The scene-a balmy summer’s evening at a renowned riverside hostelry that boasts the smallest concert hall in London (with probably the best acoustics),on stage three very talented musicians playing a selection of classic Blues and self penned compositions.
The group Tom Nolan and The Bluescasters feature Tom Nolan guitar /vocals, Rick Biddulph Bass/12 string guitar, and Chris Hunt Drums.
Tom is well known for his tasteful mix of slide and lead /rhythm guitar playing constantly compared in very favourable terms with the esteemed George Thorogood, Rick proves his mastery on both bass and indeed 12 string, and the group is anchored by “the drummer’s drummer” Chris Hunt who has parked his drum stool with such luminaries as the late great Lonnie Donegan, Joe Brown’s Bruvvers and Dana Gillespie.
It is however not just their fusion of talents but their obvious enjoyment in playing that comes across to the audience and gets the room buzzing from the first number.
Hitting the ground running with Chuck Berry’s “Talking about you”, Tom exhibits his unique lead/rhythm style that has had him designated as the British George Thorogood, while next up Willie Dixon’s “Can’t judge a book” provides Chris Hunt with a blank canvas to embellish the famous Diddley beat with his own excellent syncopations, a tasteful reading of Muddy Water’s “Can’t be satisfied “gives Tom a chance to shine on slide as does John Lee Hooker’s “Crawling King Snake”.
Highlight of the night for me was a stark arrangement of Robert Johnson’s “Love in vain” with Rick trading his Bass for a 12 string, and Tom enhancing the solos mixing lead and slide. As Tom said on the numbers conclusion “that was nice wasn’t it”-certainly was. “Rollin and Tumblin” left the room in no doubt about the quality of the rhythm section with powerhouse drumming and punctuating bass making a perfect backdrop for Tom’s searing guitar work. Appropriately the band finished up with George Thorogood’s “Get a haircut” but were prevailed upon for an encore where a slow, quiet and very tasty classic rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Things I used to do” made a perfect end to the evening.
The verdict-weather hot, music hot, band-what a scorcher.
George McFall