Larry Miller - Fibbers York

A quick turn around to see the unique Larry Miller and the unique showmanship he brings to each performance. Not quite sure we ended going to the York venue when he is is in Bilston in a few weeks? It was a long journey but one that was well worth making as the venue was excellent. First band were the very impressive 'The Mentulls'. A trio of young musicians that can play a bit, hailing from Guisborough North Yorkshire’s The Mentulls are – Andrew Pipe on guitar and vocals, his brother Jamie on Keyboard’s and Nick Colman on drums. They are definitely not purely a blues band, there are prog and classic rock elements to this mix that make the band pretty unusual as well as unusually good. Speaking to Andrew afterwards he was telling me that his biggest guitar influences were Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) and Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash). A very similar set list to that we saw at Kettering before Christmas with a mixture of his own song and a few covers. Once again we were treated to the epic 'Walking on hot coals' by Rory Gallagher. I was talking to Derek the Bass guitarist pre-gig and he was telling me there are plans to do a whole album of Rory Gallagher covers. Playing live there was a wariness that he would become better known as a tribute band rather than an artist in his own right. due toa nightclub curfew it meant that the show had to finish at 10:30pm which didn't sit well with Larry. He would be happy to play all night i'm sure and did manage to sneak in an extra encore. At one stage he explained that he was being very professional tonight and not talking as much in between to get as many songs in as possible. It was a great night but just a shame that there were only about 120 or so who turned out to see two excellent bands.

An Evening With Bernie Keith - Derngate Northampton

It speaks volumes as to the popularity of BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith that this show was sold out in less than 2 hours. Also that he should wish to share his Birthday with his listeners. Not only that but the biggest house in the history of this wonderful old theatre turned out for this one off extravaganza. I struggled for a ticket and rather fortunately procured a seat at the back of the Upper Circle. I say seat it was more of an eyrie perched on the north face of the Eiger! My companion Kevin lives in Oxfordshire and found it difficult to imagine any of the radio presenters in that area receiving the same kind of adulation and following as Bernie. We did take the opportunity to pop onto the stage for a quick photo against the safety curtain backdrop. The atmosphere was building nicely as 7:45 approached unfortunately it all got a bit too much for the lady on the row in front who had a funny turn. She managed to get to the end of the aisle before being violently sick! Perhaps it was the excitement of seeing Bernie or maybe as I suspect a case of altitude sickness we will never know. But the show must go on as they say and by the second half, after the interval you could hardly smell anything after all the foot traffic. Bernie had mentioned on the radio in the run up to the show just how nervous he was getting at the very mention of the show. He had even had a strong word with his underwear warning that they were in for a busy old night. He need not of worried as from the word go he had the rapturous crowd in the palm of his hand. Regaling us with tales from his childhood and his love of the radio and broadcasting right through to a graphic account of his recent prostate examination... It certainly was a full and frank no holds barred 'warts and all' account of his life and the crowd loved every minute of it. Also on stage with Bernie was another Radio Northampton Broadcaster 'Rob Adcock' who was Ernie Wise to Bernie's Eric Morecambe. We were promised the odd unexpected guest and certainly got one in the shape of 'Benedict'. Certainly caused a bit of a stir with the ladies and not least Bernie.. Not to be outdone we also got to see 'Riley' Bernie's Miniature Shcnauzer. It was a lovely gesture that everyone also got a cake during the interval as well. The second half was an open house of audience questions with priority given to those willing to stand up and ask. Naturally I had one up my sleeve and thankfully a microphone was soon on hand to assist. Quite often when Bern mentions me tongue in cheek on the show he tells me that i'll never get anywhere with two Christian names. So I asked him long with the likes of Elton, Cliff and George how having two Christian names had enhanced his career? Not sure he totally answered the question but who cares. It was a hilarious night and Bernie got a thoroughly deserved standing ovation and everyone went home very happy.

Frosty Summerleys

Summerleys Nature Reserve is always worth a visit whatever the weather. Although this particular early January day was particularly cold with an air frost. It did make for some interesting photos though. The circular route is about 2 miles and only takes about an hour or so. One of the bird hides in particular is always well stocked with feed and attracts a good variety of hedgerow birds. Today we saw many Chaffinches, Tree Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tits, GreenFinches, Reed Buntings and probably best of all six Bullfinches both male and female.

