CALLANDER JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL 2021 VARIOUS VENUES

CALLANDER JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL 2021 VARIOUS VENUES

Friday 1st October - Sunday 3rd October

Review by Colin Campbell 

Photos by Stuart Stott

This Festival is proud to be the largest rural Jazz and Blues Festival in Scotland. It has been running for many years, but this is the first time this reviewer has been.

 Set in the beautiful Trossachs, Callander is a popular destination for holidaymakers, but this weekend was for live music aficionados and just a treat for the ocular senses. Run over three days, this must be a difficult task to perform especially during these post pandemic times. There was an air of expectation and a real buzz about the town as late afternoon arrived and so to artists and followers alike.


 Unfortunately, this reviewer did not get to see all the acts on show but made a fairly good try. Also, the bands chosen to see were rooted in the blues genre. The venues were wide and varied.


There is a system where you can buy a rover ticket for the paid events, alas all events intermingle so this seems a loss leader, just an observation, no criticism. Anyway, this is just the jottings of one very keen live blues enthusiast.


 It is just brilliant to have live music back and talking with assembled fans this certainly was a general feeling of the atmosphere of the weekend. Onto the music: Friday: As mentioned, the venues were many and varied; first artist to see was Al Hughes at a café/diner called Fat Jacks.

Traditional blues played in a fine environment, his finger picking style and slide guitar playing was excellent. Can’t Shake Off The Blues and Sunshine Two Step particular highlights of a mellow straight traditional blues set. Just the right start to the Festival, sweet tones, gentle vocals and raw stripped back blues songs. Next it was a stroll up to the Callander Hostel to see Lights Out By Nine, who Al Hughes used to front, small world the blues circuit.

 They are a classic eight-piece soul, funk and rhythm and blues band, with the pulse being a three-piece horn section, keyboards and some very soulful lead vocals and great harmonies.


The band played tunes from an extended back catalogue of originals, mixed with some carefully selected classic southern soul tracks which were much appreciated by fans and new attendees alike. Their musical styles varied during a very enjoyable set, a very professional and well-polished performance from a great musical unit, who also mix humour on stage, a great connection to an adoring public.


 There was just enough time to catch a couple of tunes from Redfish Blues Band at The Waverley Hotel. They were nearly finished their set. The place was full and the new look band with Christian Sharpe on lead vocals sounded excellent as they played some old school blues covers including a fantastic version of Born Under A Bad Sign.


Back to bluesbased music for them, look forward to hearing new material from them soon. This is a Festival that just keeps giving, next it was a chance to catch Dom Martin playing solo at Poppies Hotel. This was the highlight of the day, he was just mesmerising. Seeing him in a small intimate setting just takes your breath away.


 Sitting tuning up, an unassuming figure, but when he started playing his guitar and singing, the Belfast boy was amazing. He has charisma and that cheeky Irish charm when talking to the audience, he is very engaging and so truthful. He makes every audience member think he is singing particularly to that person and when he plays guitar, it is just a connective experience.


 He played a lot of songs from his album Spain To Italy, songs of addiction, love, loss and relationships, especially with his father and songs like Antrim Blues and The Rain Came were delivered in such a powerful tone, no words could describe. This artist’s star is quite rightly on the rise and is destined for more acclaim and awards, he has that feel for the blues and is evolving the genre with his own interpretation, a stunning memorable set.


 Nothing could beat this experience of seeing him on a live stage, he is that good! Well, where to go after this one, there was still time to get along to catch The Cinelli Brothers at a packed Waverley Hotel. On arriving people were already dancing and enjoying the music and the band gave everything they had to make a great night. They are all multi-instrumentalists and use each other’s instruments during a performance.

Their style is rooted in blues with a distinct Italian flavouring of electric Chicago and Texas blues styles. A young band they comprise off; Marco (guitar, keyboard and vocals), Tom “JJ” Julian Jones (Guitar, harmonica and vocals), Alessandro Cinelli (Drums) and Enzo Strano (Bass Guitar). What a tight and organised band this is, the chemistry between them is extraordinary.


 This was a high energy performance lapped up by an adoring audience. The interplay between the band was amazing and when they get into a groove, this is incendiary at times. Sweet tones, great vocals, just a class act. Watch out for their new album Villa Juke Joint it’s a grower. These boys sure know how to work an audience and keep the attention, smart and full of rhythm and blues, a band to watch out for!

Saturday: After a late night and hearty breakfast, it was a relatively early start 10 am to go and see Sister Gavin and The Gator at The Club House, an interesting venue, beside a crazy golf course, an outside venue. The weather was kind if a bit nippy sometimes but what a great set this duo put on. They have been wowing the internet with regular live streams on Sunday’s today was a chance to see how they performed in a live setting with a few people attending, including Sister Gavin’s newly born child! (Adele Gavin, vocals) ably assisted by her counterpart Iain Donald (Acoustic guitar and Resonator).


