Hamilton Loomis. Native of Galveston, Texas. Fine musician and friend of the late Bo Diddley. On Friday, April 24, 2009, he and his band came to play and give their all in the little Pennine village of Laycock. It was yet another of those nights when one needed to pinch oneself every now and again just to make sure it was really happening. Such a tight band playing a stratospheric standard of music in our own back yard, so to speak.
There was something for everyone. The purists got their share while other tracks reached those who prefer a rockier style. There were even songs (such as the funky Best Worst Day) which, it could be argued, were not really blues at all.
Drummer Jamie Little must really like the Bronte Blues Club. It was his second visit of the season, his first being with the excellent Sherman Robertson back in November. He was on great form, as was saxophonist and keyboards man Stratton Doyle. Bassist Kent Beatty completed a line-up that sounded as if it had been together throughout each of its member’s careers.
Hamilton Loomis is a true showman who recognises that fine musicianship is not quite enough for a performance to be memorable. The show included much leaping around, forays into the audience, solos standing on chairs (the village hall tables were not quite up to it) and other antics and asides, none of which compromised the music.
And if that wasn’t enough, there was also a guest appearance by guitarist Alex McKown who is very good and probably becoming increasingly fed up of people being amazed by his age. I’m sure he’s not by ours.
A wonderful evening. Thanks to Hamilton and all concerned.
Here to see more pics.

Tags: bronte blues, music

At the risk of becoming repetitive, it was yet another truly great night at the Bronte Blues Club. The headline act was The Ramon Goose Band, a trio which, although based in Essex, includes Hungarian wizard bassist Akos Hasznos. The line-up, a relatively new version of the band, is completed by Paul Francis on drums. They were fantastic. The accoustic-electric mix gave a set which had great variety and also allowed for a quiet start, gradually building to a wonderfully rhythmic version of In My Father’s House to complete the first set. I would certainly love to see them again and would recommend you do the same.
Support act BBC5, due to enter the recording studio on Sunday, reached new heights. They really are becoming a tight outfit. As singer and recent sextaganarian Michael Ford (I take it back Michael - your singing is much better without the cold) mentioned, the band now spans five decades. They are living proof that the generation gap is a myth, in Laycock at least. Long-time members have been somewhat bemused of late at the audience’s early arrival. Could it be they want to make sure they catch the house band?

Tags: bronte blues, music, ramon goose