2008 - Burnley Mechanics

Sponsored byEaster Bank Holiday Weekend21 st –23 rd March 2008Artists may be subject to changewww.burnleymechanics.co.uk/blues

Twenty years ago...On Thursday 21st March 1989 LittleWilly Littlefield, ably supported bythe Big Town Playboys, headlinedthe 1 st Burnley National Blues Festival.Little Willy brought the house downand introduced the British publicto a new and exciting generation ofinternational Blues Festivals. From thatmoment the Burnley National BluesFestival became the birthplace of themodern British blues festival movement.Welcome to the 20thBurnley InternationalBlues FestivalSponsored by Aircelle BurnleyLittle Willie Littlefield wowsthe crowds at the first BurnleyNational Blues Festival in 1989For our 20th anniversary we begin with the UK debut of European blues master ThorbjornRisager, closely followed by the magical talent of the exquisite and multi talented EarlThomas. The evening concludes with the hottest west coast jump blues band on the planetLittle Charlie and the Night Cats.Saturday specialises in a combination of great women of the blues and festival nostalgia.Raunchy blues diva Angela Brown along with multi award winning Connie Lush and theyoung fresh talent of Dani Wilde share the day with performers from our very 1st festival– Johnny Mars (who will be making a special guest appearance with the Michael Roachband) and the return of Little Willie Littlefield & Mike Sanchez.Our final day takes a fascinating journey from the opening chords of emerging British bandThe Stumble through to the undiscovered treasure of Boo Boo Davis and Chicago highfliers Nick Moss and the Flip Tops. We finish with two established world masters in the formof New Orleans piano legend Henry Butler and East Coast guitarist and bandleader DukeRobillard both of who have influenced generations of blues lovers and performers alike.Our 20th festival also features special appearances in Oliver’s Bar by Eddie Blue & theRavens and the outstanding talent of young guitar wizard Oli Brown along with a fullfestival fringe, exceptional blues boat performances and workshops.A special big thank you goes to our major sponsor Aircelle for their support along with youthe audience who have supported the festival over the past 20 years. Thank you.Barbara Hood, Burnley Mechanics3

Friday 21 st MarchMain StageAircelle Concert10pm Little Charlie &the Nightcats8.30pm Earl Thomas Band7pm Thorbjørn RisagerEarl Thomas4Tickets: £20

Dani Wilde6Saturday 22 nd March Main Stage9.30pm Little WillieLittlefield &Mike Sanchez& the Portions8pm Michael RoachBand & JohnnyMars6.30pm Angela Brown5pm Connie Lush3.30pm The Backbones2.30pm Dani WildeFull day tickets: £30

Dani WildeHaving supported artists such asJools Holland and Gary MooreDani Wilde is without doubt one ofthe countries leading young bluesperformers. Currently touring as onethird of Ruf records’ ‘Blues Caravan’line-up featuring Candye Kane andDeborah Coleman, Dani takes timeout to make her welcome debut at thefestival. A must see!“Blues songstress set to make it bigon the international scene!”The Times MagazineThe BackbonesExplosive, committed, sweet andsoulful, The Backbones featuresome of Holland’s strongest bluesmusicians. Although well knownas the backing band for many USAartists, including Mitch Kashmarand Monster Mike Welch, they arearguably at their best when led byvocalist/harp player “Big Pete” VanDer Pluym. His harmonica playing isalso featured on the latest albums byMatt Schofield and Ian Siegal.Connie LushNow widely recognised as one of the finest bluessingers that the UK has ever produced, Conniewas voted ‘Best UK Female Vocalist’ five times byreaders of Blues In Britain, earning her a richlydeserved place in the Gallery of the Greats.Angela Brown and theMighty 45’sChicago diva Angela Brown’s superior vocalartistry combined with the outstanding musicalabilities of The Mighty 45’s produce a compellingact described as the hottest live blues, soul andgospel show to be seen outside Chicago! Always ahit at British Blues festivals Angela has proved thather ranking alongside Etta James and Koko Tayloris fully justified! She’s a larger than life characterwho knows how to get an audience eating out ofthe palm of hand.Angela BrownThe BackbonesConie Lush7