 They did two powerful sets, mixing mainly covers and performed their latest single Walking Free which was sung beautifully, a real soul-searching song along with some cracking rhythm and blues, stand outs being Love Me Like A Man, Susie Q and Fever. Iain’s slide tones on his Resonator particularly punctuating throughout the set. They have a great rapport between them, and Adele’s sultry vocals blend well with this musical style, a very pleasant start to the day, raw blues delivered with emotion and style. Ambling up Callander High Street, couldn’t stop myself from popping into Dalgair House Hotel to get another fix of The Cinelli Brothers and yes! they were as good as the previous night, these are hard working artists, a large appreciative audience were blown away by their groove and rhythm and overall stylish performance. There was crowd participation and just a real buzz of excitement and enthusiasm.


On leaving, it started to rain heavily, so made a dash to the McLaren High School to see The Revolutionaries, alas got there just when they had finished their first set. Today they were a four piece, with Ed on lead vocals, storming guitar and deft dance movements, he had his drummer, bass and keyboard players with him, and they rocked the joint. The break was fortuitous as was able to watch the dancers. Previously, Rock Til You Drop had a tutorial Jive Class and when The Revs came back on stage the dance floor was awash with dancers, just a sight to behold. Roll Over Beethoven a particular favourite. Unfortunately, being soaked it was difficult to join in! The band were brilliant, Ed starting to get a sweat on took his jacket off and the party got into full swing. The energy in the room was palpable and could have generated the whole of Callander it was so electric, another great set by the band to an already converted audience of revellers! Saturday afternoon at 3pm was another paid event and another chance to see and meet the wonderful talent that is Dom Martin.


This time it was in a larger venue, The Callander Hostel and to a larger crowd. Again, he mesmerised with intricate guitar work, reality tales, humour and pathos. He mixed the set up and again delivered a five-star performance, sneaking in Rory Gallagher tunes and his own compositions. He has a vocal that is so unique but drawing on the likes of John Martyn. He paid homage to Roy Buchanan with a stunning performance of Roy’s blues. On the other spectrum, Spain To Italy was faultless and emotional, it just takes the audience to a special place, soaring guitar tones and sweet vocals, really can’t say how good this musician is.


 He now engages with the audience and pours his soul into every lyric and note. Saturday night, time to get a bit of rocky blues into the system. Only one place to go and that was Dalgair House Hotel to see the all-new line up that is the GT’s Blues Combo. Greig Taylor frontman and lead singer has put together a powerhouse selection of very talented musicians; Dave Cantwell (Drums), David Cowan (Keyboards), Brian McFie (Bass Guitar). Their set was incredible, mixing new original material such as the haunting Ain’t Got You with rockabilly numbers like I Shoulda Known, another original. Tears In My Beer was a particular favourite, showing off a great tight band. Second set was well received by a packed audience and started off with the Gospel infused None Of Us Are Free. Freestyle blues next with Buff’s Bar blues and then an interpretation of a GT Boos Band classic, Crucifixion Blues.


 The Light, a new tune again was delivered well, slow tempo. They then exploded into rhythm with don’t Believe A Word, the bass-line a particular highlight. 3 Chords And Truth was a new one, well received and they finished off with a jamming version of Whorehouse Blues. This was a perfect ending to the set. Loud, energetic, pacy, rhythmic, what’s not to like about this band. A great ovation at the end summed it all up, what an atmosphere, blues, rock and boogie, phenomenal.


This band is hot property no mistake, catch them when you can! It was time to crank up the noise level and go and see the Five Points Gang at The Waverley Hotel. The place was rocking to the beat when entering the steamy atmosphere. This is a power trio in every sense of the word, they are the real deal and deserve much acclaim. They played a lot of tracks from their debut album Wanted. They have diverse influences, and this is exciting to hear as their interpretation of blues songs is different and challenging. They comprise of; Welshman Joe Pearson (Lead singer and guitarist), Frenchman Gaet Allard (Drums) and Brazilian Dinho Barral (Bass Guitar). They put on a wonderful set full of bluesy rock tunes, funk and just full-on adrenalin fired boogie.


Highlights were renditions of How Long, All Points Bulletin and the soulful blues number What Kind Of Man. Joe even did a walkabout, well as far as he could go, so crammed was the space. Dinho is just a sublime bass player keeping rhythm with Gaet on drums. They are all so happy delivering their music style, infectious beats, a treat. Also, they covered Superstition and cranked the rhythm to eleven! As Joe says, “Live music is back”, if all bands had this one’s attitude, blues music will always evolve and feel the benefit. Another great day’s entertainment, really spoiled for choice at artists to see and hear.

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