Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, guitar, vocals); Dominic Hornsby (piano, guitar, vocals); Simon Hedley (double bass); Giles Holt (drums) + John ? (harmonica, vocals)
(Review by Russell)
First Friday in the month (first Friday of 2019!) and you're in Newcastle's self-proclaimed no.1 dive bar. But wait...a new pre/post gig city centre watering hole finally opened its doors this evening. Beeronomy on Hood Street is the award-winning Mordue Brewery's first pub. A mix of the industrial and the chandelier, the most striking thing was the absence on the bar of Radgie Gadgie and Workie Ticket. It soon dawned that the place wasn't attempting to be a 'proper' pub. Handpulls, yes, 'craft' beers (keg), a food menu and lots of employees asking: Is everything alright? Would you like to order now?...three times in twenty minutes. Billy Bootleggers never looked more inviting.
Michael Littlefield thanked the patrons of Newcastle's no.1 dive bar for coming out on this first weekend of the new year. Chicago it ain't but Billy Bootleggers will do, and the resident five-piece King Bees make this the place to be first Friday in the month*
Keep it to Yourself implored Scott Taylor. Co-conspirator Littlefield insisted he was going Cuckoo. Taylor again, this time telling his broad: Straighten Up, Baby. Authentic Chicago blues? Faithful? As near as, but more importantly, King Bees play it 'with a feelin'. What's more, they play with a beer in hand...Hey! Mr Bartender, gimme another bourbon!
Little Walter's Temperature upped the ante with Taylor sweatin' - 103, 4 and 5, harp wailin', this is why Newcastle's no.1 dive bar is packed when these boys are in town. Littlefield's vibrato cut through on Walking by Myself (more killing harp from Taylor), then a rarity, the band invited John, vocals and harmonica, to join them on Sweet Home, Chicago. Hey, Mr Bartender, more moonshine!
Sit Down, Baby said Taylor (the second set was underway!). My Babe - lots of babes, broads and dames in tonight. Hard Hearted Woman lamented Taylor...evil on your mind. Littlefield belted out Hydramatic Woman, Dominic Hornsby played some boogie-woogie piano and band and audience hollered Caldonia! It was late, King Bees were thinking of wrapping it up. Encore time, not just the one number, but several, including more from McKinley Morganfield - Hoochie Coochie Man and Mojo - as Taylor thought out loud: I'll play all night!
Russell.
* This January gig brought to an end King Bees' hugely successful residency. The band will announce future plans in the coming weeks.
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