Archived Reviews

I think it's true to say that everyone was looking forward to this night. Well, I was.

The night got off to a crowded start with Carol, Jimmy, John, Peter and John - now forever known to this reviewer as "The Waltons" - taking the stage. Two acoustic guitars, a slide guitar, harmonica and Carol on upright double bass, we were treated to three great country songs: 'California Blues', 'Man of Constant Sorrow' and 'On The Other Hand'.

Allan Savage followed with three traditional Scottish songs - 'Hai Cadrew' (I think that was the title. Either that or he was clearing his throat), 'The Jute Mill Song' ( a club favourite) and then he encouraged us all to 'Heel our Ho's' with the lovely 'Mingulay Boat Song'.

If we had started with The Waltons then I can only describe the guests as "The A Team": Jim "Hannibal" Hornsby on guitar and Dobro, Danny "The Face" Holmes on guitar, Sean "Howlin' Mad Murdoch" on bass and Eric "B.A. Baracus" Green on drums. You may know them better as Diesel Therapy. If you don't I'd recommend you get to know them ASAP.

Appropriately enough they started their first set with the instrumental 'Starting Tonight' followed by 'Listen To The Wind' a great song with a 'country swing' tempo. Next up was 'Freight Train' and 'The Talkin Blues' followed by a western swing tune 'Losing My Rag'. After the song 'Don't Wake Me', which had a wonderful Mark Knopfler feel, Jim changed to the square neck Dobro and we were treated to 'Crossing Loch Durgh', a tune with a beautiful traditional feel. The tempo was raised again with the fantastic bluegrass song 'Dixie Hoedown' (YeeHa!) and 'The Ballad Of Billy McGregor'. The first set ended with a magical rendition of Merle Travis' 'I'll See You in My Dreams' (which is where most guitarists like me will only ever be seen playing like that).

After, once again, failing to win the raffle I settled down for the second half. Could it get any better? Are bears Catholic?

The Waltons invaded the stage again and started proceedings with two more country songs - 'The Lucky One' featuring excellent vocals from Carol and followed by 'Oh Mandolin' (without a mandolin in sight!). Then Allan gave us two more traditional Scottish songs: 'Dundee Weaver' and the beautiful Burns ballad 'Ay Waukin' O' (Always Awake). (Impressed I know that Mr S?)

Diesel Therapy opened their second set with the Slade Cleaves song 'My Drinking Days Are Over' which got the audience singing. Then a real treat - Doc Watson's 'Beaumont Rag' with fantastic guitar harmonies. Then one of their own compositions, 'Helping Hand' including - horror of horrors - a mistake! I'm sure Danny Holmes played an F^# instead of a G in one of the guitar licks. It seems that nobody's perfect. The dobro came out again for a beautiful rendition of 'Waters of Tyne' and the fine instrumental 'Cast In Stone'. Then it was back to twin acoustics for the fantastic 'Keeping It Real' and a blistering finale - 'The Huckleberry Hornpipe'. An encore was inevitable and we were treated to a new composition 'Way To Go'.

What is there to say? Some people have talent in spades, these guys are aces. A great choice of songs and tunes, consummate guitar playing featuring, at times, blistering guitar harmonies, an understated rhythm section keeping it all going. These guys are at the top of their game; perfectionists playing to perfection. I think the real Colonel Hannibal Smith would agree; another plan has come together.

'Night Jim'... 'Night Carol'... 'Night John'... 'Night Carol'... 'Night Peter'... 'Night Carol'... 'Night John'... 'Night Carol'...

Terry Fletcher