Cedric Burnside (guitar, drums, vocals); Brian Jay (guitar, drums, vocals)
(Review by Russell/PHOTOS courtesy of Ken Drew)
Track two on Cedric Burnside's new album is titled Get Your Groove On. Last night in Cluny 2 a full house got its groove on from the get-go. As the lights went down Burnside strolled out onto stage, picked up an acoustic guitar, sat down and played. Hill Country blues from northern Mississippi; hypnotic, irregular meter, cast iron vocals, as Burnside said: We got some hill country blues for ya. The Jumpin' Hot Club crowd replied: Wye Aye.
From the Mississippi to the Tyne the language was as one - the blues. Burnside sang three, maybe four numbers before introducing drummer Brian Jay. This prompted a change - Burnside stood up, swapped acoustic for electric and launched into a non-stop, foot-stompin' selection of tunes, titles not announced/not necessary. Well over one hour into the set Burnside changed places with Jay. Now we had the frontman behind the traps with Jay out front playing electric (some slide) guitar, the duo sharing the vocals. Burnside was enjoying himself no end, so much so he said they would play on for another half an hour. And they did! If Cedric Burnside is a mighty fine guitarist and vocalist - and he is - his drumming was something else! Hill Country, boogie-chillun, Jimmy Reed to Hound Dog Taylor, it was all in there somewhere. Fully two hours later Burnside and Jay finally left the stage. They'll be back, that's for sure.
Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, vocals)
Earlier two of Tyneside's finest bluesmen opened the show. King Bees' frontmen Michael Littlefield and Scott Taylor sat, as if on the back porch, and played the blues, chatting to the on-side Cluny 2 crowd. Big Bill's Good Jelly, Jimmy Reed's You Got Me Dizzy to T-Bone Walker (Shakey Jake too!), these guys are the business. King Bees will resume gigging in the not too distant future but meanwhile keep an eye out for an exciting Muddy Waters' project (BSH will keep you informed). Sonny Boy (Keep it to Yourself), Magic Sam, yes, Littlefield and Taylor are the coming generation, keeping the blues flame burning.
Jumpin' Hot Club's co-promotion with the Cluny was yet another memorable gig. Graham Anderson and co know their stuff and they're sure to bring more first-rate blues musicians to Tyneside. Here's to the next time.
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