Saturday 22 nd March Main StageMichael Roach Bandwith special guest Johnny MarsMichael Roach, an internationally acclaimed country blues artist, made the transition froman acoustic performer to big band leader, recreating the resonance of the music he grew upwith - music dedicated to the more soulful sound of rhythm and blues. Joining Michael forwhat promises to be an electrifying set will be accomplished songwriter, harmonica playerand vocalist Johnny Mars. Expect nothing less than high-energy perfection.Little Willie Littlefield &Mike Sanchezperforming here in 1989Little Willie Littlefield,Mike Sanchez BandOne of the world’s greatest boogie woogie piano players Little Willie Littlefield is back intown. Piano legend Willie, started his recording career in 1949 and made his worldwidecomeback in 2006. The ensuing 60 years encompassed classics such as “Ruby, Ruby”and “Kansas City”. Together with Mike Sanchez, Britain’s greatest Rhythm and Bluesperformer Little Willie promises a sensational show. This concert echoes back 20 years, it isunashamedly nostalgic and it will be a definite highlight at this year’s festival.8

WorkshopsTickets: £12Michael RoachMichael RoachGuitar WorkshopSaturday, March 22 nd – 1pmConductor of numerous workshops throughoutthe USA and Europe and founder of the EuropeanBlues Association, Michael Roach conduct’s anacoustic guitar master class that will focus ondeveloping the skills necessary for finger-pickingcountry blues. Michael will teach beginner toadvanced chord progressions, using your thumbto play alternating bass patterns, rhythm, runs and‘hot licks’ in country blues guitar techniques.Johnny MarsHarmonica WorkshopSaturday, March 22 nd – 3pmA ‘master class’ covering all aspects of blues harp.After an explanation of the approaches used onharmonica, Johnny will then discuss note bending,trills, improvisation, vamps and rhythms alongwith the basics of understanding the scale in blues.All participants should have a C harp.You may wish to bring along a tape recorder torecord the lessons for future reference.Johnny Mars9

Duke RobillardNick MossBoo BooDaviesHenry ButlerSean Webster10The StumbleSunday 23rd MarchMain Stage9.30pm Duke Robillard Band8pm Henry Butler6.30pm Nick Moss &the Flip Tops5pm Sean Webster3.30pm Boo Boo Davies2.30pm The StumbleFull day tickets: £30

