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The
Revelators and The Alan Jones Blues Review have grown
out of the Blues Roots Nights at Ingram’s: The Revelators,
featuring “Slim” Billy G. Wride (slide guitar, vocals), Steve
Grey (harmonica), and Alan Jones (bass) and The Alan Jones Blues
Review with Alan Jones (bass and vocals), plus Dave (rhythm
guitar), Bobbie Carvell (lead guitar) and Christian (drums).
Last Friday they treated us to an evening of Mississippi Delta
and Chicago Blues that crossed the generations and had wide
appeal.
The evening
began with a rainbow, though the musicians probably missed it
while they were setting up and the rest of us were dragging
ourselves away from Glastonbury on the telly. We were all
rewarded with the energy, scholarship and the love these fine
musicians put into their music, keeping the Blues alive for
traditionalists and new enthusiasts alike. They rocked till
closing, with audience participation. That dancing lady may not
have been part of the band, but she certainly added to the
entertainment!
The
Revelators start the nights proceedings with Billy G Wride's
rasping Charly Pattonesque vocals on Rollin' and Tumblin, then
straight into Howlin' Wolf ' Red Rooster, Billy G is now howling
like a lonesome hound and Steve Grey is blowing is heart out
with some fantastic fills to the howling.
Billy G's dobro
playing is masterfull and very refined, but when he's in top
gear it is quite electric !!!
The Revelators
then submitted us to some excellent Mississippi blues with
numbers inc, Son House's 'Death Letter; Muddy's ' I Cant' Be
Satisfied, Leadbelly's ' The Midnight Special and Where Did You
Sleep Last Night, then a barrage of Robert Johnson songs,
Travellin Riverside Blues, Steady Rollin Man, Milk Calf Cow
Blues, the finale was a rousing rendition of Leadbelly's in Led
Zep style ' The Gallows Pole' Alan Jones put his bass down for
this one and pulls out a tambourine, Billy G starts with a laid
back first verse and then with a nod of his head the harp and
tambourine comes screaming in for a full out thrash - brilliant
!!!!!!!!!
The Alan
Jones Blues Review come to the stage at about 10.20pm, and
blast straight into 'Baby Please Don't Go' Alan Jones (bass and
vocals) has amazing rock vocal's honed from many bands he played
with in the 70's which inc The Nick Turner All Stars.
The rest of the
night go's quickly with numbers such as, Roadhouse Blues,
Rock'n'Roll, Crossroads, and many others once again Bobby
Carvell on lead guitar duties was outstanding a real talent for
the future.
Our host, Ed
???, pulled pints manfully, efficiently and with a smile despite
the pressure of a pub-full of thirsty punters. His welcome is
much appreciated by the music lovers who filled Ingram’s on this
hot midsummer night, as well as other nights of every week.
Ingram’s is
where music is happening in the Uplands. Take your pick:
Monday Blues Roots Jam, Thursday Acoustic Folk Roots Jam (a more
chilled-out version of Mondays), or various bands at the
weekends. Or come to everything. Make friends, enjoy the
hospitality, participate, or just sit back and enjoy, all for
free (though Ed would be grateful if you buy a drink).
The final word
on the evening was from my daughter, visiting for the weekend
from London and a discerning music lover herself. Her comment?
“It was much better than I expected,” which, from Zoë, is praise
indeed.
Do come and see
some of the best live Blues in Swansea whenever you can.
Review by Ann Cooke |
