Clarkesville Mountain Band, Roll The Dice At Joe Joe Jim's

A quick dash to Rednal on Sunday afternoon, and into Fletchers Amusement Arcade, to find over 100 others already spread around slot machines, tables and front of stage, gathered for Joe Joe Jim’s gig. On stage, the trio that is the Clarkesville Mountain Band, an acoustic collective, Richard Heath, Steve Layton, and Pete Dunn, armed with mandolin, acoustic guitar, and bass. Lying to hand were, Uke’s and washboard, which were destined to launch an assault soon enough.

The bands style is to select a multiplicity of well loved songs, and throw it in our faces, spewed out a bluegrass mincer. Nothing was sacred, from the Rolling Stones to Bob Marley, Johnny Cash to Ronnie Lane, ‘How Come’, because its bloody good fun, and the assembled gang of fans did not hold back, it was going to be an interesting afternoon.  

‘Folsom Prison Blues’, seemed tailor made for this band, Richard, singing those familiar Cash lyrics, Steve’s guitar, driving the song along. The Beatles, ‘Lady Madonna’, took a clattering, thimbled fingers rattling down the washboard, slung around Rich’s neck, Pete’s rich bass ever present.

An amazingly strong response from the crowd, ‘You Are My Sunshine’ found the ladies in fine voice, but unusually, the men were not to be outdone, no mumbled mess here, it was a rich tenor and baritone response, that threatened to rattle the coins off the shuffle shelves, of the roll a penny machines. ‘How Come’, anybodies guess, it was just a lovely Sunday, fun afternoon, what more could you want before the Monday morning blues kick in. U2 flashed bye, Chuck’s, ‘Memphis Tennessee’, pumped out, as we rode the carousel towards the close.

Rich looked Steve in the eye, he struck a few chords on his mandolin, Steve looked cool, as he had all afternoon, unphased by the challenge, Cords were swapped, the mandolin tripping and stumbling its response as the pieces of the puzzle became trickier, the familiar fencing chords of duelling banjo’s were given deliverance, and the game worked its way into overload. There is no questioning the implied talent and quality of Steve Layton’s guitar playing, and Richard was doomed to failure…...eventually, but it was fabulous fun, and the audience exploded into a standing ovation.

Look out for The Clarkesville Mountain Band, they perform throughout the area, and your guaranteed an entertaining session.

  Fothcoming Gigs;

05th April, OSCA Arts Centre, Atherstone

21st April, The Chestnut, Worcester

27th April, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham’s

26th May, Alestone’s, Tardebigge, Redditch

31st May The Bush, St Johns, Worcester

8th June, The Pavillion, Birmingham’s

6th July Joe Joe Jim’s, Rednal, Birmingham’s

20th July, Cross Keys, Malvern

9th August, The Wheatsheaf, Frankwell, Shrewsbury

17th August, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham’s

Drifter, Celebrating Bob’s Birthday at Joe Joe Jim’s

A rammed Joe Joe Jim’s in Rednal, were here for the celebration of Bob Marley’s Birthday, he would have been 74 today Feb 6th. Drifter, probably better known for their blues and melding of genre, planned a full reggae set, except, percussionist/vocalist Dave Small, was somewhat adrift. He’d been picked up in Stanstead, following a Matt Woosey tour in Germany. Two buses, two trains, and a flight, nearly 12 hours travel, and he walked in, just on time, to find Danny G set up and ready for him. Our thanks must go to proprietor Jim, who had sent a car to pick him up.

A beer and bit of spirit, and Drifter were ready to ease in, Dave would have to loosen up, on the move.

Drifter is an extract of Arcadia Roots, and much of their music, is heavily influenced by Marley’s music, so we were soon into that infectious rhythm. A couple of songs in, and Dave is relaxing into the evening after his travel turmoil's, the duo turning to familiar territory with the reggae rooted, ‘Never Have To Worry’, Danny on his trusty Dobro, and Dave, sat astride his cahon, turning to the djembe, given extra bottom end umph, by the proximity of a drum mic. A few ripples of movement, as hips started moving, feet tapping, the Marley mob, enjoying the unmistakable groove. ‘Exodus’, followed, pure Marley magic, movement of the people, and so it was. The dynamic duo, slipped in a Lee Scratch Perry, ‘Iron Shirt’, worn with pride, and polished to perfection, the song was driven on, riding out the rhythm to chase out the devil, brilliant, enticing the first few ladies to make their move. The Arcadia Roots favourite, ‘Fussin’  n Fightin’, kept them on the move, oh to not have such creaky joints, and a bit more ‘front’! Everyone was drawn into chorusing the anthemic, ‘Redemption Song’, Dave pulling the gang with him.

A short break, welcomed I’m sure, by Dave, before he stepped back up with Danny, and set up a superbly expanded equation, 54-46, the floor space filled with moving bodies, to this Toots And The Maytals, ska corker, which originally featured Jeff Beck on the recording back in ‘68. Toots of coarse, smoking his way into a term of imprisonment. Such is the roots of Reggae, and who would change that essential element to such a dynamic, hypnotic genre.

