Clutha Vaults

Lot's of on the spot reports about the Helicopter crashing into the Clutha last night. 

Anyone outside of Glasgow wouldn't know what a great place a proper Glasgow pub can be. 

Favourite visit for me would be a Saturday afternoon music session. Meet lots of great people and hear some great music. These are just a few pics I have taken in the Clutha.

I hope everyone who was hurt gets better and in time I hope the Clutha will re open. 

Steve Roux & The Brass Knuckle Blues Band

Live @ Boarhunt Blues Club   CD

I was a bit keen to get hold of this, Steve is a great guitar player and singer and his band has a reputation for solid working blues. He doesn't tour in Scotland so it's a bunch of years since I saw them live. Now augmented by a dynamo Brass section, what more was I going to ask ?

I think the Pointer Sister would like these guys, they don't come and go in a heated rush, slow burning and no compromise on soulful sensation.

Set list is a bunch of not very common covers and a stack of Steve Roux originals , some from his Repetoire solo album. All blend seamlessly into the mix and you are given plenty to savour. "It all went down the drain" features a blues trumpet solo that sends tingles along your arm and gives it a unique take. Steve's guitar bides its time always until it is required to add bites or the bends. He has the gift of control and grace a plenty.

"Don't change the time" Has one of those Strat solos that seem to rise up from nothing, along the lines of Ronnie Earl I would say...

In a band where everyone might fight to be the star attraction I am pleased to say everyone plays to the strength of the song and thus led, create such a powerhouse set. It is packed with performance and style. 

I think a few of my blues loving chums might get this from Santa. 

I wish I was seeing them this weekend - if you aren't then you should be. 

Approved by El Moano. 

Bum note...

The album is packaged as a souvenir cd - I am afraid the cover does not suit the quality and care of the music - I did my own take on a cover. 

Alvin Lee - Mighty guitarist and my first guitar hero

Just heard last night that Alvin Lee passed away.

Hit me hard I can tell you.   His music being a very major part of the soundtrack to my life.

Back in schooldays a few of us got into Ten Years After and would marvel at the Woodstock version of 'Going Home' for all it's energy speed and rockwonderfullness. Even though this was a few years after Woodstick - but you could listen to back catalogues then !

I broke out and bought TYA's next album 'Rock & Roll Music To The World' and it remains one of my top albums. What a great fucking sound ! = The first thing I had bought that was proper rock not a pop LP.

Get ye to Spotify and listen to it as loud as you can. Fantastic band who nailed every corner. Much as I like all other TYA lps nothing else comes as close - well maybe the live double 'Recorded live' from the next years tour.
Extended wig outs, guitar trickery with low tunings, furious leads and great dynamics - I had still to see my first live band at this time (country boy you see) so this was a world I just wanted to be right in the middle of.

I have played a few of his songs in bands - even named one band 'Detroit Diesels' after his song.
Used to love blasting out 'Writing you a letter', Standing at the station' or Detroit Diesel' - never did get the intro to 'Going home' (not really too surprising) - and I nicked the drumstick idea from Alvin too !

Saw him live just once. But I was front seat and centre. Just amazing. I sang all the solos ! Blissed out with it all !

So another notch on the pole of things in the past.

Thanks Mr Lee.