This time there was much more and I’m sure that the atmosphere of the beautiful St. Kyneburgha’s Church had a special effect on him. If I was to mention the evening’s highlights I would have to list most of the two and a half hours worth of songs. However, there were two numbers which towered above all the others; the first was ‘This Old River’ - a tribute to a friend who recently died of cancer. Halfway through the song his eyes filled and his voice cracked and was so full of emotion that it was as though we were voyeurs at a personal introspection. The second was ‘I Respectfully Decline’ a song of pathos together with a yearning voice and a slide guitar accompaniment that shimmered and shook so very slowly that it almost had the audience in tears. Both numbers ended in almost stunned silence before the audience erupted. As numerous people said on the night ‘This was the work of pure genius’
Saturday 15th March 2008 Boo Boo Davis LIVE at Castor Village Hall I had long awaited Boo Boo’s Shakedown gig and I guess my mild disappointment with the first set may have been a reaction to high expectations. There was also a few gremlins lurking within the new PA system and Jan Mittendorp’s playing simultaneously bass and guitar through separate amps may have added to my unease. Certainly Boo Boo’s accent left me wondering after each number exactly what had I been listening to and his abrupt ending of the set ten minutes early definitely unsettled me. The sound men scurried about during the break sorting out their problems. The second set kicked in in fine form with a majority of the problems solved. Boo Boo thanked Dave for this on numerous occasions and sang many songs from his three Black & Tan CD’s. Jan Mittendorp and the drummer gelled beautifully and the grooves began to get deeper and by the time they got to ‘Killing Floor’ the audience was entranced. ‘The Snake’ followed and was one of the highlights of the evening with Jan’s unusual droning bass pattern and Boo Boo’s Wolf styled vocals energised the ‘boogie hall’ head bangers. Then seemingly in mid flight Boo Boo again ended this set early and bizarrely wished the audience a safe journey home. Management had to quickly step up on stage to announce that, as usual, there would be a third set. By the start of the third set it was obvious that Jack Daniels had been added to the line-up and this oiling of the wheels accounted for a more relaxed feel. Boo Boo, Jan and John laid back and worked their way through ‘Gotta Keep Your Car Locked’, ‘East St Louis’, ‘Hard-Times’, and ‘All Night Long’ – a ‘Moanin’ At Midnight’ derivative. For me this was the closest you were going to get to Wolf and the grooves were great for dancing to. Another fine night in Castor.
Saturday 16th February 2008 Shorty Billups LIVE at Castor Village Hall Shorty Billups had been in England before, way back in the 70’s, as the drummer with the Oscar Toney Jnr Band, but this was his first appearance in Europe as the star of the show. Flying in from Boston, Mass; especially for this one off Shakedown performance he teamed up with the excellent Dave Thomas Band to work his way through his back catalogue of original material plus covers of standards by people with whom he had worked with over the years. Most of the songs appeared on either his retrospective selection on Solid Gold ‘Alone With Shor’ty’ as he now likes to be called, or the recently recorded ‘Shor’ty’s Got The Blues’ on the same label. An extroverted, snazzy dressing, ladies man, Shor’ty, was everything the audience needed to warm them up on a bitterly cold night. Throughout the three sets he joked, danced, changed costumes and cajoled both the band and the audience to enjoy themselves and ‘have a good time’. This they did, clapping along with the ‘Hoochie Coo’ and learning to dance a rude version of ‘Walking The Dog’. This was Southern Juke Joint fare and the crowd loved it. He continued by milking his own hit from the 50’s ‘Bend A Little’ for all it was worth and ‘Five Long Years’ was surprisingly heartfelt with Shor’ty betraying his gospel roots. ‘Heavy Women (Excite Me)’ was a hoot and Johnny Copelands ‘Rain’ was excellent. The band cooked behind him throughout as though it was just a regular Saturday night gig, with the brilliant pianist Jamie Goodwin together with Stewart Aitken on bass and Ricky Martin’s ex drummer Carlos Palarto following Shor’ty’s every move. Saxophonist Laurie A’Court played out of his skin with fine fills and excellent thoughtful solos. Dave Thomas opened each set with two or three numbers, sometimes with Jamie on piano and other times with the full band. For the remainder of the time whilst Shor’ty was on stage he played guitar intuitively never getting in the way and as with ‘Sky Is Crying’ was at times startlingly inventive. This was yet another wonderful Shakedown session with the barmaids doing a wild and raunchy synchronized boogie to the delight of the beer swilling doctors and solicitors who frequent this unique Blues club. Blues in Britain Review by R.C in Issue 76
Friday 18th January 2008 Emanuel Young and Howard Glazer LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 19th January 2008 Emanuel Young and Howard Glazer LIVE at Castor Village Hall The start of our winter/spring programme brought 69 year old 'unknown' Detroit bluesman Emanuel Young for a weekend of gigs with band leader Howard Glazer. In Stamford Howard took the first 30 minutes to play fine acoustic renditions from his Random Chance CD's. It was well received with the audience doing a sing-a-long with 'Gas Pump Blues' and 'Liquor Store Legend'. In Castor these were played two at a time at the start of each set with a similar reaction from the audience. For the remainder of both evenings Howard was content to play excellent guitar alternating with Emanuel between rhythm and lead. It was obvious that the two had played regularly together and their interplay and empathy was a joy to watch and hear. more ...
