Browsing all articles tagged with matt woosey

Apr
29

Matt Woosey Live @ Great Malvern Hotel/Cafe Rene Gloucester

Great Malvern Hotel

06/04/13

Matt Woosey & band

Its Saturday evening, cool but dry, & Matt Woosey is playing at Malvern, all for the sake a short journey; no earthly reason not to go!

I saw Matt at the Fold last year in solo mode, so knew it was worth getting off my backside, and go and listen to an excellent traditional blues artist at a free venue.

Matt was setting up in the corner of the bar when we arrived, at what is a pleasant unspoilt period Inn, with decent ales and food available, but also a regular live music night.

Matt has just recorded his latest album, ‘On The Waggon’; not too appropriate for the surroundings, but I don’t think he takes it to literally.

The gig opened with ‘Jealous Man’, which features on the album, and written by Matt, a good driving song, hood down, cruising along route 66. ‘Woke Up This morning’, a fast paced blues song complete with slide, the rhythm reminiscent of a boxcar rattling across the plains. Slow the train down somewhat, then you ‘Don’t Need Money’ as you settle back to listen to this easy paced song. The first set finishing with another slow paced song, ‘One Of The Three’,; time for a beer!

Next set starts with a frothy love song, ‘Elsie May’. A ‘Cruel Disposition’ returns to a traditional blues dirge, with some nice breaks, very enjoyable. ‘Black Smoke Rising’, signalled the end of a very satisfying night out, Matt is a first class guitarist, gifted with excellent blues voice and certainly delivers.

Ably supported by his band, Adji Shuib, bassist, and Dave Small, on cajon, Matt is currently touring and promoting his album, not to be missed, seek out and find.

Take 2 Live at Cafe Rene, Gloucester:

Can you get too much of a good thing? Possibly; but what the hell 12 days later and we’re cruising down to Gloucester, and Cafe Rene, a lovely, atmospheric, if somewhat dark hostelry, why? Well, ever prepared to listen to a good bluesman, Matt’s playing, and we were desperately searching for a note for our head, finding ‘Noah’ maturely featured in ‘On The Waggon’. Not on this album, but non the worse for that, ‘ Evil Woman’ as penned by Matt, is excellent, were there shades of Canned Heat in there? Don;t know, but venue apart, we had a line up change with drummer James Williams thumping those skins.

James and Adji feature as Matt’s band in his CD, they have collaborated with Matt over past years.

As for ‘On The Waggon’, This is a 12 track album, and I have to say I like it start to finish, but I particularly like ‘Cruel Disposition’; ‘Jealous man’ and ‘Black Smoke Risin’. All good stuff and well worthy of any blues collection.

Close my eyes and I cannot but help hearing the rhythm of the train steaming down the track, through prairies and rattling through the foothills, slow climbs and fast descents.

See matt Woosey live, hear his guitar and soaring vocals, great lyrics, an unmissable bluesman; then buy his CD and play it on the way home.

Supporting Matt at Gloucester wrtr Damon T and Jake Watson. They would have to go some to warm us up for Mr Woosey, and they kicked off in typical blues style, perhaps a little nervous, but the first few songs seemed a bit restrained. ‘Aint That A Miracle’, lifted things a little, a gentle interpretation of ‘The Number Of The Beast’, iron maiden it wasn’t, but Damon T and Jake seemed to be getting stronger each song. They finished with a Blind Willie Johnson gospel blues song, ‘Soul of a Man’, which was good to hear. I’m sure we will find Damon & Jake at some future gig, I cannot find any clues on the web, but they are worth another listen.

Words And Photos By Graham Munn

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April 29, 2013 // LIve Review // No Comments // Tags: cafe rene, gloucester, Graham Munn, great malvern hotel, live, malvern, matt woosey

May
1

Announcing Blues At The Fold 4

Blues at The Fold 4 – The Line Up

Saturday 7^th July 2012

The Fold, Bransford, Worcester, WR6 5JB

www.bluesatthefold.co.uk
Following the sell out of 2011, Worcester’s Blues at The Fold 4 will be bigger and better than ever. This year we have top names Earl Green & the Right Time, Steve ‘Big Man’ Clayton, Steve Roux and the Brass Knuckle Band, Mumbo-Jumbo, Babajack and Matt Woosey providing the music providing a great spread across the breadth of blues.

