Ray Stubbs All-Stars @ Central Bar, Gateshead.

Ray Stubbs (vcl/harp); John Hedley (gtr); Max Whitehouse (bs); Brian Ferry (dms); Ray Snowdon (keys).

They've added a dance floor to the upper room at the Central although no one was dancing which was a shame as the one thing Stubbsy's band makes you want to do is dance!

"You can talk", said Ray, "It's not a folk club."

Well you could talk but you wouldn't be heard as the waves of sound rolled out.

This is high volume blues and none the worse for it - subtle don't live here no mo'.

Like the urban poet that he is Ray took us down the highway's from Chicago to LA via every other big city on the way.

Loved Jesus left Chicago - (he's Alabamy bound turning the muddy water into wine - priceless!)

Ray wailed like a banshee on blues harp, howled like a wolf on the vocals. Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley - even Bob Dylan, Eric Burdon and War - all contributed material which led me to wonder why, instead of singing about Chicago and New Orleans, someone doesn't sing about say Byker and Newcastle?

"Born in Byker lived in Walkergate, Yes I was born in Byker and lived in Walkergate, Drank in The Engine, Brown Ale was my mate etc."

Just a thought.

On Strat, John Hedley came at you head-on with adrenaline pumping licks straight from the Southside - phew! Keyboards were with him every mile with bass and drums driving the '53 Cadillac on a roller coaster ride from Gateshead to the Mississippi Delta.

Come back soon - we love you guys.
Link to bilshk site.

Lance.