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   “One Note”

The Borough Blues Club Newsletter for November 2007

Gig Review – ‘Ben Fletcher Blues Band, 10th November 2007 by Lee Price.

What happened to the Mojo Hand?  Well, apparently there was another musical outfit out there with a similar title.  Drum kit locked away and unavailable, getting lost in Cwmbran, this all before turning up at the club – was their mojo lost? …………….. I can confirm “Definitely Not!!”

Energy, passion and skill across diverse numbers was the order of the night.  The evening opened with “Little by Little”, a powerfully and rhythmic starter for 10.  Their first set covered numbers by BB King, ‘Bob’ Johnson, SRV and ZZTop.  Mustn’t forget to mention the stunning electric slide display on some of these numbers – it was truly awesome.  For me, ‘Bobs’ “Mean Red Spider” was the highlight of this set. The second kicked off with “On the Road Again” and the standard continued to be up there all evening.  SRV tunes, (Pride & Joy..), a bit more BB and a couple of Hendrix tracks.  Every time a band plays some Jimi numbers they always seem to go down well with the BBC members.  And finally, a song that I think was played for the first time at the club “Sweet Home Alabama” WHAT A TREAT!

The band – Ben Fletcher (Guitar & Vocals) a very talented individual who had it all really, great voice, super guitarist and he commanded the stage.  The only word of negativity would be the occasional overindulgence to show his wares which wasn’t necessary – you could see from the opening number, this guy had talent.

Steve (Bass) – One of the best I’ve seen at the club, if not a bit psychotic looking at times! 
A true bass player, confident and relaxed but most importantly enjoying the groove, he also performed one of the best ‘bass solo’ seen at the BBC, very ingenious.

Miggsy on drums was good (considering he only had snare, bass drum, hi-hat and a cymbal) but unfortunately looked a little uncomfortable with an unfamiliar kit and band, I believe he has only been playing with Ben & Steve for a couple of weeks.  I would love to see them back at the club at a time when Miggsy can contribute to the collective as much as the others – this would create one of the best bands to be seen at the BBC. 

All in all, a thoroughly engaging evening, thanks BBC.  (I also noted one of the ladies stating that it was a nice change to have some ‘eye candy’ playing at the club………. And someone who was under 60!!)

(Oh the cheek of it!! Ed)
Looking forward to Blues State UK – bring it on!!

FORTHCOMING GIG PROGRAMME

Dec 15th   Blues State UK

Gigs for 2008

Jan     5th    Memphis in the Meantime
Feb    2nd    The Fugitives
Mar    1st     Built for Comfort
Apr    5th     Mango Crow

May   3rd   A Special Treat Presenting an international act The Mick Pini Band

It is our intention to try and book at least Three ‘Top bands’ each year, and we decided that Mick Pini would do just fine for starters.

We want to book the bands that you would like to see so:-

LET US KNOW WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR AND SEE AT THE CLUB!!

COMMITTEE MEMBERS & CONTACTS

Please feel free to contact your committee with ideas for the club and its development.  Bands suggestions would be most welcome.
Adrian Bold - Chairman
(07803 853506)
Dave Lewis – Vice Chairman
(07899 936217)
Adrian Powell  – Secretary
(07814 032008)
Tony Smith –  Treasurer
(07971 701979)
Keith Barwood - Liaison Officer
(07902 292397)
David Leek - Membership Secretary
(07969 838319)

MEMBERSHIPS

 For anyone wishing to join our club, or to renew their membership, Dave Leek is the man to talk or write to. To aid anyone to renew or join, a form is attached at the end of this newsletter for your convenience.
Memberships benefits include reduced ticket prices on club Gig Nights, a regular newsletter, trips, (which we’re hoping to increase this year) and access to the club’s Blues Workshops – of which we have some great new ideas to work with for this year.

CLUB NEWS

Following the resignation of our chairman Lee Price, we have been able to secure the most capable talents of Mr. Adrian Bold.
Despite being a relatively ‘new’ committee member, (he was elected at the last AGM) Adrian has brought with him a depth of knowledge in management, and a host of new ideas to improve our club, but he feels that the best people to talk to in an effort to improve the club is you, our fellow members.
With this in mind we will be discussing methods of how best to find what you want from the club. – We’ll keep you posted!

A FEW NOTES FROM THE BBC WORKSHOP

‘Workshop-Gig-Night’

The ‘Workshop’ members have decided to ‘put on’ a ‘Live Performance’ as means of: -

1) Advancing their live-playing experience.

2) As a means of supporting the unfortunate victims of the floods at Upton-upon-Severn last July, with all ticket monies raised going to the “Mayors Appeal Fund”.

The workshop musicians have all agreed that this is worth the effort on their part, and now it only needs a audience, so please make an effort to attend this concert and support our workshop band (you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the level of competence), and at the same time help contribute to a worthy cause. - A village that has hosted a wonderful Free Blues weekend for the last six or seven years: –

Ticket are available from Keith Barwood at the Rugby Club, or pay on the door on the night.

We are always looking for vocalists, Key-board players, and drummers, in fact, anyone with an interest to complement the happy gang we have already.  If you fancy a go, or know someone who does, just let us, and them, know and we’ll make them welcome.

The only rule is that you have to be a member of the Borough Blues Club to attend, and the cost will be £2.00 per session. We meet at New Panteg RFC every fortnight on a Monday, and we run from 7.00pm to 9.15pm. New players/singers are always welcome, so check website for dates, and-come-on-down.   .                                     

Dates of forthcoming workshops:                (All these dates have been booked at the club)

November     19th    26th     
December       3rd      17th     

We are in the process of confirming the dates for 2008
               

NEXT GIG AT THE BBC!!!!

With : - Blues State UK

TICKETS FOR GIGS

 As the present ticketing arrangements seem to be working with a most tickets being purchased on a gig night for the next forthcoming event, we intend to keep this sales system for the foreseeable future. And coupled with the support we have from you members; this will benefit the regular supporters with the opportunity for purchasing tickets to ensure access for the next gig.  Of course, tickets will be available from the committee members – see below. 

Tickets will, as usual, be on a first come first served basis.
Tickets may be available on the door on the night, but please remember;

When the house is Full……the house is Full!!!!!

Ticket prices: - £4.00 members, £5.00 non-members.
All pre-paid tickets not received, will be issued at the door on the gig night.
(Subject, of course, to the usual name and address confirmation)

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