Gig-hopping hat-trick
'No Blues Left to Give' by Josh Smith... an American blues rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer acclaimed for blending blues, rock, and jazz with virtuosic technique and dynamic live performances. A former child prodigy, he began recording in his teens with The Rhino Cats and later formed Josh Smith and the Frost. Based in Los Angeles, he owns Flat V Studios, producing Grammy-nominated and Blues Music Award-winning projects for artists like Eric Gales and Joanne Shaw Taylor. Recognized by Guitar World as one of the top 20 blues guitarists globally, his acclaimed albums include Burn to Grow and Bird of Passage. To the best of my knowledge he is relatively unknown in the UK and was brought to my attention when playing guitar in Joe Bonamassa's band were Joe refers to him as "the best guitarist on this stage". Praise indeed. PLEASE CLICK PLAY AND LISTEN WHILE READING!
I think I've invented a new term - gig-hopping. I no longer tour the world but instead tour England - 3 shows all in one weekend. Lynne and I decided to divide our weekend across Stone Dead Festival (Newark), Rockwich Festival (Northwich) and the Josh Smith gig at the Blue Funk Rhythm and Blues Club, Poynton (Cheshire). Each different in their own sweet way.
We went really soft a few years ago when we stopped camping at outdoor festivals. It can be fun in the rain and Stone Dead has repeatedly had the well-deserved benefit (almost always) of sunshine but not this time. We travelled down from Manchester on Friday, & caught the shows by Anti-Nowhere League who were certainly entertaining and reminded me that I can like punk, even though I'll never love it. Next was Kickin Valentina - not really my cup of tea, sorry, so I want in search of a cup of coffee and stayed alcohol free all weekend. Then headlining Friday it was Kings of Thrash spearheaded by Dave Ellefson and Jeff Young. I like thrash, especially Megadeth (Dave Ellefson of course used to play bass with them). The sound out front spoiled the set to be honest - basically I don't enjoy guitars and vocals drowned out by bass and drums. Coincidentally, that's a familiar affliction on two of the three occasions I've seen Megadeth live, once very noticeably at Nottingham Rock City, several years back. Normally, I find the sound at Stone Dead really good, which is not often easy to achieve outdoor but something was lost in the sound for Kings of Thrash (I'm guessing the band brought their own sound man.)
So, we managed to stay dry, it was brilliant to catch up with loads of friends in the field and we retired to our B and B about 15 minutes from the festival grounds.
After a nice brekkers on Saturday morning (scrambled eggs on gluten-free toast - I have an intolerance to gluten which was always a pain in the wotsits on tour, but don't believe that has anything to do with Parkinson's), we returned to Stone Dead and were entertained in the rain by Aethoria, Asomvel, Crobot and the Damn Truth. Favourites amongst these was definitely Asomvel, and I was reminded of booking them years ago to play Grand Central (GC), Manchester - we used to run Thursday nights there and it was good to see the band's wall of Marshall amps nowadays given a bit more room than we could give them at GC. I also enjoyed the Damn Truth, from Canada and have apparently once shared a stage with Alex Lifeson of Rush - my heroes / top band ever! Great classic rock from the Damn Truth.
After that, although sad to miss the rest of the line-up at Stone Dead, we made our merry way up to Northwich and the charming Rockwich, again lovely to catch up with so many friends, and an acoustic show headlined by son Luke - plenty of original songs, some Absolva re-works, and a smattering of covers to finish off (Maiden, Ozzy, Dio, Tenacious D, Linkin Park.) Son Luke made a brilliant job of his headline setlist, preceded by the talented Ashley Sherlock and Mike Hoskins.
By this time the weekend's wear and tear was taking its toll on my feet and legs. Normally I wear Skechers which I find very supportive of my feet and legs...
( see 'Big Footed Whiskey Drinker' https://www.musicforparkinsons.co.uk/bigfooted-whiskey-drinker/ )
... but for some reason I had decided for festivals I needed to revert to my hiking boots - big mistake as the Restless Leg Syndrome kicked in with a vengeance and that horrible 'hollow' pain to legs and arms. However, happy to report that this was the limit of health issues during the weekend so gratefully I accept that.
Back home to Whitefield, only about 40 mins drive, and after some rest on Sunday daytime, we headed to the delightful Cheshire town of Poynton and the BlueFunk Rhythm and Blues club which is little more than a small church hall to be honest but a thoroughly excellent vibe. If you enjoy rhythm and blues, and at all minded to visit small independent clubs, try this one sometime. Josh Smith plus bass and drums, was brilliant, very cool, long guitar solos and crash chord endings. Happy to take photos. Jazz influenced blues. Cool as a cucumber!
And so our gig-hopping hat-trick of shows was complete. 1st September now, summer over? Flash floods? Whatever next! Thank you for reading.
Don't forget the competition - see https://www.musicforparkinsons.co.uk/feelgood-air-drumming-free-cd/ to win a free CD of the new Absolva live album
Please take care out there everybody.
Mark x