Errol Linton + Littlefield & Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Nov. 17

Errol Linton (vocals, harmonica); Ritchie Green (guitar); Petar 'Peter' Živković (piano); Lance Rose (double bass); Gary Williams (drums)

Errol Linton said: It's been a while. Harmonica demon Linton first played a Jumpin' & Hot Club gig many moons ago and here he was on a rainy, rainy November day making a welcome return to Newcastle. This Gosforth Civic Theatre  promotion was the latest in Jumpin' Hot Club's 37th anniversary year of celebratory gigs. And, despite the rain, GCT was packed, both cabaret tables and raked seating. 

Rarely, if ever, seen without a hat, Linton strolled on to the stage and hit the ground running with a string of back catalogue and newer numbers. Long-time bandmates, pianist Petar Živković and bassist (double bassist!) Lance Rose were on the gig alongside the all-dancing but-no-singing guitarist Ritchie Green. During a set of some seventy five minutes, Linton visited the blues, some Brixton blues, some Caribbean skanking blues, a ballad or two, all pieced together by an easy engagement with an adoring audience. A Scottish voice bellowed: You're the greatest harmonica player in the world. Linton took the compliment. 

Hooked on Your Love and Packing My Bags featured in the set with Linton occasionally taking the opportunity to plug his latest album, No Entry. This Newcastle date was one of many in an extensive tour, if you get the chance to go to one of the gigs, take it.

Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, vocals) 

Earlier in the evening, two local heroes opened for Linton. Michael Littlefield (guitar and vocals) and Scott Taylor (harmonica and vocals), known to many as one half (the frontmen) of King Bees, their set comprised several numbers from King Bees' pad plus one or two country blues numbers. Washboard Sam. Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Blake and more, the GCT audience lapped it up. Headliners in their own right, Littlefield and Taylor made it a night to remember.