Jerron Paxton (guitar, banjo, harmonica, bones, vocals)
As Jerron Paxton took to the stage in Cluny 2 for his fourth concert appearance in Newcastle, such is the American's popularity, it wasn't surprising that the 'house full' signs went up. Hailed as being in the vanguard of a new generation of country blues musicians, on the NYC music scene Paxton frequents jazz haunts, not least Mona's Bar on Avenue B in the East Village, the place where clarinettist Dennis Lichtman hosts a long-running weekly jam session*.
Paxton is not only a multi-instrumentalist, the man from Los Angeles is a quick-witted raconteur, often speaking at length about any subject that came to mind: the music, life on the road, musical encounters, food, Jack Daniel's, you name it.
Country blues guitar (very much 'in the tradition'), banjo playing of the highest order (aficionados could comment on clawhammer and other techniques), a smattering of blues harp and a masterful demonstration of the rarely heard/played bones, Paxton didn't have to try too hard, his audience loving every second of his seventy five minutes on stage.
Earlier, Rob Heron (of Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra fame) entertained an audience of friends and fans, few, if any, were hearing Heron for the first time. A graduate of Newcastle University's renowned Folk and Traditional Music degree course, this Cluny gig was in easy walking distance of his Newcastle home. Heron's easy rapport with his audience drew in the listener, his guitar playing deceptively accomplished. Yodeling doesn't often get a mention on BSH. Come to think about it, has the 'art' ever received a mention? Either way, Heron likes to yodel and yodel he did. Yee-Haw!
* In 2021 Paxton and Lichtman released a duo album and, sure enough, vinyl copies were available for sale here on Lime Street. Several copies found a new home. Russell
1 comment :
Yes indeedy! What a great night with these two genius musicians - country blues at its best in a live concert, even a zydeco instrumental on banjo, which was superb! I have to add, Rob Heron has that yodelling down to a tee - he must've been inspired by some of those classic Jimmie Rodgers recordings from the late 1920s.
Post a Comment