Guitarist, singer, songwriter and occasional harmonica player, Dave Thomas has a varied musical history, including playing in the prog-rock band Blonde On Blonde. Fortunately, he has recovered and, lately, has been providing backing for visiting US musicians at Shakedown Blues, in Castor. As he tells us in our interview, Dave is also involved in several recording projects, some with the Shakedown artists.

We have two e-letters this month, both about bands that have album launches this month. Chris Corcoran, the leader of The Chris Corcoran Trio, writes about the group’s new album Getaway and his playing and writing career to date. The album launch is on 3rd December at Pizza Express in Maidstone.

Paul Mallatratt writes about Tipping Point, the group started by Kevin Thorpe who died just as the band got going. Bass player Paul, drummer Nigel Lobley and guitarist and vocalist Dominic Hollands completed the album, with the aid of pianist Dale Storr. The album, named Antedote, will be launched at The Greyhound in Beeston, Notts, (rescheduled from The Boardwalk in Sheffield) on 2nd December.

Gigs are few and far between after Christmas, but there are some good ones coming up so check the Gig Guide, get out there and support the blues; if you can send in a review that will be even better. Thank you to all our reviewers and photographers, without whom there would be no magazine!

Fran Leslie

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One of the new generation of guitarists, Simon McBride, from Northern Ireland, has achieved acclaim with his first solo album. He played with a heavy metal band before joining Andrew Strong’s touring band but is now playing his own brand of rock-blues. Trevor Hodgett caught up with him for Blues In Britain.

Soul singer Earl Gaines is gracing our shores again this month. He will be touring with Catfish Kings. Earl telephoned in his piece from his home in Nashville.

Blues Sans Frontières is a project that has grown out of a collaboration between guitarist Robert Hokum and drummer Sam Kelly. The band comprises an eclectic mix of musicians including Mehboob Nadeem the sitar player and flautist Keith Waithe, from Guyana. The band is playing a rare gig at The Bush Hall in London W12, on 29th October, so Bob has sent in an email to tell us how it came about.

We are just catching up on reporting some of the many blues festivals that have taken place in the UK and Europe in the Summer. Thanks to all the writers and photographers who send in copy! We also have around 800 gigs in the Gig Guide. So much music, so little time! Get out there and enjoy it!

Fran Leslie

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