Dom Martin - The Stables Wavendon

Back at The Stables MK but with a difference. What may that be I hear you ask? We I shall tell you, for the first time ever we are going in to Stage 2. The smaller option away from the main 'Marshall Auditorium'. That is being occupied by the mighty Syd Lawrence Orchestra tonight, all thirty of them. They seem to have a very large following too. By the time they have all filed in to find their seats there aren't too many of us left...

We take our place in 'Stage 2' , that doesn't sound right somehow. The very small stage is set ready to go . It's a narrow room with some a few tables and chairs set out close to the stage These all have reserved signs on them.So we wont be getting too close t o the stage tonight. I had a word with Dom's management and merch team. I told then that I would love to hear 'A million Miles Away, 'Shadow Play' and ' Bad Penny' Rory Gallagher covers in the set. They explained that Dom prefers the earlier stuff. I also told them that the T shirts were extremely good value (cheap) at just £20.

I was very much looking forward to seeing the support act 'Delta Fuse'. Sadly some issues have arisen that have prevented them playing tonight. At very short notice 'Musician and Songwriter' 'Alex Lleo' has filled in. He went down pretty well to an appreciative gathering. Soulful would probably best describe his style. The highlight of the short set probably being the Del Amitri cover ' Always the last to Know'. 'Anybody recognise that he asks'?  'That's a shame I was going to claim it as my own'. It has noticeably got much busier as people are turning up to see Dom at 9 PM.  

A casual entrance to the stage, slightly disheveled, shirt undone this is Dom Martin. He starts with a couple of acoustic numbers from the new album 'Buried in the Hail'. Drummer Aaron McLaughlin and Bassist Ben Graham take to the stage.There is clear affinity and affection between the three of them. More than just band members Do tells us. One of the highlights of the evening would have to be the 'Rory' classic 'Messin with the Kid'. Although it was originally recorded by Junior Wells in 1960. A natural storyteller as well as a brilliant musician, some of his tales you get the feeling he wish he hadn't started telling. Those he does finish should be taken with a small pinch of salt perhaps? As you would expect the lions share of the songs tonight are from the new album. You get a real sense of pride in what he has achieved with his latest output.

We get a rendition of 'Crazy' the Willie Nelson song, that Patsy Cline had a huge hit with in 1961. Dom tells us that he does like to include an obscure cover track on his albums. He sought permission from Mr Nelson and paid him in weed??? Maybe?

There is no pretense of an encore, although he would love to leave the stage and come back on one day. It seems a premature end until he tells us that the next song has seventeen verses! We maybe not quite , but we are treated to a Blues medley that lasts for well over 20 minutes. One thing that isn't vague or uncertain is his playing. Some slight of hand for sure, how he does it remains a mystery. A master of his craft but don't call him Rory.