|
ARTISTS PLAYING AT THE WINDMILL
|
Watch him on YouTube:
www.youtube.com |
|
Watch him on YouTube:
www.youtube.com |
|
Internationally
acclaimed bluesman Papa George is admired on the club scene as an
extremely well respected musician. Over 30 years he has forged a
reputation for stunning performances on the blues circuits and
festivals, “Highly regarded, both here and in the US, and Europe, for
the gritty passion of his voice and his finesse on the blues frets…”
Paul Jones BBC Radio2.
Recognised as one of the
top guitarists and vocalists and described by THE TIMES as “a mean
axeman”, he captivates audiences playing Fender Stratocaster, or
bottleneck blues-style on Amistar and National Steel guitars.
Website:
Papa George |
|
Richard Townend
started playing semi-professionally when his band was runners up in the
National TSB rock competition. He studied music at Leeds College of
Music, whilst playing for diverse people as Alan Ayckbourn (the play
wright) and Ronnie Corbett on tour! He backed Tony Christie, Dana and
various other variety stars including a short tour with Charlie Drake!!
He ceased been professional in the late 80's and settled to performing
with his own band Lloyd George Knew my Father, who had tremendous
success in their street and that’s about it. He also organised 3 London
venues for new bands. Following this he played with a Police tribute
band called the Fraud Squad. He hung his guitar up when he moved to
Essex, but inspired by the live music in and around his hometown, he
went on to form the Boss Cats, which morphed into the Mighty Boss Cats.
Website:
Richard Townend |
|
Watch him on Youtube:
www.youtube.com |
|
Watch him on YouTube:
www.youtube.com |
|
Singer, songwriter Richard Dobney started getting
really interested in the blues when he was selected by Nugene
records boss Richard Pavitt to play guitar in the Bishops Blues Club
house band in 1995. He soon took over the vocal spot and developed
the dark trademark vocals for which he is renowned. He then went on
to found and host the famous Hot Hob Blues jam, which still runs to
this day. Out of this jam was formed the Richard Dobney Band and
then Richard Dobneys' Blues Engine, with the late great Ray Bartrip
on keys, that received much acclaim and toured leading blues venues
for several years. Two of Richards' songs, Girl and How I Feel Today
were included on the Essex Delta Blues CD's Vol 1 and 2. His myspace
site was noticed by Sue Marchant, who asked him to carry out a live
session for BBC radio Cambridge, which he did in January 2009 before
going to Thailand, where he toured extensively and was featured on
Chong Sam and other leading Thai TV networks. Richards' music has
also been played extensively on national radio stations in North and
West Africa.
Website:
Richard
Dobney |
|
Willy Finlayson
is the passionate vocalist from Scotland who first came to London in the
late 60's with Scottish Soul band The Writing On The Wall. He went on to
become a core member of the hugely popular MEAL TICKET with Steve
Simpson and BEES MAKE HONEY (during the influential pub rock boom).
Willy then formed his own band The Hurters with the likes
of Micky Moody and Matt Cheadle on guitar, Nigel Portman Smith on bass
and Alan Coulter on drums. This band ran parallel with a solo career
that spawned the top 20 hit and video with Pete Barden's "On The Air
Tonight".
Willy was also a busy session singer appearing on the
Manfred Mann's Earthband album "Chance" and lent his voice to several
national TV ads. He continues to play live with the all star Hurters. A
brilliant singer who brings rare emotion to bear on a wide range of
material, Willy is still best described as "explosive".
Website:
Willy Finlayson |
|
Watch him on YouTube:
www.youtube.com |
|
Watch him on
You Tube |
Chris Dowling got his
first guitar when he was 10 years old, He was also taught to play by the
legendary Marc Bolan. By the age of 15 Chris had his first gig in front
of a thousand people and since then there has been no stopping him and
his musical talents. Over the next 15 years Chris has played in and with
a phenomenal amount of different people and places including gigs in
Spain on the same bill as artist such as Queen and Rod Stewart, Then in
1990 Chris was introduced to the Nutfinder by fellow band member
Dangerous Dave and the Monster Raving Loonys were born. Over the Next 5
years Screaming Lord Sutch, Crucial Chris, Dangerous Dave and Smiley
Were put to work by the Nutfinder while at the same time being locked
into the political movement The Monster Raving Loony Party, Chris had
put thousands of man hours into performing covers and now needed to
concentrate his efforts on writing original material. He formed a band
called Shark Attack, based at the Mucky Duck, Ockham. Where American
Werewolf in London was filmed. Sadly the band split as many do in this
industry. Then still linked with the Nutfinder and What's Next Covers
band, Chris became known as the Human Jukebox and so he set out to start
a new original band with the Nutfinder called The Brainchild.