The StumbleMaking their main stage debutthis Preston based outfit are theperfect band to kick start the day.Explosive Chicago blues, exceptionalmusicianship and excellent stagepresence have earned The Stumble aformidable reputation as one of theUK’s most respected blues bands.Boo Boo DavisBoo Boo Davis is the real deal, a deltabluesman emerging from the samearea, period and tradition as mostof the old blues greats. Boo Booperforms traditional blues with thesame intensity as the masters whotaught it to us. John Lee Hooker,Elmore James, Robert Pete Williams,he remembers them all dropping byhis house and rehearsing with hisfather Sylvester Davis. Like all thesegreats from the blues history booksBoo Boo’s singing has a timelesscomponent that makes his messagecome through loud and clear.Highly recommended!Sean WebsterSince their first appearance at Burnleyin 2005 this brilliant 3 piece outfithave earned themselves a greatreputation on the British blues androck scene. Sean’s rich powerfulvocals and searing guitar licks havemade him instantly recognisable.His growth in the music industrycontinues to escalate both here and inthe USA and their second CD entitled,“ If Only” pushed the boundaries ofblues music with Sean reaching out toa wider and (often) younger audience.Don’t miss it!Nick Moss &The Flip TopsThis young Chicagoan stands tallest in the currentgeneration of blues performers that honour thespirit of Chicago Blues. No less than Jimmy Rogershimself saw Nick as a protégé, a torchbearer, and acolleague.His album “Live At Chan’s” received two 2007Blues Music Award nominations in addition to thenods for “Band of the Year” and “Instrumentalist:Guitar“. Nick Moss and his Flip Tops sizzle in liveperformance with outstanding, superior blues.Henry ButlerEight-time W.C. Handy “Best Blues Instrumentalist -Piano” award nominee.New Orleans very own Henry Butler knows nolimitations. Blind since birth, he began playingpiano at the tender age of six. Today he is a masterof musical diversity and through his classicallytrained wizardry, he continues to craft a soundthat is uniquely his own. Incorporating a richamalgam of R&B and blues influences, his musicis as excitingly eclectic as that of his New Orleansbirthplace. This is sure to be one of the mostversatile and electrifying sets of the festival.Duke RobillardOne of this era’s most acclaimed guitar players anda legend in the blues community, Duke Robillardhas spanned the worlds of blues and swing sincehe founded the renowned big band Roomful ofBlues in 1967.He has collaborated with many legendary figuresin the past including Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown,Muddy Waters. B.B. King and the Legendary BluesBand. After leading his own band until 1990 Dukewent on to replace Jimmy Vaughan in the FabulousThunderbirds.Duke’s upbeat live performance accented by hisswinging horn section is an explosive way to closeour 20th anniversary festival.11

Oliver’s Bar – Free EntryThere is a refreshing look to the festival stagethis year including the super charged blues funkof American veteran Eddie Blue and the Ravens,Chicago Style boogie blues with Khalif ‘Wailin’Walter and the UK’s fastest emerging blues talentOli Brown. Acoustic performers Chris James andJim Crawford provide their own mix of countryblues and humour to ease you into the day.Along with the cream of British bands the festivalstage will be a classic.Khalif ‘Wailin’ WalterWalter’s stormy guitar work and brash NewOrleans style vocals generate the band’straditional down-home Chicago sound,reminiscent of greats like Albert King, and AlbertCollins. Fused with contemporary style andinnovative original arrangements, Khalif deliversfoot stomping finger snapping Boogie Blues thatburns the house to the ground.Eddie Blue & The RavensFrom the southern states of the USA Eddie Blue& The Ravens is the real deal, steeped in historyand rattling out a stream of blues funk and R&Btunes guaranteed to shake up the house. Packedwith top US musicians this band is a real coup forOliver’s.Oli BrownOli and his band have just secured the incrediblesupport slot on the legendary Johnny Wintersforthcoming tour and will be the UK’s onlyrepresentative at the International BluesChallenge in Memphis.“A real talent” John Mayall“Oli is the most promising blues man to emergefrom Britain in a long time!” Blues MattersFriday 21 st2pm Tin Pan Alley4pm The Convertibles6pm The Back PorchBlues Band8pm Roy Mette10pm Khalif‘Wailin’ WalterSaturday 22 nd2pm Chris James4pm ChantelMcGregor6pm Route 668pm Oli Brown10pm LyndonAndersonSunday 23 rd2pm Jim Crawford4pm Stone Sole River6pm Eddie Blue Ray& the Ravens8pm Bill Daison Band10pm SlowburnerTickets: FREE12

ChantelMcGregorSlowburnerPaul Bridgewater is a “Great singer who continuesthe tradition of British blues soul singers” RobertPlant“The band overflows feral blues rock” MojoLyndon Anderson Band“The band are excellent” Paul Jones“Tougher version of Rod Piazza” Blues In BritainThe Back Porch BandTheir unique variety of humour and foot stompingacoustic blues conjure up an atmosphere of goodol’fun sat on a back porch somewhere near theMississippi delta. If toe-tapping, skiffle and evenrock & roll is your bag be sure to catch this bandKhalif‘Wailin’WalterChantel McGregor“This band takes the technicalities of Vai andSatriani and blends this with the excitement ofHendrix to create high energy Blues-Rock in thevein of Joe Bonamassa and Aynsley Lister.”Blues MattersEddie Blue &The RavensOli Brown13