Friday 7th December 2007 Muddy Waters Junior LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 8th December Muddy Waters Junior LIVE at Castor Village Hall Click here to see a short clip Mudd Morganfield, as we must now call Muddy Waters Jnr, walked onto the stage in Castor to thunderous applause and proceeded to tear the place apart. Having complained of a sore throat minutes before hand I was astonished to hear his full voice delivery from the off. --> more ... -->
Friday 2nd November 2007 Louis 'Gearshifter' Youngblood LIVE at Castor Village Hall Gearshifter in a five hour marathon gave the Shakedown audience all it could possibly want. Tommy Johnson's 'Big Road Blues' sat comfortably next to Tyron Davis' 'Last Two Dollars' and 'Kidman Blues' was followed by 'Bang Bang on the Headboard'. Pre-war, post-war, R&B, electric, acoustic and soul-blues. You name it - he played it. All of us who were there were privileged to listen to a gentle giant of Southern/Mississippi blues. Forget the dead - Louis is the real deal.
Friday 26th October 2007 Lou Pride LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre According to David Popple Lou looked fitter and Mo’ Indigo was ‘tighter’ than last year. The Play set, according to Dick Cartmel, was more or less the same as before and the capacity audience left wanting more. I was in Vietnam and look forward to seeing him next time round.
Friday 5th October 2007 Joe Jonas & The Whalers LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 6th October 2007 Joe Jonas & The Whalers LIVE at The Castor Village Hall Joe’s harp playing was good, but his strong voice and charismatic presence on stage set him apart from the pack. The song list was covers peppered with self-penned numbers – rather than the other way around – but like B.B. King they all came out sounding fresh and exciting. more ...
Wednesday 12th September 2007 Roy Bookbinder LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Thirty six years after his last Shakedown session Roy was back, still talking his head off and playing great blues. ‘Tales of yesteryear’ were in dispersed with new and old songs both borrowed and self written. Amongst the latter his poignant tribute to the Reverend Gary Davis ‘Just Waitin’ On The Lord’ was outstanding, his collaboration with Jazz Gillum exceptional and ‘Rag Mama’ was just as I remembered it. The highlight of the evening was the long humorous introduction into Davis’s ‘Hesitation Blues’ and his take on Pink’s ‘Travellin’ Blues’. The audience went home happy and they cleared Roy out of CD’s much to my irritation as I still have not got the latest album. Maybe next time.
Wednesday 8th August 2007 Franklin & Baytop LIVE at St. Kyneburgha Church These artists are relatively unknown in the blues community at large but on the evidence of this concert do not deserve to be so. Both hail from Washington DC but theirs is the music of the Carolina's and Virginia artists that they heard in America's capital whilst growing up. Archie Edwards, Warner Williams, John Jackson and Mr Bones were their mentors but Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Dan Stokes and the Reverend Gary Davis were the originators.
Saturday 23rd June 2007 Big George Brock LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre It was worth being discharged from hospital early to be able to attend this wonderful evening of 'Downhome Style' blues by George Brock who fits his 'Big' appellation to a T. In possession of a large frame, a strong voice and a harsh 'Wolf' style harmonica he would have commanded the attention of the audience even if he hadn't been wearing his snappy light blue suit. more ...