The Cotswold Way -Dursley to Wootton Under Edge

Nothing better than to blow away a few Christmas cobwebs and get some healthy fresh air down in The Cotswolds (although I have done 2 x 20 mile plus bike rides, been swimming and to the gym). An 'old' cricketing friend of mine Geoff 'Biff' O'Dell is walking the entire 102 mile stretch of The Cotswold Way, although not in one go due to time constraints. In fact it is turning into years rather than days.. It was back in the Summer that we planned to do stretch together and was something I was much looking forward to. It is a 102 mile journey starting (or ending) in Chipping Camden and ending in Bath but mainly covering the county of Gloucestershire. It closely follows the scarp of the Cotswold Edge, with views mainly to the north and west; starting in the south with the Severn Estuary and Severn bridges the Forest of Dean, the Welsh hills of Monmouthshire and the Black Mountains on the Welsh border to the west. Today's walk from the Golf Course at Dursley to Wootton Under Edge is approximately 7.3 miles. Although we planed to do a circular route back to the car purely for interest. Leaving Dursley, the Cotswold Way climbs steeply up onto Stinchcombe Hill. The best views here are to found by taking the longer route around the perimeter of the hill. The Trail then descends through woodland into farmland and follows a track into the village of North Nibley. From here there is another steep ascent to the Tyndale Monument. The Tynedale Monument is the sort of thing I love to discover. Not least because it has a spiral staircase of some 121 steps that you can climb to the top to admire stunning views. The Tyndale Monument is a tower built on a hill at North Nibley. It was built in honour of William Tyndale, a translator of the New Testament, who is believed to have been born at North Nibley. The route levels out across grassland and through woodland leading onto Wotton Hill. There you will find a curious walled enclosure surrounding trees planted in 1815 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo, the Trail then descends into the town of Wotton-Under-Edge. A perfect place to sit, relax and enjoy the view, something of a Zen moment you might say. Admittedly on the route back we went a bit 'off piste' some might even say lost. But id didn't matter at all, it wasn't cold as such and the scenery was breathtaking. What struck me was the amazing late afternoon light that had a reddish hue against the backdrop of the woods. It was there that a young Fallow Deer ambled out into the open country.

Deaf Havana - Kasbah Coventry

This was an unusual gig for me and in truth I was a late substitute for someone caught up with the pre- Christmas festivities. So the chance of a new venue and something a bit different was too good to be turned down (especially as the ticket was free). The main act 'Deaf Havana' I was familiar with although I was not over impressed with most of what I had heard. Described as Alternative Rock they were formed in 2005 in Kings Lynn.

I was much more impressed by the guitar-driven five piece band from Cambridge 'Lonely The Brave' who I think have a big future. There are lots of different influences in their music from heavy and hardcore to a more proggy feel. They are unusual in that their singer 'Paul Jakes' is happy to stay out of the limelight 'side on' towards the back of the stage.

Fish - Roadmender Northampton

It had been a long wait but at last the waiting was over. Originally scheduled for May 16th it was cancelled due to the illness suffered by guitarist Robin Boult. Even now some dates are being re-scheduled as Fish is having a few voice issues. So it wasn't surprising that a wag in the crowd greeted him with 'Happy Easter'. With Marillion he made 4 albums before leaving in 1987. As a solo artist he recorded 10 albums including the latest 'A Feast of Consequences' after which this tour is named. It was the most packed that I have seen the Roadmender but it didn't stop Fish remarking on what a quiet crowd it was. 'Nobody has even shouted our for 'Grendel' yet'. 'It's a sorry state when you have to request your own heckles'. Lots of 'Fish tales' between the songs which were interesting and amusing. Highlights for me though were the two Marillion songs ; Heart of Lothian and the brilliant 'Incubus' as an encore. It would have been nice to have sen more Marillion songs in the set list but it seems to be an area consciously moved away from.

Larry Miller Band- Kettering Cornmarket

In Classic Rock's Blues reader's poll Larry Miller was voted no.3 only beaten by Joe Bonamassa and Walter Trout. So this was clearly someone who had to be taken very seriously indeed. Add to that someone hailed as the new 'Gary Moore' and filling the niche left behind by Rory Gallagher then praise doesn't come much higher. The Cornmarket is a lovely intimate little venue in Kettering.Dave Morse and Richard Boyles are the founders of 'Cornmarket Blues'and to promote blues/rock music in Kettering and after two SOLD OUT concerts are moving to a larger purpose built venue in Corby with much better audience and artist facilities. On 2nd May 2015 they are moving to a purpose built venue in Corby called The Raven Hall. Increased capacity of 300, partial seating, real ale bar, separate bar, food, accomodation and FREE on site parking. The venue has a great PA and light system to enhance your enjoyment of the show. Meanwhile Larry Miler continued to prove just what a showman and performer he is. Mixing his own large back catalogue with a few covers all expertly and elegantly crafted. Highlights included the Peter Green classic 'need your love so bad' and Rory Gallagher's 'walkin on hot coals'. On tonight's evidence it is not surprising that 'Blues Matters Magazine' write 'The most fiery and exciting blues rock guitarist on the current scene. Just a word for the excellent supporting act 'Albany Down' who really put on a great set and a bad to keep an eye open for.