Singing the blues (From St Helens Star)

Singing the blues

10:56am Thursday 4th December 2008

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PAUL Jones and Dave Kelly - the long standing co-vocalists with The Blues Band - will be bringing their individual brand of dynamic rootsy and exhilarating Country Blues to the Citadel this Friday (December 5).

Having formed in 1979 the duo’s capacity to play in both large and small venues has helped them build up a big following throughout Europe and beyond.

Singer and harmonica player Jones’ musical career took off as the frontman of 60s chart toppers Manfred Man with tracks like 5-4-3-2-1, Do Wah Diddy, Diddy and Pretty Flamingo.

He then left the band to pursue a solo career, before branching out into film and theatre acting.

In the past Jones has been voted top male vocalist by The British Blues Connection and in 1994 he was presented with a special award for ‘services to the blues’.

Apart from his live work with The Blues Band and The Manfreds, a group which re-unites members of Manfred Mann, Jones’s soulful harmonica has been called upon in recording sessions for Gerry Rafferty, Dave Edmunds and Katie Melua as well as numerous TV soundtracks.

His love of music is illustrated weekly with his presentation of BBC Radio 2’s Rhythm and Blues show and his Jazz FM programmes.

Meanwhile Dave Kelly's guitar and vocals forms the very backbone of The Blues Band's distinctive sound, having firmly establishing himself as one of Europe's premier blues performers. Kelly has jammed with the legendary Muddy Waters and toured with Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker.

Over the years he’s achieved many accolades for his guitar work and vocals and was voted Acoustic Artist of the Year in five times in 90s by the British Blues Connection. Kelly’s guitar can get you rocking, dreaming, and can even hit the tear ducts, playing his guitar and singing the blues the way he feels it.

So expect a spell binding evening of intense country blues, passionately performed at Waterloo Street venue tomorrow night. Tickets are priced £16 or £14 for concessions. Box Office: 01744 735436.

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