-----Original Message-----
From: Bottleneck Blues [mailto:john_at_bottleneckblues_dot_com]
Sent: 13 November 2006 09:34
Subject: Tues 28th Nov ~ The Roffen
Importance: High

Well that's another fine gig under our belts.........Fri 10th _at_ Maidstone opened with Migden & Gibson & frankly it don't get much better than that....superb performances from both Dave & Joe....what a duo!......fine guitaring from Joe & amazing vocals from Dave. I know those that bought their CD will have played it more than once this last weekend. Big Joe Louis was pretty shaken up by his accident but that didn't prevent him & the boys putting on a wonderful show. They made it to Belgium on Saturday morning, West Weston had to drive back to Essex to collect a bigger car & then re-join the band at the M20 services before catching the train through the tunnel. It's not always evident just what goes into putting on a gig.....a hell of a lot of work & effort for sure.

You may have caught this act last year at our Christmas bash....this is a truly superb band....West Weston fronts some of the finest musicians on the London scene & the line-up includes his fabulous brass section. How I'm going to fit them onto the stage is another matter but I'll think of something.....Louis Jordan, Fats Waller, Little Walter, Big Joe Turner, Muddy Waters & many more heroes from the 40s & 50s will be featured in a really up-beat show.

I've got the famous Roffen Christmas Tree to contend with at this gig. I always try to get them to put it up the Wed. after our gig but unfortunately they can rarely do that due to their own functions & so I loose at least three tables every November in Rochester. I'll have as many seats as I can muster set out but this gig always presents me with space problems. It won't stop us all having a great time though!

Don't forget the Crawley Blues Club's Blues Festival this coming Sat. 18th Nov. _at_ The Hawth, Crawley. It kicks off at 1:00pm & features a whole bunch of USA & UK artists many of whom you'll be familiar with, some you may not but they're all excellent performers.........more info on www.crawleyblues.co.uk

And lastly....a big Thank You to the many who kindly rose to the challenge & emailed Maidstone Borough Council about the proposed development behind MU MU (Zaffa). There were far too many for me to reply individually so I hope this "group Thanks" will suffice. I'll keep you posted on this matter as & when I get any info.