Features

You've got to hand it to Suffolk singer-songwriter Robert Brown, he's never lost his enthusiasm for gigging and this month is hosting a special evening at The Long Room, The Red Lion in Debenham.

It's on Saturday 17 May and he'll be joined by some good friends for what's being described as a rich musical feast. Robert, formerly known as Ian, spent much of 2007 travelling the length and breadth of the UK promoting his impressive acoustic album Falling From A Great Height.

He's already notched up several gigs this year too, spending much of his time in Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Hampshire (nice work if you can get it). Robert's been working on a new collection of songs under the project title of Ocean Of Stars.

The night before his Debenham gig Robert's playing at the Cambridge Folk Club and then in the summer he will be one of the club's guest performers at the Cambridge Folk Festival.

Matt Anderson

Matt Anderson

On the same night Robert Brown plays Debenham, the Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Anderson drops in to The Headgate Theatre in Colchester for the latest AcoustiCity evening.

The Headgate is small but beautifully formed, and an ideal venue for acts who love to go out unplugged. Matt hails from New Brunswick, and was in the UK last year on tour with Dave Gunning and Jessica Rhaye.

Their show at AcoustiCity was one of organiser James Hibbins' highlights of 2007, so he'll be looking forward to more of the Matt factor. At the time of writing Matt is about to release his eagerly awaited album Somewhere In Between which, I'm sure, will feature the usual quota of blues, rock and roots with Matt's soulful voice well to the fore.

Richard Durrant

Richard Durrant

One of my favourite guitarists is back in Suffolk on the same night as those gigs by Robert and Matt. He's Richard Durrant who has to be seen to be believed. Hats off to the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, who've re-booked Richard following his previous show there with bassist Herbie Flowers.

This time Richard is flying solo but close your eyes and you could be listening to a handful of musicians. Richard is a world class classical player who just loves dipping into other areas and he does so with great respect and humour.

His show, The Guitar Whisperer, will see him surrounded by gadgets and instruments and will showcase his DADGAD finger picking (fingerpicking guitar method). This is a must not miss show for anyone with an interest in guitar music, and after the concert I'll be hosting a talk with Richard to find out all about the man and his music. The concert will be recorded by BBC Radio Suffolk for future broadcast.

Busy times ahead

It'll be a busy weekend for me and my BBC colleague David Butcher. On Sunday May 18 we'll be taking BBC Radio Suffolk's ice cream van, I beg your pardon, the mobile recording unit to the Ipswich Jazz Club, where award winning harmonica man Paul Lamb will be performing with his King Snakes.

Paul Lamb

Back in the nineties London-based Paul was inducted into the Gallery of British Blues Greats, and is quite simply the best blues harp player this country has ever produced. Fans of Cyril Davies might have something to say about that, but I firmly believe there's been no one better on this side of the pond.

Back in the days of The Lion's Den in Ipswich Paul and the band pulled in big crowds, and I'm sure the California Club will be packed to the rafters for what will be BBC Radio Suffolk's eighth annual blues night collaboration with the Ipswich Jazz Club.

Joining Paul will be vocalist and rhythm guitarists Chad Strentz, drummer Sonny Below, bassist Rod Demick and Paul's son Ryan on lead guitar. There'll be plenty of whoopin' and hollerin' and that's just from the stage!

Tickets are £12 and it's worth reserving them by calling Dave Rutherford on 01473 231552. Take a look at the Ipswich Jazz Club web site by using the link on the right, for more details and news of other IJC gigs this year. 

Sweet as Honeyboy

Blues men don't come any older than David Honeyboy Edwards. Honeyboy was born in Shaw, Mississippi in June 1915, and I think I'm right in saying he is the last remaining link with the days of Robert Johnson.

He was present on the night Johnson died and there are some wonderful stories of that period and others in Honeyboy's autobiography The World Don't Owe Me Nothing.

David Honeyboy Edwards

Honeyboy's earliest recordings were made by folklorist Alan Lomax in 1942 during one of his many trips to the land where the blues began.

Incredibly Honeyboy is still recording, and his concert schedule shows no signs of letting up. He's at the Norwich Arts Centre on Tuesday 27 May for what promises to be an historic gig in the city.

Many much younger blues men have taken life a bit easier than Honeyboy, but at 92 years young his enthusiasm for the blues is still there for all to see and hear. Earlier this year he picked up a Grammy for his part on the Best Traditional Blues Album - Last Of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen, Live In Dallas and he recently released an album of his own called Roamin' And Ramblin. 

No prizes for guessing where I'll be on the last Tuesday of the month, it really would be rude not to.