REVIEWS

The Hop Pocket, Chorley. December 20, 2007.

This was the first time I'd ever seen The Blues Blasters. To my undying shame, I have to confess I'd never actually heard the name before. Well I have now! Once seen, never forgotten. During many years earning a living behind the scenes on live concerts, I've toured with some world renowned musicians, including Jeff Beck, Marl Knopfler, Nils Lofgren, Genesis, Level 42 - I could go on. I even worked with the Fabulous Thunderbirds at their peak in the late 80's, so I know how good it gets.

All I can say is that I was absolutely blown away by this band. For that is what they truly are - a band. The Blues Blasters songs are carefully selected, the pace never lets up, the rhythm section is as tight as I've ever come across and all the lead instruments are superbly played. What's even more impressive is their addictive sense of fun and what really did it for me was how effortless this seasoned bunch of troubadours made it all look. Last time I enjoyed a band this much, Ry Cooder was out front, John Hiatt's band provided the backing and 2,600 fans were crammed into a hot and sweaty Manchester Apollo.

Enough already. If you want an unforgettable night out, bring your mates, wives, girlfriends, neighbours and invite that bloke across the street who you never really liked. Oh, and bring your dancing shoes too!

Thank you chaps, it was an absolute delight.

Steve Swithin - now just another punter......

One of the most popular bands to perform at BJ’s Blues Club (and quite rightly so!).

Is it their musicianship, charisma, professionalism or stage antics that make them so irresistible? I would suggest all the above actually!

Starting off (as always) with the guitar of John Brett and ‘Lousiana 12 bar’ the Bluesblasters launched into a tirade of rockin’ blues that had the very enthusiastic and knowledgeable blues audience rocking with the band every step of the way.

I’m not going mention the whole set list, but my personal favourite is the Fabulous Thunderbird’s number ‘Full time lover’ featuring the awesome lead guitar of John Brett. Apart from the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Chuck Berry,I should mention that the majority of the high calibre Bluesblasters material is actually self-penned by Chris Gee.

The band consists of the rather quiet (but nonetheless magnificent) John Dickinson on rhythm guitar, Andy Schemet on bass guitar/backing vocals & fun, the small but potent force of Henry Quick on drums, Paul Minshull on world class keyboards, Chris (Wizz) Gee on absolute supreme vocals/harmonica and John Brett on stunning lead guitar and lunacy.

It’s easy to get carried away with superlatives during a review, but the Bluesblasters lend themselves to superlatives. Even though their two cd’s are excellent (my 3 year old dances to nothing else!) the stage show of the Bluesblasters just has to be experienced.

What really strikes me about the Bluesblasters is that they look they’re just having a bit of a laugh on stage. However, when you’re that good, you simply make it look easy!

Another new band another success, the BB'S brought their own brand of rockin blues to the kings and did they rock, yes they did. They put some self penned numbers in and kept the sounds chugging away, the audience were on the dance floor shaking a leg or two as the band relentlessly played rockin tunes without losing the pace once. Normally with blues bands they lapse into the slow numbers but not these lads, two numbers self penned which stood out were Red Red Eyes and the final number which was a good semi slow ballady type called Always Missing You..A very pleasing debut and well worth a second booking.

Bluesblasters 21/1/05

The popular blues band returned with a foot stompin toe tappin finger crackin gig. All the numbers played were up tempo and catchy and the piano player must have been on something as he was heard on every number. Its good to see a band enjoying themselves and also good to see people on the dance floor. Although not a blues fan myself this kind of blues suits me I call it good time blues. The band left to cheers from the crowd and that says enough for me.

A brilliant six piece band comprising of Chris (Wizz) Gee on vocals/harmonica, Andy Schemet bass, Henry Quick drums, John Brett guitar, John Dickinson guitar and Paul Minshull on keyboards. Between them they have 150 years of gigging experience. Their vast experience showed in the two sets as most of the songs they performed were penned by themselves, and very good too. Starting with "Louisiana 12 Bar, "Big City Small Town" and "Honey You Should See Me Now" they followed with a great song by Lightning Hopkins "Nothing But The Blues". Also in this first set we were treated to some great songs from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Chuck Berry and others. As the first set drew to a close more and more folk came in and sat eagerly awaiting the start of the next set. The lads got underway with a great Chuck Berry song "Never Can Tell" after which they went into overdrive, with more from The Thunderbirds and lots more of their own songs. "Mercury Blues" by James Harman featured Johnny on slide guitar along with the Thunderbirds "Why Get Up". "Red Red Eyes" "She's Ready Now" and "4 Time Boogie" all their own songs were excellent. As they finished for the night, the band members in turn walk off stage whilst playing "My Heart Is Always Missing You" leaving Chris to finish it alone, great end to a great night. Come back soon, Cheers Bill.

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