The Dirt Road Band at the Arches. Midsummer madness (fun in the sun)
by Pete Clemons
Line up
STEVE WALWYN (Guitar/Voc)
Dr Feelgood, The DTs, Chevy, Steve Marriott, Roger Chapman, Eddie and The Hot Rods, Red on Red
HORACE PANTER (Bass)
The Specials - Number One Hit `Ghost Town`
TED DUGGAN (Drums) Banco De Gaia,
Badfinger, The Beat, The Selecter, Desmond Dekker, Chevy, Red on Red, The Drifters.
This is not so much a review of the gig. I have done that on previous articles and do not want to simply repeat that process. This time I have just focussed on a few of the amazing songs they played.
The blues is both a musical form and genre. It gets its name from its original association with melancholic subjects and sounds. For example when we have the blues we are, in general, feeling sad. However the blues, as a genre, has developed to addressed other subjects and emotions. It has also adopting a wider purpose of chasing away those blues away using music as the tonic.
Historically, as the blues developed, it encouraged a series of sub genres to develop including blues rock and country blues. Further, the blues can be defined by their development in certain a place such as Chicago Blues and Delta Blues.
In their quest to develop a rarefied set list all these areas appear to have been explored. The obvious example is the song where the Dirt Road Band get their band name from. Charlie Patton and his Down the Dirt Road Blues. DRB have taken this song, sprinkled their unique ingredients, and given it, and many others, a complete overhaul. Delivering them in a fashion that boosts, enhances electrifies and with a touch of venom.
Goodness knows when Down the Dirt Road Blues was written but according to the archives it was recorded during sessions during June 1929. It is a really interesting track as it contains fascinating use of different rhythms. You do wonder, given the tools available during the 1920s just how Charlie got to beat his guitar and play it at the same time. The lyrics on the original tune are difficult to decipher. But someone has had a stab at it and those appear to be the ones adopted.
Farther on up the Road or Further on up the Road was believed to have been written by Joe Veasey. It was sold to Duke Records whose owner took a share of the song writing credits. But it was during 1957 when first recorded by Bobby Bland. Covered by many artists it features guitar playing that represents the transition from 1940s blues playing to the heavier blues rock style of the 1960s. Personally I absolutely love the Roy Buchanan version.
Laundromat was the opening track from Rory Gallagher's self titled debut album. It quickly became a firm favourite and a staple of his live shows. The song also appeared on a number of live albums. Laundromat was written during the period between Gallagher leaving his band Taste and going solo - so to speak. It was inspired, by all accounts, by a public laundromat in Earls Court close to a bedsit he was in at the time.
Credit to for support band the James Oliver Band. Growing up I remember we had a sideboard sized gramophone. A lot of their set contained tunes from those days. As such they stirred the soul several times bringing back many happy memories. Accelerated versions of Wipe Out, Roxette, Walk Don't Run, Misirlou were dispatched rapid fashion.
Dua Lipa from Glastonbury or The Dirt Road Band at the Arches. A tough but on reflection no competition.
STEVE WALWYN (Guitar/Voc)
Dr Feelgood, The DTs, Chevy, Steve Marriott, Roger Chapman, Eddie and The Hot Rods, Red on Red
HORACE PANTER (Bass)
The Specials - Number One Hit `Ghost Town`
TED DUGGAN (Drums) Banco De Gaia,
Badfinger, The Beat, The Selecter, Desmond Dekker, Chevy, Red on Red, The Drifters.
Great rewiev! Brilliant band!!!
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