Website:
Chris Dowling & What's Next |
|
Steves'
past musical collaborations read like a "Who's Who"
of great musicians and bands.
From Joe
Brown and Billie
Jo Spears to
the much missed
Ronnie Lanes' Slim Chance,
Steve went on to achieve further critical acclaim with Meal
Ticket.
During his time with Meal Ticket, he worked alongside,
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band,
The Atlanta Rhythm Section,
and
Ry Cooders' Chicken
Skin Music Band.
Some of his other musical associates include,
The Rutles, Roger
Chapman, Chris Farlowe, Maggie
Bell,
Eric Bibb, Amy
Wadge and Demis
Roussos
Website:
Steve Simpson |
|
Steve Whalley & Nigel Hardy
Watch them on
You Tube
|
|
Ian
Hunt
Watch Ian & Papa George live on
You Tube |
|
Steve Whalley has drawn the attention of and consequently forged working
collaborations with some of the very foundations of British and American
popular and traditional music. Artists include Chuck Berry, Ry Cooder,
Taj Mahal, James Burton, Jerry Donohue, Jerry Rafferty, Cliff Richard
and the list goes on. With reference to James Burton, Steve was the
choice as Frontman,vocalist & guitar for the promotion of the " James
Burton " signature series " Telecaster " guitar for Fender UK Ltd, an
event covered by the national press with Sir Cliff Richard and
Shakin..Stevens singing backup vocals!! How cool is that?
As an artist touring the World at high profile level to this day Steve
is equally at home in a small club as in a grand concert hall. In
between his own shows, Steve took over From Noddy Holder as Frontman,
singer & guitar with 70..s act Slade and covered all their shows for 15
years from the early 90..s " Not my bag musically, but Noddy was nice to
me, and the fans were absolutely incredible !"
Wherever he appears audiences are left spellbound with his powerful &
emotive delivery. His guitar style combines immense power and unorthodox
savvy, ranging from Cooderesque Slide/bottleneck, thru Gospel, Soul,
Rock and Reggae.
Steve has made records for, Major companies and independently "Which is
why I love the Net because there’s more room for expression and
control." An old friend of Farmer Michael Eaves, founder of the
Glastonbury Festival, Steve has played main stage there four times!
"Taste wise I tend to go for stuff that makes the hair on my neck stand
up, like the first time I heard Cats like Buddy Holly, Ray Charles and
later Stevie Winwood, Van Morrison, Ricky Lee Jones and especially Ry
Cooder, I think he’s a master musician on this planet & if you pay
attention, he points to places you need to be. Best of all I like
playing shows with my Buddies, Nigel Hardy ( Bass ) and Steve Bruce
(Drums, Mr.Feel) We always have a lot of fun, and we always win!...N..that's
Mah Rulin! Steve
Website:
Steve Whalley |
|
From playing guitar in the acoustic clubs
of the 70’s, Ian went on to tour and record for many artists including
Tom Paxton. His own career
as a singer/songwriter/guitarist has taken him to Europe, Scandinavia
and America. He has recorded
guitar library music, which is used in films and television worldwide.
Ian has
also been the voice behind many adverts including Cadbury, Bounty, Rover
and Nescafe, as well as appearing on radio, film, television and
recordings with, amongst others, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor.
His
music today is a mixture of finger picking, a very special ‘delay’
effect and his ‘throaty’ voice. When not gigging he is teaching guitar.