Saturday 26th May 2007 Little Willie Littlefield LIVE at The Castor Village Hall The irrepressible bundle of fun that is Willie Littlefield has scant regard for ‘borders’ when it comes to choosing material for an evenings entertainment. With an almost limitless repertoire he usually peppers his sets liberally with transposed versions of country, pop or show tunes that has the audience grinning at the inappropriateness of the material and applauding at the performance. For his second Shakedown performance Willie stamped his feet and pounded the piano to fine versions of, amongst others, ‘Chicken Shack’, ‘Kansas City’, ‘I Can’t Help It’, ‘Gone Fishing’ and the dreadful ‘Spanish Eyes’. If the had worked his way through the telephone directory none of us would have cared. Two wonderful sets left the audience drained but happy by this larger than life ‘great ball of fire’. more ...
Friday 27th April 2007 Eddie Taylor Jnr with Big Joe Louis Band LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 28th April 2007 Eddie Taylor Jnr with Big Joe Louis Band LIVE at The Castor Village Hall David and I had seen and heard Eddie Taylor Junior on stage in Lucerne and we nervously wondered if we could re-create the relaxed sound of The Chicago All-Stars in Stamford. A couple of minutes into the warm up by The Big Joe Louis Band with Orlando Shearer, bass; Peter Greatorex, drums and 'on form' Wes Weston, harmonica (his solos were a great hit with the audience) we knew all would be well. The band was tight and controlled and when after two numbers Eddie joined them on stage he slotted in seamlessly like a hand into a well fitting glove. His understated singing and guitar work wove a spell on the audience and band alike. The journey through the classic Chicago song book was exhilarating. more ...
Sunday 4th March 2007 - 4.30pm Doug MacLeod LIVE at Quayhole Kates Back to Quayhole Kates where Shakedown was revived a couple of years ago; Doug MacLeod presented us with a wonderful program of country style blues with great attitude and finesse. Relaxed and engaging, his often autobiographical songs and stories flowed seamlessly for almost three hours. His deep, first hand knowledge of various regional styles were taught to him on the road by the early masters with whom he travelled and he adheres to their many and varied admonition's such as 'Don't Sing About Nothin' You Ain't Experienced' or 'It Ain't How Many Notes You Play It's How You Play Them That Makes Folks Listen'. more ...
Friday 9th February 2007 Doc Blakey LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 10th February 2007 - 8pm Doc Blakey LIVE at Castor Village Hall www.youtube.com/user/docblakey The audience on Friday night in Stamford was sadly depleted due to weather forecasts of 'black ice'. Those intrepid fans who did venture out were treated to an excellent evening of incendiary blues from the 40 year old bluesman from Nashville, Tennessee whose debut album has made him a front runner in the 'new blues artist to watch' awards. more ...
Saturday 13th January 2007 8pm Artie Blues Boy White & Travis Haddix LIVE at Longthorpe Memorial Hall On the 12th of January I made an epic 500 mile round trip to see these two fine artists in the Longthorpe Village Hall, Peterborough in England. They were backed by the Mike Carr Blues Band, which in fact was an excellent modern jazz outfit whose take on blues was very much from the perspective of the likes of Jimmy Smith & Brother Jack McDuff. (Purists note that there is precedent for this. Think Albert King doing Let's Have A Natural Ball and you'll get the idea.) more ...
Friday 12th January 2007 8pm Travis Haddix & Artie Blues Boy White LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre It's difficult to dislike Travis 'Moonchild' Haddix. After the Mike Carr Trio, featuring the leader's splendidly battered vintage Hammond organ, had warmed themselves and us up with the Jack McDuff swinger 'Lou's Place', Haddix strode on stage with a beaming smile and a cheery wave. He got a warm round of applause from the near sell-out crowd at this comfortable, acoustically limpid venue before playing a note. more ...
Thursday 14th December 8pm Robert 'Wolfman' Belfour LIVE at Mary The Virgin Church, Marholm Friday 15th December 06 8pm Robert 'Wolfman' Belfour Live at Stamford Arts Centre Another sell-out concert, this time in the beautiful 12th century Marholm Village Church. It had been sold as an intimate candlelight concert and so it came to pass. Before the concert Robert had decided that, for religious reasons, he did not wish to sing gospel music. He was also somewhat unsettled by playing in the church and it took the Reverend William Burks assurances that it was fine to go ahead with the blues concert to calm him down. more ...
