Blues in Britain  (Issue 48 /  December 2005)

Joshua Blue

Marsden Jazz Festival / West Yorks. 7-9/10/05

Blues fans, seeking a last celebratory fling before those long winter nights draw in, should check out this most friendly of festivals in its beautiful moorland setting. The fringe events almost always feature artists of interest to Blues in Britain readers and this 14th annual get-together proved no exception.

............... Then it was back again to The Railway, where a good crowd was beginning to assemble. I was expecting great things from Joshua Blue, and they didn't disappoint. The opening instrumental brought those knowing nods and smiles from the punters that say "we're onto a winner here". And how right they were. Ripping it up from the word go, Chris Leyton Bennett (drums), and Constantino Tancredi (bass), formed an inexhaustible engine room allowing Paul Garner and Cliff Campbell to launch a twin fender attack that's out of the top drawer. Cliff, who possesses a deep soulful voice capable of the necessary fire when required, looked cool in hat and shades. Every inch "The Hoochie Coochie Man" he professed to be in his opening vocal number, "Stormy Monday" soon brought him down to earth. And after his emotive renditions of "Five Long Years" and "Born Under A Bad Sign", I was starting to feel pretty sorry for the chap, needlessly, for this band was having a ball. Mark and Constantino, urging each other on, could not keep the grins from their faces. Whilst the duelling guitars of Paul and Cliff performed more high-class licks than two pedigree cats let loose in a dairy. Halfway through the second half, Cliff dedicated "Ain't Nobody's Business" to Mark's Mum, Liz. Then presented her with a bottle of champagne and a wrapped mystery present, as a thank you for putting up the band over the previous week. Towards the end they slipped in a few originals, including the closer, a white-hot funky workout with marathon solos by all. Cliff showboated, eye to eye with us on the front row, whilst simultaneously stuffing his face with a cold Yorkshire pudding! Thankfully the previous number had seen his last vocal offering. This was their fourth gig in the area in as many days. Judging by this Marsden reception, I can't be alone in hoping they stay that bit longer next time around.

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Martin Byrom - Blues in Britain (Issue 48 / December 2005)