Jack J Hutchinson Band plus Arthur Buezo and Michael Parker

On a gloriously autumnal Sunday evening, we were treated to a rare triple-bill of exceptional artists at the Muse.

A much loved friend of the Club, Michael Parker opened up proceedings, with his trademark mixture of rhythmic blues and soulful songwriting.

Michael Parker

Starting off with some deliciously bluesy slide playing on ‘When the levee breaks’, he then swapped over to a wonderful old twin-necked ‘Jimmy Page’-style guitar which lent a lovely melodic and full-bodied sound to both his new song ‘On weathered sands’ and to his familiar favourite ‘Comanche rules’.

Michael Parker

Michael was on fine form tonight, and his stirring rendition of ‘Too much alcohol’ finished the set off with a powerful flourish.

Arthur Buezo

Arthur Buezo is certainly an artist like no other – he takes pride in being fundamentally true to himself, pounding out a rhythmic and rootsy musical style that is hard to compare to anything else we have ever heard in these parts. On songs like ‘Through the Night’ his voice becomes a husky roar to the accompaniment of a stomping rhythm on guitar and foot-percussion.

Arthur Buezo

You cannot help marvelling at his originality. It sounds as though he is pulling apart bits of Americana, folk, country, swamp blues and psychedelia… and sticking them back together in new and unexpected ways – never less than entertaining and eclectic. His driving virtuoso banjo playing delves further into the obscure roots of deep Americana, conjuring up an old-time atmosphere that is just slightly reminiscent of the likes of John Fahey and Robbie Basho – only with a rougher-hewn, more gritty and darker edge to his self-proclaimed “savage folk”. His successful tour of the UK is just drawing to a close, and we wish him safe travels back to the US, and hope to see him here again before too long.

After a short break it was time for the Jack J Hutchinson Band to shake the walls of the Muse, taking everybody’s breath away with their immense energy and drive.

The most immediate impression was the sheer power of the band, and the tightness of their musical skill. Phil Wilson on drums and Stephen Mildwater on bass were in their element, providing an exemplary rock-solid backing to Jack’s excellent singing and lead guitar.

Phil Wilson
Stephen Mildwater

Although having many of the characteristics of the classic “power trio” British blues-rock band, it soon became apparent that Jack’s songwriting occupies a subtly different, more modern and thoughtful zone. Songs such as ‘Gunslinger’ convey a more imaginative story line, and his tribute to his father ‘I will follow you’ was memorably poignant. Jack’s fluent and blistering guitar soloing was particularly impressive in the echo-laden ‘Road to Hell’.

Jack J Hutchinson

Perhaps the most impressive part of their set was the pairing of ‘The hammer falls’ and ‘Down by the river’ – both of which were incredibly intense, heavy rock-outs… crunching metallic guitar riffs were combined with complex and frenetic percussive rhythms, transporting many in the audience back to their misspent youths.

After a much deserved encore it was all over for another evening – and the audience wandered back out into the Brecon autumn night, perhaps a little dazed, and certainly impressed by the quality of these amazing musicians.

As ever, massive thanks not only to the bands, to everyone at the Muse, and to everyone else involved in organising this gig, but also to the audience for turning out on a Sunday night to support live music.

https://jackjhutchinsonmusic.com/
https://arthurbuezo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MikeParkerMusic/

Photos by Graham Strangward
Review by Jim Kerslake

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