Friday 24th November 8pm Lou Pride with The Mo' Indigo Blues Band LIVE at Stamford Arts Centre We knew that Lou Prides' sell-out concert would be good but we had no idea that it would be brilliant. From the very start he held the audiences attention with a 'voice to die for' and an engaging patter. Sometimes serious, 'Words of Caution' and sometimes hokum, 'John Lee' (Hooker), his show was all that we could have wished for. Highlights for the audience included the lovely 'Bringing Me Back Home', the plaintiff 'You Were Never Mine' and his huge hit 'I'm Comin' Home in The Morning'. I even enjoyed the inevitable 'Sing-a-long-with-Lou'. A big hand for Mo' Indigo who kept it together and never played a note too many. more ...
Friday 20th October 8pm Millage Gilbert Live @ Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 21st October 8pm Millage Gilbert Live @ Village Hall, Castor Millage is a good guitarist and harmonica player who possess an astonishing voice and an eye for the ladies. He and the Big Joe Louis Trio had played together at the 'Ain't Nothin' But' Blues Bar in London the previous night so that most of the tentativeness and wrinkles had been ironed out by the time they took to the stage in Stamford. Still, the first set remained restrained with Millage taking few chances with material and the band settling down to an evening of 'Sky is Crying', 'Last Night', Jimmy Reed and the Excello song book. In amongst the usual suspects, however, was the wonderfully salacious 'Hoochie Mama' and the brilliantly predatory 'Rooster on a Hen' performed 'down-home' style! This was exactly what the audience wanted and demand for his CD's in the break was heavy. more ...
Thursday 10th August Ethel Caffie-Austin Live @ St Kyneburgha Church, Castor Ethel and Delnora took some time to settle, but after Ethel had told us about her grandfather who was born into slavery and also of how she would scold her guitar playing father at church for playing 'blues licks' - she had the audience in the palm of her hands. This was all by way of an introduction to a medley of old time spirituals. Then, as she sang a beautiful version of 'Motherless Child' she quietly wept. An unbelievable moving moment. more ...
Friday 22nd September Robert Penn Live @ Stamford Arts Centre Saturday 23rd September Robert Penn Live @ Village Hall, Castor A hyped up Robert Penn tore through an eclectic mix of blues, soul, motown and 'What a wonderful world' in an amazing 'solo' set at The Stamford Arts Centre. Towards the end of an exhausting two hours I felt as though I was listening to a human jukebox. Terrific Stuff. See review in Blues & Rhythm more ...
Thursday 18th May Little Willie Littlefield Live @ The Village Hall, Castor A complete sell out and Willie was utterly brilliant. Please come back again. Reviews will appear in Juke Blues and Blues & Rhythm.
Sunday 23rd April Doug MacLeod Live @ The Lakeside Café, Nene Valley, Peterborough This time around word had got round and the show was sold out. Doug arrived with three minutes to spare, sat down and launched into Long Black Train - his Shakedown signature tune. Having captured the audience he laid back and entertained for three short hours. Sold two boxes of CD's.
Friday 17th March Wallace Coleman Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre with The Blues Crusaders Saturday 18th March Wallace Coleman Live @ The Village Hall, Castor A phenomenal Wallace Coleman sang through an absolutely brilliant exhibition of Down Home Blues playing whilst dragging the band kicking and screaming back to the 50's. See Dave William's review Juke Blues # 208.
Frank Ace Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with The Blues Crusaders Saturday 18th February Frank Ace Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre with The Blues Crusaders The village hall show was meant to be a relaxed run-through for the Saturday concert. In the event, Frank and the band treated the audience with three hours tour de force featuring most of the 'Get On Line' album and a few standards. Exhausting. See Fred Rothwell's write-up in Juke Blues # 61. more ...
Friday 20th January 2006 Reverend Robert B Jones - Holy Blues II Live @ St. Kyneburgha's Church Castor - solo performance Saturday 21st January Reverend Robert B Jones Live @ Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance The church concert was a sell-out, served great mulled wine and was a setting to die for. Robert was the consummate entertainer. Brilliant guitarist, excellent singer, wonderful story teller and a very good song writer. The complete package. He even brought his wife Bernice over to knock out the audience with he powerful voice. Oh, I forgot to add that they are lovely people! For the following day, see Dave William's write-up in Juke Blues #61. Peterborough Evening Telegraph gave the church concert 5*.
