with special guest act
Joe Kelly and the Royal Pharmacy (Trio)
Sunday night music on the 10th November 2024 at Brecon Tap, arranged by the Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues Club.
Joe and his fellow musicians have played various venues in the town, and I have had the privilege of seeing him with a full band, performing on his own, and tonight for the first time, as a trio, with keyboard, electric guitar and Joe himself on acoustic guitar and Lead vocals.
I would say that Chris Vinnicombe, to a great degree, defines the sound of the band, with his tasteful echoing vibrato guitar approach, to the well-crafted songs of Joe Kelly.
I hadn’t seen Jon Greening on keyboards with the band before, but you could see his passion for all the songs coming through, with his thoughtful playing.
Joe as usual had his great voice, flashy cowboy boots, and a bagful of original songs to charm the listeners, and their sweet three-part harmonies created a sound unique to the band.
Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo
Before moving on to their last gig in Brixham, during a 14-gig tour of Spain/Britain, Erin Harpe and her husband Jim Countryman gave us an absorbing evening of true acoustic guitar country blues.
This was defined by Erin’s precise percussive finger picking style and her amazing vocal range.
With songs like Rolling and Tumbling, What’s the Matter with the Mill, Casey Jones and Memphis Minnie’s Won’t You be My Chauffer. I particularly remember how I was drawn to the song All Night Long, an Erin Harpe original.
I sat all evening hands and feet tapping, mesmerised by the musicality and obvious passion for her art and the enthusiastic ukulele bass backing of her husband, Jim Countryman.
PA set up and run by club members Graham Strangward & Angus Kings.
Review by local Bluesman Paul Keddle (CALLING CARD) & images by local musician Jan Hurst (ENW).
https://www.joekellyofficial.com
