Bloozeburn @ the Ouseburn @ The Tyne Bar. June 4

(Review by Russell).

Walkin’ the Dog down by the Ouseburn, the Tyne Bar’s Bloozeburn session got off to a slow start. Marshall stacks in place, we were waiting on a drum kit. The usual range of Wylam Brewery beers lined the bar, Wylam Bitter as good as any. Sudden activity – the drum kit had arrived.

The tight house band – guitar, bass and drums – ripped into a wailing voodoo man set of Chicago blues (amps turned up way in excess of 10). Altoist Andy Lee blew hard trying to make himself heard. Blues boys listened. Foxy ladies played it cool. A couple (student types) swigged something insipid from 330m bottles, iTexting frantically in an iWorld of their own. After thirty minutes or so the band left the stage, inviting Steve Dixon (battle-worn Strat in hand) and friends to take it on. A big man, the bearded Dixon turned it up – he likes to play it loud, Voodoo Chile loud. What a player!

Dixon’s power trio (excellent bass and drums) gave way to a blues duo – vocals and guitar – of some class. Spot-on wrenched vocals and spot-on guitar playing from Fishfinger Frank. More bluesmen arrived, plugged in and played. Canned Heat, Beefheart and an original – Bad Trip Tent – and it was about time to turn the lights down low. The finale featured the Bloozeburn residents and Steve Dixon. The national grid managed the power surge, but only just!   
Russell.