Sunday 11th December Michael Roach Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance Another great performance. Unfortunately I was on holiday in the Maldives. Quelle domage!
Saturday 3rd December Willie Richardson Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with Blues Crusaders Looking a little frail, this 70 year old from St Louis stole the audience's heart with three hours of solid blues mixing standards with self penned numbers. By now Jeremy Watson has taken control of Ma GrInders and 'The Blues Crusaders' were born. Highlight, musically, was a spine chilling 'Sky Is Crying' whilst he endeared himself to the village audience by bursting into tears on the last number and announcing that he was too overcome to carry on. 5* write-up in Peterborough Evening Telegraph. On returning home, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away on the 28th April 2006.
Sunday 20th November Otis Taylor Band Live @ The Village Hall, Castor Not strictly blues, certainly blues influenced. Superb musicians and wonderful music. See write up in Juke Blues # 60
Sunday 13th November Harrison Kennedy Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance Big, hairy, with shades and a tweed jacket, Harrison delighted the audience with numbers from his 'Sweet Taste' and 'Voice Story' CD's. he saved 'Give Me Just A Little More Time' for the audience participation closer. Good fun and highly entertaining.
Tuesday 6th September James Wheeler Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre with Big Blue House The audience was bowled over by the wonderfully aggressive rhythms emanating from James' guitar - whilst the excellent Blue House Band drove through his varied songbook. Stunning.
Friday 16th September Texas Johnny Brown Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre with Ma Grinders Blues Mission II Like Johnnie Bassett, this man can play anything and it exudes class. See Dave Evans review Juke Blues # 60.
Saturday 8th October Mississippi T.W Harmonica Bean Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with Big Blue House Sunday 9th October Mississippi T.W Harmonica Bean Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performanc Great rough and ready Mississippi Blues with lashings of Little Walter style harmonica with a cooking Big Blue House (who substituted for MA Grinders). Had the audience pleading for more after three hours of hard work. The following day Terry was keen to chill out with the audience and played lots of standards from his various CD's together with a couple of brilliant lengthy Mississippi hill-country style blues numbers. Another three hours which seemed like three minutes.
Saturday 18th June Alvin Anderson Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with Ma Grinders Blues Mission II Sunday 19th June Little Pink Anderson Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance Alvin rocked Castor with Ma Grinders on the hottest day of the year and the audience loved him. The following afternoon he sat and played guitar and sang mainly standards from his Music Maker CD mixed with soul. However, the highlight of both shows was a beautiful yearning self-penned blues ballad - sorry can't remember the title - which sent tingles down the spine. He should write more.
Sunday 22nd May Doug Macleod Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance One of the few white artists that I collect. It was a pleasure to meet him. The show was all you could have wanted it to be. He even did a knockout version of 'Long Black Train' from his 1st Hightone LP! Only 35 people attended, but sold 28 CD's.
Saturday 7th May J.C Billy Davis Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with Ma Grinders Blues Mission II Excellent showman (three costume changes). Good repertoire taken from his Blue Teardrops and Scorpio albums. The newly formed 'Ma Grinders Blues Mission' really beginning to come into their own.
Sunday 24th April Ernie Payne Live @ The Stamford Arts Centre - solo performance Great show - I love his 'Nothing Wrong With Texas That Leaving Won't Fix'. Not sure that it is blues - think John Hiatt. Small audience - sold a whole bunch of CD's.
Thursday 24th March Johnnie Bassett Live @ The Village Hall, Castor Ma Grinders Blues Mission II Sublime as always. Sold buckets of CD's. Villagers hanging from the rafters!
Saturday 19th February Robert Penn Live @ The Village Hall, Castor with Ma Grinders Blues Mission II From the off, Robert grabbed the audience by the proverbials. Charismatic stage presence coupled with an abundance of talent. He excelled himself on 'Touch Me' and my own favourite 'If You're Going To Walk Over Our Love Take Off Your Shoes'. Superb performance and another 5* rating in Peterborough Evening Telegraph.
Thursday 6th January 2005 Travis Haddix Live @ Quayhole Kates, Stamford with Lloyd Watson's Band Wonderful show which earned a 5* rating in Peterborough Evening Telegraph. Finest moments were excellent versions of 'Andy's', 'Acute Blues Syndrome' and 'Cut Off Your Money' from the 'Blues from Staghorn St' Album. Lovely guitarist and a good friend. Lloyd, as always, gave his all.	Click image to enlarge