And we also have all the fabulous benefits of the The Fold as a location. The delightful courtyard setting, the wonderful local beers, ciders and perry’s – all from local artisan producers and the delicious organic food from chef David McCaw. This year we also have Worcestershire’s Poet laureate Theo Theobold as our festival compere and a special Poet’s Corner for poets from Worcestershire Literary Festival.

By combining great music with tasty food and drink we sold out last year with all 450 tickets snapped up, mostly in advance. This year tickets available on Paypal through www.bluesatthfold.co.uk, or order by email on oliver@ocsingstheblues.co.uk, through the Ticket Hotline on 01886-812898 (no credit card facility just old fashioned cheques I’m afraid) or direct from The Fold EcoCafe. Tickets are £12 (£14 after 1.7.12) Under 12′s tickets are £3 and Under 5′s are free. Camping/caravan tickets also available at £6 per adult.

More information on each of our bands;

Earl Green & The Right Time 9.45 pm

This has been an incredible year for Earl Green and The Right Time! In September 2011 they released their much anticipated CD “Live at Bronte Blues Club”, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the band’s shows. The response has been fantastic: November’s Blues in Britain gave the album a 10/10 review! The album has enjoyed extensive airplay, including Paul Jones’s BBC Radio 2 show. January’s Blues Matters said “Smooth, soulful and at no stage indulgent ‘Live At The Bronte Blues Club’ is highly recommended and certainly helps to fill that fix until their next live performance comes around”. Gigs and festivals are coming in thick and fast, but the band is particularly excited to be playing Blues at the Fold for the first time!

www.therighttime.co.uk

The Steve ‘Big Man’ Clayton Band 8.00 pm

Steve „Big Man“ Clayton, born in Birmingham (GB), is a highly gifted piano player and singer.

After finishing his classical studies, he decided to dedicate his musical life to his love of blues piano, and has remained true to himself and blues piano for over 30 years.

His own compositions demonstrate his love for this music; a mixture of blues, boogie woogie, gospel and rock and roll, are all available to hear on 6 CD´s.

He presents himself on the stage totally relaxed and with great humour, although from the very first note, the audience realise that Steve „Big Man“ Clayton is a very serious artist, an artist of the highest calibre, an artist that is very much keeping the art of blues piano alive and kicking !

www.steve-bigman-clayton.com

Steve Roux & the Brass Knuckle Band 6.30 pm

Steve Roux on guitar and vocals heads up this Kickin’ & Swingin’ blues band with horns. “The Brass Knuckle Blues Band changed the mood with a polished and accomplished set. Albert King’s ‘You’re Gonna Need Me’ worked well with the rousing horn section.”
(Blues Matters – Blues on the Farm)

“Most were lifers in the twelve-bar prison but Steve Roux broke out with some much needed delicacy on ‘Can’t Change The Time’.” (Daily Telegraph)

www.bkblues.com

Mumbo-Jumbo and Friends 4.50 pm

“The musicianship is unsurpassable, and the songwriting is excellent.” Blues in Britain magazine 2012.

Mumbo-Jumbo are regulars at Blues at The Fold, bringing their own brand of close-harmony piano-led versatility, and sounding like no-one else on the circuit. The new album Life of Riley is getting cracking reviews from the blues press. This year they are joined by top session drummer Tony Baylis to add a little extra oomph to their performance.

www.mumbo-jumbo.biz

Babajack 3.20pm

‘BabaJack is an outstanding blues, folk [and more] fusion band. When they are on stage, everyone sits up and takes notice!’ (BluesMatters Magazine)

Their sound is powerful, original and contemporary combining traditional blues slide, harmonica, winebox guitar and vocals with the African drums, stomp and bass and all with great musicianship. They are the upcoming blues/folk act on the scene in the UK and Europe– the one you can’t afford to miss.

www.babajack.com

Matt Woosey 2.00pm

Matt Woosey combines an explosive slap-and-pick right hand guitar technique and a big-range blues shout – he’s the sort of charismatic performer that stops chat in the noisiest bar. Yet his songwriting is sensitive and soulful. Matt is steadily building a strong national following for very good reason. www.mattwoosey.co.uk

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May 1, 2012 // Blog // 1 Comment // Tags: babajack, blues at the fold, Earl Green & The Right Time, line up, matt woosey, mumbo jumbo, Steve Roux & the Brass Knuckle Band, The Steve ‘Big Man’ Clayton Band