Issue-47-May-2015

REVIEW
Notorious Melvin Hancox
The Gardeners Arms, Droitwich|Thurs 9th Apr
Melvin Hancox made a welcome return to this Droitwich
home of live music (and fine food);
inside a good number awaited
Melvin's performance though a few
more could have been squeezed in.
Inside this small bar the general form
has been solo acoustic settings, so
naturally Melvin's take on that is 2
amps, a PA, pair of speakers, lights,
pedal board and 4 guitars! Those
guitars are naturally all immaculate:
a 12 string Gretsch, 2 Gibson Les
Paul's and a Gibson acoustic which
all demonstrate their distinctive
qualities in the hands of master
guitarist Melvin.
We are treated to an opening with
Melvin putting slide to the acoustic
Gibson and straight off you realise
that you are in the presence of a
rather unsung maestro. Blues with
slide - definitely a case of less is more
- laced with 'Preachin Blues' some
great Son House lyrics and the glorious sound of brass on
steel strings. Those gathered responded warmly and this felt
like the start of a great evening but maybe I am biased? Well
of course I am - blues has become a passion. Melvin picked up
his gold anniversary Les Paul next and played righteous
tribute to one of his big influences with Peter Green's 'Oh
Well' and the air was electric the song suitably embellished by
Melvin's rapidly dancing fingers, forcing the Gibson to weep
with chords bent to extract that superb sound - magic.
Steve Gibbons & Aalia Large
The VIP Lounge, Steps Bar, Redditch| Sun 10th May
Following a complete
sellout gig last year, the
legendary Steve
Gibbons is set to make
a return to the town.
The promoter Adrian
Stone, was thrilled
when he had a call
from Mr Gibbons
saying that he enjoyed
the atmosphere so
much that he would
like to do another gig
here. How could we
refuse him! So a date
was set.
This year we are also
blessed to have a hugely talented local performer Ms Aalia
Large doing an opening set. For those that have not seen
Aalia yet, don’t miss this.
The gig is on Sunday 10th May, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm.
Tickets are just £7.50, and very limited for this event and are
available from Steps, Vintage Tracks Records, Cafe Mambo
No5 or online at www.beerweek.co.uk
38 SLAP MAY
Another change of weapon and the polished black Custom
took us 'All Along The Watchtower' with its rich mind
stretching sound. We are all lost in Melvin's world of Karmic
perfection; he is without doubt an exceptional guitarist but
would probably be the first to admit that he is not quite up
there vocally. There is however plenty of passion
and power and I've never heard any one
complaining; we are here mainly to hear him
play guitar and that is an absolute joy. This is his
second visit to the Gardeners Arms and
interestingly though he used more loops and
effects on the previous visit, I think I prefer this
'straight' set as it showcases his qualities more
and help enhance the subtleties of the different
instruments. So onto the 4th change and it is of
course the beautiful 12 string Gretsch: if the
Sirens had been equipped with these then
Odysseus would truly have been lost - what a
sensuous and mesmerising sound. 'Tambourine
Man' was the messenger then a wonderful 'Low
Budget' nicked from The Kinks took us to the
break.
Throughout the second set all those same,
select guitars were exercised again, so I will give
a flavour to the music played. Notables included
The Stones' 'Factory Girl' and 'Streetfighting
Man' then Melvin made the most of 'The Sabre
Dance': a thrilling charge of the light brigade on a Golden
Gibson. A foot stomping, tribal driven Cherokee Dance, led to
a Canned Heat medley - yeah let's work together! The songs
rolled out and Melvin is on fire and so it was time to pass
round some 'Whiskey In The Jar'; a fabulous beverage indeed.
We're all drunk on the sound and the end is nigh but there's
an 'Albatross' on the horizon and some feathers have fallen
out. You don't know what you missed - an excellent evening.
Will Munn
Quadrophenia Night
Artrix, Bromsgrove|Sat 16th May
Quadrophenia Night at Artrix is a unique event that
encompasses two fabulous bands who together bring to life
the classic sixties film. Headlining the event will be The Whoo
with a set covering both music from The Who’s classic album
along with all their hits. Completing the bill will be the
quintessential The Quik who will be playing the hits made
famous by artists such as the Animals, Small Faces, Kinks and
the Yardbirds. As with previous events, there’s a chance to
see the full movie, dress up as mods and rockers and
showcase your scooters on the Artrix forecourt!
Tickets cost £16.00 (£14.00) and are available from the box
office on 01527 577330 or online at