From: Richard Dobney [bookings_at_bottleneckblues_dot_com]
Sent: 01 May 2018 16:40
Subject: Upcoming Show Tuesday 29th May
Dear All
Many thanks to all who came to the final show at the Roffen
back in March. Here is a review:
"The last gig at the Roffen, after twenty years was
sold out, as expected, and the main reason for this was the return of Geoff
Achison and the UK Soul Diggers. Geoff has played here many times
over the years, first as a solo act and in later times with his
British band. With these musicians how could it fail? - the
great Sam Kelly on Drums, Paul Jobson on Keyboards/backing vocals and Andy
Hodge on Bass/backing vocals. Four guys in tune all as one and knowing
completely where they are going on this musical ride. This was a night
for memories going back and having a good time. Geoff is a virtuoso
guitar player whose style of playing is unique and guitar players from afar
come to see this man, trying to work out how he does it! All this
without a mass of gadgets on the floor - pure skill and talent and how lucky
for the punters that they can watch from close quarters. Geoff started off
with a couple of quiet solo numbers before bringing on the band to get us in
the mood for a fun night - and fun it certainly was! Digging into his old
catalogue from his very first British album, the great ?Voodoo', and then
moving on from there. It is very hard to pick out the best as the band
were playing and enjoying themselves so much it felt like a private party (much
as it actually was). Here are a few stand out numbers: 'Another Minute
Another Mile, 'One Ticket One Mile', 'Crazy Horse' ?Jungle' (which is
where the band go everywhere and let their skills take on a new
dimension - almost modern jazz!), then the great
number ?Souldigger'. This band could have played all night (and
nearly did). Well done to Geoff and his band for bringing to a close
the end of an era and what a way to do it! The Bottleneck will carry on
at a new venue and if it goes another twenty years I will be Ninety Three (hope
I am still around). What a time we have all had, proper live music played
by great musicians - FANTASTIC!
Alan Kyle"
For this month, on 29th May, we have a change of
venue and the perfect act to start the new era, while retaining continuity and
the quality presentations that the Bottleneck is famous for. We
have West Weston's Bluesonics and how fitting that an artist
that has entertained the club over so many years, indeed being among the most
popular at the club, should take us forward. Led by a world-class
harmonica player, a great singer and all round entertainer of tremendous
experience, Steve (West) Weston plus the cream of British
musicians in the form of guitarist Paul Garner (a great artist
in his own right), Orlando Shearer on bass and Mike
Thorne on drums.
The new venue is the St. George Hotel. If
you drive past with the Roffen on your left, the venue is a couple of hundred
yards up New Road, on the left. There is on-site parking both on the
roof, accessed from the front and in the basement at the rear, although you can
find plenty of on-street parking within a short walk. Parking in one of
the car parks requires registration in the venue, available on panels both in
the lobby and in the performance room itself. The website address
is:
Please look out for my mailing later in the month whereby a
particular entrance may be specified in order to properly
process the incoming audience.
Tickets £12.00, pay on the door. Bookings to me at the
return email address. Doors open 7.30pm, band on stage 8.45pm. Food
available at the venue, if required. Further information, upcoming shows,
location map etc., available at www.bottleneckblues.com.
So, that's West Weston's Bluesonics appearing Tuesday
29th May.
Please do support.
Richard Dobney
Bottleneck Blues Club
U