Fri 2nd June 23 – Guy Davis + Michael/Scott (King Bees) @ Cluny2
Although he was born in New York City, the self-taught guitarist Guy Davis heard stories of the Deep South from his parents and grand parents… However he learnt his fine claw banjo fingerpicking from a summer camp in Vermont and from John Seeger (Pete’s brother) . At last night’s great Jumpin Hot Club gig at Cluny2, he showed his great versatility on both instruments by encompassing classic blues covers such as John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” , to raunchy blues ditties like ” Shake your Pudding” that suited his smooth singing style too . His more serious folky songs thew a curve ball on the evening, like my favourite number, calling for peace ” Palestine my Palestine ” and also “Watch over me ” a song he sang to get his child to sleep . The blues award winner & multi- instrumentalist wowed the audience with traditional blues covers , original recordings that mixed blues with a folk style that he quite rightly stated- blues was a door that opened him up to other music , and for good measure we had a couple of Bob Dylan cover’s and the audience joining in on ” Lay lady lay” sheer magic Guy was well supported by local authentic blues afficionado’s Scott and Michael from the King Bees . Two other surprise JHC connections were made too – it’s 20 years since Graham brought him to Newcastle and Guy shares a birthday with the dabber jhc photographer & this reviewer Juan Fitzgerald (12th May) ….. another brilliant night of music.