The Sunset Festival takes place on the Wirral and has a number of headline acts, plus a tribute to John Peel. Although the fare on offer is more contempory than the music we play we would still love to give this event a plug as we know a number of our friends will be attending.

Here is a video update about the Festival….

The show is now available at the same time on both Tuesdays and Sundays, 7pm - 10pm british time and 2pm - 5pm USA (est).

Thanks again for your continued support!

]]> http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/248/changes-to-our-radio-show-times-slot/feed/ http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/234/lucas-campbell-reviews-papa-legba-at-bjs-blues-club-14th-january-2010/ http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/234/lucas-campbell-reviews-papa-legba-at-bjs-blues-club-14th-january-2010/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:51:14 +0000 admin http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/?p=234 Papa Legba are a new band who have recently appeared on the Northwest live music circuit and they are already starting to make a name for themselves as a more than competent power blues rock trio who can deliver the goods.

Another great turn out at BJ’s Blues Club were about to witness one of the most awe inspiring performances ever seen at the club by this flegeling Merseyside band who have been together in this form for less than a year !

Papa Legba started their first set with a rousing powerhouse high energy rendition of “Crossroads” with Graham Brighouse on his vintage Ludwig drum kit making his presence felt immediately. Mr Brighouse’s aggressive but controlled style of skin attack raised the dynamics of the song onto the bands own frequency, he is certainly one of the most gifted percussionists to grace the stage at BJ’s.

The bands second song, an earthy but polished version of “Norwegian Wood” was equally outstanding, especially for the vocal harmonies from brothers Alan & Scott Crawford who have skillfully crafted a Beatles Classic to fit neatly within their own style, a truly great interpretation of this song !

We were treated to some more contemporary material in the form of ”Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse followed by a blistering rendition of “Killing Floor” with some astonishing high speed fretboard guitar rhythms highly reminiscent of the ‘67 version by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

The second set was a great balance of high energy material with an unusual of version “Crawling Kingsnake” and an atmospheric take on the Rory Gallagher classic “A Million Miles Away”. Scott Crawford on five string Bass underpinned the bands driving energy sound with some sterling bass playing and gave an extra depth and dimension to the bands performance with his excellent backing vocals.

Alan Kitwana Crawford is a sensational guitar player and a quality vocalist whose musical identity taps directly into the legacy of the blues and his own musical heritage. If there is any truth behind the legend indelibly written into the myths and stories of the delta blues musicians of the 1920’s that Papa Legba is the spirit that controls the crossroads and is able to dispense musical lalents, then this band who now bears his name have without question been down to the crossroads to receive the keys to the highway.  We can only hope that this spirit and passion will enable them to reach their destination.

Rod Evans, later to be replaced in the “purple” by Ian Gillan was a founding member of the band.

To celebrate Rod’s 63rd birthday here is a Deep Purple classic…

The Redeyeradionetwork is now the place to find the show on Tuesdays and Sundays each week, starting on the 3rd January 2010.

Happy new year to all our fans and listeners and keep rockin in 2010 in our new home on the redeyeradionetwork.

Whilst perusing the net for oldies one site we would love to share with our friends is 991.com

With something for everyone this is a great way to find the rare music we have tried to find elsewhere or have perhaps forgotten. A first class music site that offers the chance to find that great gift for xmas.

John Densmore was part of The Doors phenomenon from 1965 until 1973. Now established as a jazz drummer with his new band Tribaljazz, we are celebrating John’s birthday with this classic Doors track…

1966 London was a vibrant place for new music and Jimmy Hendrix was a breath of fresh air as his unique talent blew into town.

To celebrate this anniversary here is one of our favourite Jimmy Hendrix experience classics…

Neil Young of Crosby Stills Nash and Young fame as well as being a huge solo star was born on the 12th November in 1945.

To celebrate here is a huge Neil Young classic…

]]> http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/216/neil-young-sixties-superstar-is-64-on-the-12th-november/feed/ http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/205/lucas-campbell-reviews-the-witnesses-live-at-bjs-blues-clubthe-hop-pocket-29th-october-2009/ http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/205/lucas-campbell-reviews-the-witnesses-live-at-bjs-blues-clubthe-hop-pocket-29th-october-2009/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:08:56 +0000 admin http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/?p=205 Another ‘full house’ at BJ’s for the return of this very popular combo who always deliver their own ’self penned’ unique infectuous musical offerings with genuine warmth and emotion. The Witnesses are also adept at performing an entertaining selection of quality ‘covers’ which could be classified as Country, Rock & Roll and Americana.

The front man is Gerry O’Gorman, the main songwriter & rhythm guitarist who also plays mandolin and harmonica, a naturally gifted entertainer & humourist who is immediately at home behind the mic, introducing each song with musical snippets and anecdotes which enables the audience to relate more directly to the song. An original song entitled “Rock & Roll Byron” is one of those songs with rock overtones which was one of the highlights of the first set and stands up well against some of the more familiar material like J J Cale’s “Call Me The Breeze”.

The band is supremely talented as proven with a remarkable rendition of Lowell Georges’ “Willin” sung with great feeling by bassman Dave Harries who is a deceptively versatile player. There are indications that the band have an almost tex mex cantina style of playing with Tom O’Gormans’ guitar breaks adding spice to what was becoming a heady mix of sometimes sentimental bitter sweet songs and good time rock & roll which gives the band so much contrast and depth within their performance.

“The Weight” a classic late 60’s song is one of the highlights of a night that contained so many memorable moments which included “Mr Tamborine Man” embelished to great effect with Gerry’s mandolin coming through a clear sound mix. The perfect choice of the songs which included unacompanied vocal harmonies with drummer Mike Harries playing bass, gave off a vibe which is a chemisty that can only be created when a band is really ‘on song’.

We were also treated to ‘hoe down’ versions of “Sweet Home Alabama” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” but it was the finale which included a brace of Dave Edmunds barnstorming ‘full on’ rock & roll evergreens segued with ‘Shakys’ “Marie Marie” that blew the lid right off!

If there is a magic formula for writing and performing engaging enjoyable songs the Witnesses have found their holy grail, many have undertaken this musical odyssey but only four have returned to become “The Witnesses”.

]]> http://www.the-rock-of-ages-radio-show.com/music-heroes-blog/205/lucas-campbell-reviews-the-witnesses-live-at-bjs-blues-clubthe-hop-pocket-29th-october-2009/feed/