Mick Cantwell Holds Court @ Henry’s Swing Club. October 7

(Review by Russell).

First Tuesday, Brandling Villa, the Lounge Lizards, sitters-in welcome. The South Gosforth hostelry did less business than usual. A T-Bone shuffle, Junior Wells, an excitable Crossroads, a sitters-in Clapton-JJ Cale jam, a stripped-down punk cover merchant – The Clash/White Stripes – and a showroom (pub) full of Fender Strats, Gibsons and rhythm section hardware. 

The Main Man bided his time. Mr Mick Cantwell, in the wings, chatted, drank beer, listened some, then stepped up. A soul-blues voice hewn from Tyneside’s industrial heartland, when Cantwell sings, it stays sung. Further On Up the Road (gritty tenor saxophone from the man), Need Your Love So Bad, Everyday I Have the Blues. The regular appearances of Cantwell are invariably in the company of Mr John McCree. Guitarists are ten-a-penny at Henry’s Swing Club, McCree’s participation takes it to another level. Cantwell and McCree – none better, catch them next time.

November’s date with Henry and co. is Tuesday 4th. You can expect fireworks a day early this year.        

Russell.