Multi Award winning Blues guitarist & singer Laurence Jones rocked up to The Jam House in Birmingham, in the city where he had studied at Music College, and thoroughly wowed the appreciative audience.
After the support acts of Birmingham local acoustic blues singer/guitarist Ben Drummond and Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra from Ireland who had warmed up the crowds, Laurence took to the stage. The band line-up was Laurence Jones (guitar & vocals), Jack Alexander Timmis (bass) & Alan Taylor (drums).
Living for many years in South Warwickshire this was a key gig for Laurence with many locals attending along with Blue*NatioN guitarist/singer Neil Murdock, and even a fan from The Netherlands.
Laurence used the live performance, which was one of his final dates on his ‘Bad Luck & The Blues’ tour, to play extended and improvised versions of his songs. He kicked off with ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ which is one of his classics which is regularly included with its powerful vocals and guitar breaks.
During this gig Laurence showed why he is regarded as a top blues guitarist with his many great blues guitar passages, all the while being backed in his heavy rock trio with his rhythm section of Jack on bass and Alan on drums. He thrives off the interaction and energy of the audiences he plays to and this evening was no exception.
From his ‘Bad Luck & The Blues’ album he played ‘Lost & Broken’ in its extended version with great blues guitar and ‘Don’t You Leave Me This Way’ with its great rock blues vocals backed by great bass and heavy drums, with great blues guitar break.
Another track regularly featuring in his sets was the first track he ever wrote ‘Thunder in the Sky’ which has repeatedly been voted by his fans as their favourite track with its soaring guitars and vocals to its slower but powerful tempo.
In a homage to one of his favourite guitarists Jimi Hendrix he again featured ‘Voodoo Child’ which had the special LJ treatment with its wailing guitar and matching vocals.
He finished his set with ‘Women’ with the crowds clapping in rhythm and ‘Stuck in the Night’ with its heavy blues/rock sound. After great applause Laurence returned to play as an encore ‘Foolin’ Me’.
