|
|
 |
This is the archive of the combined Barking Spider and Andy Broad Portsmouth Blues Site mailing lists.
For the latest information on what's on at The Bullfrog Blues Club click here
Barking Spider Promotions Mailing List |
|
Don't forget you have the chance to see the legenadary Paul Williams fronting BLUE THUNDER at The Bullfrog Blues Club tonight, Thursday 3d April!!!! amnd not only will you be seeing Paul, the band also features the amazing guitarist Ronnie Johnson. a guitar maestro whose lengthy list of credits includes appearances with some of the top performing artists in the world, including Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Sting, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, Marianne Faithful, Brian Kennedy and Jon Hendricks.. He?s also recorded with Van Morrison, Sting, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Peter Green, Georgie Fame and Michael Bolton. Together with drummer Geoff Dunn (Van Morrison & Roger Chapman), plus Peter Stroud (Peter Green) on bass and Nigel Portman Smith (Pentangle) on keyboards, this is one hell of a band! Vocalist Paul Williams phenomenal style was nurtured during the great blues boom of the 60s, recording and touring with John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Alan Price, Alexis Korner's Blues Inc, Colosseum, Gary Moore, and Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. Paul joined the band Juicy Lucy and provided the vocals on their hits singles "Who Do You Love and "Oh Pretty Woman" before achieving huge success as the lead vocalist with prog rock band Colosseum - touring worldwide. The burgeoning British Blues and R & B scene of the 60’s served as the playground for this Englishman’s musical talents. During this period Williams was featured as both a bassist and vocalist. Joining such popular British groups of the day as The Alexis Korner Blues Band, Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. With his own R & B band The Paul Williams Set , Williams was managed by Animal’s founding member and keyboardist Allan Price. Williams joined Aynsley Dunbar’s Blue Whale where he began to experiment with progressive rock music. This influence would serve him well with the innovative bands where he would later become a key member. In the 70’s his career took on a new focus when he moved to center stage as lead vocalist of the ever popular blues-boogie band Juicy Lucy. With some of the finest musicians of the day Juicy Lucy, was one of the most respected outfits to come out of England’s sixties’ blues boom. They recorded several albums with hit singles and toured extensively throughout Europe and America. The much in demand vocalist, even found time to record a stunning tribute album to the legendary blues great Robert Johnson. Perhaps the first of its’ kind, this album, entitled ‘In Memory of Robert Johnson’, has served the test of time and is currently available worldwide, released by Connoisseur Collections. A long time associate, drummer Jon Hiseman, had wanted Williams to join him as lead vocalist for Colosseum. Due to his obligations with Juicy Lucy, Williams declined. When Hiseman disbanded Colosseum a few years later and formed a new band called Tempest, Williams was once again contacted. Williams soon found himself fronting this influential force of innovative musicians, touring Europe and America to promote the release of their new album. In 2000 Williams was re-united with Hiseman when he joined Colosseum for a UK tour. The 80’s saw Paul together again with Tempest guitarist Allan Holdsworth, in forming the original IOU Band. The group developed a loyal cult following behind the release of their independently produced debut album. Williams collaborated with Holdsworth on two more albums and toured extensively in America and Japan. Never an easy man to please when it comes to performing music and with a desire to return to his bluesy roots, singer/songwriter Paul Williams has returned to England after living in the US. He is currently performing in the UK and Europe with his band Blue Thunder. Enlisting the talents of former Juicy Lucy & Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody along with other notable musicians, Williams recorded his current CD entitled Blue Thunder ‘Blues and Beyond’ co-written and co-produced with Grammy award winning producer David Hentschel. Special guest appearances by Rolling Stones legend Mick Taylor (a band member with Williams in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) and Police icon Andy Summers (a band member with Williams in Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band) brings the talented vocalist’s career full circle and makes for an exciting slice of musical history. Most recently, Williams and Moody collaborated on an acoustic style album entitled ‘Smokestacks, Broomdusters and Hoochie Coochie Men’, released by Armadillo Records. It features the music of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Elmore James. Don't miss thss one!! It's going to be a cracker! Tickets just £8, available on the door, & doors open at South Parade Pier at 8 p.m.