For me, the clock was whirring round too quickly, sadly sticking with the caffeine for a drive home, but Joe Joe Jim’s, had delivered in style through the sweet throbbing sounds from Drifter. Sam Cooke got a quick look in with a reworked, ‘Stand By Me’, before I drifted away, to the closing sounds of an absolute classic, ‘No Woman No Cry’, a fabulous song, brought to mind once more, by a resplendent Drifter. 

Arcadia Roots Rocks Arcade

Drawn back once more to the Vegas atmosphere of Fletchers in Rednal, with Joe Joe Jim’s hosting that engaging mesmerising music of Arcadia Roots. Am I getting a gambling habit, no, but I appreciate a live venue, show boating some excellent bands, and easily accessed. I’ve mentioned the food before, but I’ll do it once more, they have fresh made Pizza’s, and a variety of Hot Dogs available from their kitchen. As a veggie, no comment on the Dogs, but the Pizza’s tick the box for me.

So you’ve rolled a few coppers down the slots, twisted an arm or two maybe, picked your ale, and your ready for the buzz that always accompanies Arcadia roots. Dave Small on percussion and vocals, Danny Gauden on guitar, Tom Callinswood, guitar, cigar box, and hair, and Josh Terry, on a brooding, bombing bass, kick off with the Reggae ripped rhythm of ‘Where You Gonna Run To’.Dave on his djembe, as Arcadia Roots create that intoxicating atmosphere, which seems to fit so well in Joe Joe Jim’s, as fans and newbies pack in around the tangle of slot machines. ‘Help Me Out’, sees Tom switch to cigar box guitar, and Dave is giving some stick to drums and djembe. Danny and Josh feeding the rootstock.

Led Zeps, ‘Whole Lotta Love’, gets saucy with a spicy coat of Levi Roots Reggae Reggae. A ‘new’, ‘Take Me Higher’, brings the dual percussive strike, of Tom, joining Dave on drums and djembe, beating up the rhythm over the heavy bass rumble and Danny’s guitar. They switch position for a fully grounded, ‘Gravity’, Danny opens up with dirty guitar chords, heavy bass from Josh underpins the fusillade of percussive strikes, from the bombastic duo up front, everyone drunk on the rhythmic mayhem. Big corporations and greedy money makers are attacked in the fabulous Grove of, ‘Backstabber’,as everyone goes, ‘Searching’ in the glow of neons and slot machines as the lights are killed.

Danny’s guitar launches, ‘Big Man’, Dave’s vocals fill the air, Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love;, gets stripped from its reggae root, for a soulful workover, I must be ‘Losing My Mind’, as Tom gets busy on his Fender, opposite Danny’s electro-acoustic Gretsch, it trips, and steps on to the close, leaving Josh standing tall. Big bass booms out for, ‘Exodus’, not time to abandon JJJ’s yet though, as Danny gets down and dirty booting off a medley of entangled songs, ‘Save Me’, just time to dig deep to find the ‘Soul Of A Man’, seeking out the angel or the devil in me.

Arcadia Roots never fail to create an electric atmosphere in their gigs, whether a grungy pub bar or the splendid neon strip mini Vegas of Joe Joe Jim’s, Elvis stood stiffly by the bandits, making no comment, but probably thinking, better go back to Memphis, I can’t follow that!

The Matt Woosey Band, takes a slot at, Joe Joe Jim’s

A return to Joe Joe Jim’s, to catch Matt Woosey on the final day of his UK tour, before he returns to Germany, just leaving percussionist Dave Small behind. JJJ’s is embedded within Fletcher’s Amusement Arcade, in Rednal, just South of Brum, a sort of mini Vegas, complete with stage for the big live shows, not sure if you’ll find Elvis here, but he has been seen working at the chip shop across the park! Bandits, slot machines, pik’n’mix, crazy golf, sit alongside fresh pizza’s, hot dogs, a bar and coffee machine, pretty well everything you need for a wacky evening out, with live music, and side entertainment.

Matt was here, on JJJ’s inaugural Sunday afternoon session, his band is an Anglo Germanic mix, with Dave on drums, guitarist Ralph Kuker, guitar and keys, Michael Oertel, and bassist Lukas Steinmeier. They eased into Matt’s bedrock anchor, ‘Cruel Disposition’,with Dave adding harmonies. The superb, ‘Let It Flow’, drifted through, with Ralph adding an electric lead, weaving across Matt’s acoustic, and Michael’s rhythm. Its a deep groove, full of fast flowing currents and gentle eddy’s, that sets a high water mark.