Website:
Ian Hunt |
|
Watch them on
You
Tube |
|
See videos:
www.robinbibiband.co.uk |
|
Twisted Harmony are an up-and-coming
acoustic folk duo, who have been wowing the South London music scene
with their fresh sound and inspiring performances. Their on-stage
chemistry and obvious enjoyment of their music makes them a thrill to
watch. Visit website:
Twisted Harmony
|
|
Robin Bibi is one of the UK’s top
blues/rock guitarists and having paid his dues working with such names
as Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Ben.E.King, The Pretty Things and Helen
Shapiro, launched the Robin Bibi Band in 1996. The Band’s debut album
‘Blue Thrash Therapy’ was released a year later and quickly sold out
leading to a recent
re-release. Five albums on, Robin’s acoustic album ‘Fast Life Songs’ has
also received critical acclaim and continues to sell well. Blues, funk,
soul, rock, reggae and jazz are all rolled together in The Robin Bibi
Band's own feel-good concoction. Above all, the Band’s aim is to give
their audience a night to remember whilst guaranteeing
the best British Blues Rock can offer in a tried and tested, exciting,
spontaneous, power trio format. Because of their widely known reputation
with a highly entertaining stage presentation, the Robin Bibi Band are
now one of the busiest bands round the Southern music venue circuit and
have played most of the major Blues festivals in the UK, Ireland, and
Europe.
Visit website:
www.robinbibiband.co.uk |
|
Three Mustgetbeers
Watch them on
You Tube
|
|
Watch him on
You Tube |
|
On the first day that Brian Willoughby moved to
Twickenham in the 70s, he went for an exploratory stroll through the
town and found Jemimah's Wine Bar (now The Eel Pie) in Church Street,
with a billboard saying that blues was playing inside. Brian wandered in
for a listen and chatted to Bob Lewis at the interval, mentioning that
he was also a guitar player. Bob invited him to join in for the second
half and they have been playing together in many different bands ever
since.
Cathryn Craig tells the story that Bob Lewis was
instrumental in the creation of "Alice's Song", by spilling tea on
Brian's new carpet. Cathryn leapt for the cleaning fluids, whilst Brian
sat on the sofa playing his guitar. Brian hit on a beautiful melody that
made Cathryn cry, but Brian assumed she was overcome with fumes from the
carpet cleaner. He recorded the melody for her and she then wrote the
lyrics
Bob's Red Hot Pick-up Band featured another excellent
guitar player, John Evans. Bob and John teamed up and calling themselves
Dr Bob and Big John, they have made quite a name for themselves as a
rhythm and blues duo, around the Twickenham area. Whenever other
commitments permitted, Brian would join them. Originally, the three of
them played as Dr Bob and Big John featuring Brian Willoughby, but now
they play as The Three Mustgetbeers. The maths and nomenclature get
slightly complicated though, as occasionally they are joined by Rob
Townsend (Family, The Blues Band, The Manfreds) on drums. Dr Bob and Big
John still play as a duo when Brian isn't available.
The 3MGBs play mainly covers of Country Blues standards,
but do sneak their own compositions in occasionally. They are
characterised by a driving rhythm from Bob's acoustic guitar, with
beautiful improvisations from John and Brian, orchestrated by an almost
telepathic connection between them.
See website:
www.strawbsweb.co.uk |
|
Bob has been gigging on the British Blues Circuit for
several years now. The main band for his creative out-pourings is THE
GUV'NORS, who play a sonic collision of hard funk, latin and the blues
(with a touch of hip hop added). Purist Blues they ain't. 2008 marked
the THE GUV'NORS 20th ANNIVERSARY for which a DVD 'GUV'NOLOGY' was
released. As the Guv'nors is quite a big outfit, it's not practical for
many venues. So at these, he gigs with the ROBERT HOKUM BLUES BAND. A 3
piece who do play Purist Blues - mainly in the classic Chess styles.
Another project is BLUES SANS FRONTIERES, a multi-cultural band
experimenting with the blues on ethnic instruments (check out 'Walkin'
The 4020'). He also performs at THE LITERATURE LOUNGE which is a
collective of poets, musicians and performance artists. And.....to keep
him off the streets he also plays SOLO & DUO gigs.
Visit website:
www.guvnors.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE WINDY
MUSIC
GIG GUIDE
9pm start
Back in Autumn 2011
Email for gigs:
gigs@thewindy.co.uk
Bookings:
07966 519844
THE
WINDMILL
OPENING HOURS:
|
Mon - Thur
|
11am-11pm |
|
Fri & Sat
|
11am - Midnight |
|
Sun
|
Noon - 10:30pm
|
|