Blues CruiseAboard the Marton EmperorSailings take place at 12pm –1.30pm & 3pm each dayEnjoy a relaxing hour on boardthe Marton Emperor with theclassic combination of greatmusic, wonderful landscapes anda refreshing drink.Tickets: £5.50Khalif ‘Wailin’WalterSaturday 22nd MarchAfter touring and performing underthe tutelage of his uncle and mentorCarl Weathersby, Khalif spent fouryears as a band alumnus for two-timeGrammy nominee Lonnie Brooks.Known for his exceptional guitarwork and New Orleans style vocals,reminiscent of greats such as AlbertKing and Albert Collins, Khalifregularly performs his foot stompingboogie blues on the Chicago Bluescircuit and festivals throughout theUS & EU.Khalif ‘Wailin’ WalterEddie Blue LesterSupported by Alex MaysSunday 23rd MarchEddie Blue brings a glimpse into a lifetime spenton the road as a blues performer in the USA. Thisincluded time on the Chittlin circuit playing inthe Jimmy Church Revue with Billy Cox and JimiHendrix.Classically trained Eddie has shared the stage withmany national acts, such as Big Jack Johnson andMagic Slim. He is the front man in The CrossroadsBlues Band, which had the honour of competingin the International Blues Challenge held inMemphis, Tennessee.Don’t miss both artists performing with their fullbands in Oliver’s Bar.Eddie Blue Lester14

Festival InformationTicket Office Opening Hours: Burnley Mechanics - Monday – Friday 12 Noon – 5pm.Saturday – 10am – 12.45pm – Sundays Closed.Or book online at www.burnleymechanics.co.uk. Telephone 01282 664400.Festival Weekend Opening Times: Friday – Sunday 12 noon – 10pm.How to Book: By Access, MasterCard, Switch, or Visa in person or over the telephone; bycheque/PO made payable to Burnley Borough Council (there is a handling charge of £1 perticket for all telephone card bookings).If you require your tickets to be posted to you please add £2.50 to your total as all ticketsare sent recorded delivery. Tickets lost or stolen cannot be replaced.Toilets are located on both floors. A radar key operates the theatre level disabled toilet. Ifyou do not have a radar key please ask a festival steward for assistance.Festival Fringe Brochure: Incorporating a comprehensive guide to who is on and where,will be available from all Fringe Venues and The Burnley Mechanics one week before thefestival.Blues Festival Accommodation 2008: Log onto www.burnleytourism.co.uk for a completeguide to hotels, B&B’s and Self Catering accommodation. Alternatively contact the BurnleyMechanics Ticket Office 01282 664400.Burnley Mechanics: Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1BH is owned and operated byBurnley Borough Council.Ticket Office:(01282) 664400Book online atwww.burnleymechanics.co.ukNew for 2008 Kelly’s Kitchen:Supplying all your catering needs throughout the festivalweekend. Kelly offers an extensive variety of dishes made withhigh quality ingredients. Healthy options are also available. Formenu samples log onto www.kellys-kitchen.co.ukMC Chris PowersFull Festival Ticket: £68Friday Day Ticket: £20Sunday Day Ticket: £30Saturday Day Ticket: £30Blues Cruise £5.50PHOTO CREDITSAndy Ford – Brian Smith – Kate Moss - Nigel CliffWorkshops £1215

Manchester Road, Burnley BB11 1BHTicket Office: (01282) 664400www.burnleymechanics.co.uk/bluesWe gratefully acknowledge the support given by our festival sponsors.To all who gave support over the past 20 years to keep theblues in Burnley alive - thank you all.Graphics and Communications, © Burnley Council 2008. [t] 01282 425011. Job_2838.