Matt plays in a babbling crystal clean spring, Dave’s cymbals adding colour, before the band kicks in for, ‘Life Is But a Song’, written with his young son in mind. Its a long way from the gritty, bar room entertaining, ‘Same Old Blues’, with Michael moving to keys, to add an atmospheric edge to this bustling blues. Dave’s thumping out the rhythm, ably supported by Lukas’s rumbling bass, as tasty as a bratwurst, laced with English mustard! Talking of food, a break for a sourdough pizza, and beer, before a surprise unwrapped by Matt, Dolly Parton’s, ‘Jolene’, delivered slow and moody as a chocolate porter (that’s a beer). We’re taken a ride through some of Matt’s stalwart, full on, bluesy blockbusters, ‘Hook Line & Sinker, the bands on a roll, if it doesn't kill you, it doesn't mean it makes you strong, the brilliant, overindulgent, ‘I’ve Seen The Bottom’, pours out, a perfect reminder with the Christmas spirit already spilling over.

AND, you can’t have a Matt Woosey gig, solo, duo, or full band, without seeing, ‘Black Smoke Rising’, over the hill, another cracker to be pulled, that’s certain to go off with a bang, with a multi guitar driven band its outstanding, Dave punching in the percussion, over the smoking bass.

Time to turn to the more esoteric, and it comes in the form of the searching, ‘Lighthouse’, Michael’s back on the keys adding the organic matter to this eclectic invention. Matt recites the lines, a warning to all, the bass throbs, underneath, as Ralph’s guitar quacks out, its a remarkable weave that fuses jazz flecked inventions, flowing rhythms, and heady, spiritual, keyboard grooves, the more you hear, the more you want, the band make sure there’s plenty to feed off.

A complete change of direction to close the day, Matt’s take on ‘Lil’ Red Rooster’, its fun and games in the farm yard, for the strutting cock.

I had to catch up with the band, before the embarked on their 16 hour return drive, abandoning only a few Small things, to squeeze the kit into the van. It had been worth the effort, to catch the band, touting their new album, an excellent, ‘Live At Gallaghers Nest’.

Joe Joe Jim’s, 4th generation host, Joe (Joe Joe Jim Joe’s, doesn’t scan) is working hard to bring us ‘Live’ music, with more scheduled before the year is out, check his site for dates and bands.

http://www.joejoejims.co.uk/events/

and don’t forget to try one of those tasty pizza’s.

The Electric Blues Rebellion, Roll The Dice at Joe Joe Jims

I stumbled on this venue at Rednal, South of Birmingham, whilst looking to catch up with Matt Woosey and his band, before he returned to Germany. The listings unveiled a number of interesting bands, recently played and scheduled, amongst those, was Paul Bridgewater’s Electric Blues Rebellion. That was a good enough hook for me, I’d seen them support Sari Schorr, and now, they had their own slot, in this game arcade, cum music venue. Only their 3rd gig, but they know their craft, and I was expecting a good night.

The band already have an album, Setting Suns, tucked away, to ‘feed’ off, and would no doubt, be reworking some classic rock songs. A funked up, ‘World Gone Crazy’, powers up, Paul’s unmistakable voice, delivering lyrics that are so apt for these days, as we plunge into the abyss of European Politic, though the lyrics have the greater good in mind. Rhythm section is looked after by James on percussion and Jacqui on bass. Keys are in the dependable hands of Jarred, and Lee, pulls the strings on guitar. Having drained the gasoline, they decide, ‘We Gonna Move’, flavoured with the taste of New Orleans gumbo. Paul, in a more soulful mood pulls over into a ‘Lonesome Town’, where he finds Jarred, barrel rolling his piano, around the slot machines. Everyones thinking about pizza’s in the break, but not before a Slowburner rock edged, ‘Somebody’, with Jarred hard on the piano and Lee’s guitar flowing through, no time for Pual to take a breath as the band seamlessly slips to the galloping blues edged rocker, ‘Save It Up’, as Paul drags the mic stand about, fronting up to Jacqui on bass.

The excellent hand made, sour dough pizza’s, fresh from the oven, fill the gap, as the band take a well earned break, before they step back onto the stage, to blast out a storming, ‘Rock Me Baby’, dipping back into Paul’s Slowburner persona, before the sultry blues of, ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’, sears through the room. The band stretch and kneed it into there own bake of this classy song. James on drums has his moment to let rip, the cymbals flash in the light, careering crazily about as they’re caught between the rolling percussive thunder of the drums, he’s, ‘Got The Train’ as the band head toward’s their lovely slow blues of ‘Setting Sun’. Paul’s getting, ‘Hot ‘N Nasty’, spiky and swaggering, as we stumble forward into  a highly appropriate, ‘Tumbling Dice’, pulling the lever, the cylinders spin, lining up for the Stones cracker of a final spin for the Electric Blues Rebellion.

Joe Joe Jim’s, sits within Fletchers Amusement Arcade in Rednal, its a quirky setting for live music, but has a dedicated stage area, produced a fine sound Coffee and ales are readily available, along with some tasty options in their kitchen area. All this within the tangle of one armed bandits, slot machines, and crazy golf, zany, wonderful, and friendly, I look forward to returning for more live sessions, but it does need the fans to turn up and support an enthusiastic owners.

Check out their website, https://www.joejoejims.co.uk

for listings running up to the end of the year.