Blues Matters November 2002
The John O'Leary Band at Abbey Mills
Festival 24th August 2002
Nestled away in the hinterland of South
Wimbledon and close to Sainsbury's Sava Centre is a clutch of
buildings known as Merton Abbey Mills.....Each year British blues
veteran Bob Brunning - looking more like a University lecturer each
time I see him - puts together a relaxed local Blues Festival in this
setting and as an unwinder after a hards week's work, this collects
the custard cream.
The listed acts this year included
Marcus Malone, Brunning's Deluxe Blues Band, Earl Gaines, Charles
Walker.....I'm here to catch John O'Leary but he
attempts to confuse me by having lost his beard and changed his hair
style! With Germany's finest Joachim Greve on drums, Lol
Sanford on guitar, big Dave hadley from Philadelphia on (very)
electric bass and Malcolm Bruce on piano, John's first blast on
harmonica confirms his identity. I've said before that O'Leary's sound
is very akin to the classic Chicago recordings on Delmark (i.e Junior
Wells)and this is at the core of what he plays and sings.
Clearly proud of his line-up, John encourages them all to solo in a
relaxed set of standards taking in "Black Cat Bone","
19 Years Old" and a wrap up "Last Night's Dream/Lonesome
Road" in which Hadley persuades early Fleetwood Mac bassist Bob
Brunning to take the stand. A little play safe on number choice
for this admittedly brief slot, but John really does have his sound
in the pocket and the whole band shines. The highlight for me was the
occasional piano excursion by Malcolm Bruce, who throws in Monk-like
cadences and complementary chord runs, happily playing across time
with sparky confidence and then hitting the chord changes with the
ensemble. Pretty damn neat and dad Jack (Bruce) would be
proud........Pete Sargeant