Blues in Britain reviews ‘Using the Power’

Thanks to Pete Clack for the review in the January 2021 issue of the superb Blues in Britain magazine.

The Verdict from Blues Matters!

Delighted with the review by Yvette Jenkins in the Dec/Jan 2021 issue of the excellent Blues Matters! magazine. Incidentally, Yvette presents a great blues show; have a listen at https://www.mixcloud.com/YvetteYLJMedia/

 

 

George Newsome

This is George Newsome a man who knows his blues and the man who played drums for the Climax Chicago Blues Band and Climax Chicago. Thanks to George for his fascinating recollections of playing with the band from its formation and through its formative years. George can also be heard playing alongside fellow ‘Climax-er’ Anton Farmer on Rocket 88’s excellent new album with all proceeds going to charity.

Neil Kirby – Who is that Masked Man?

Never throw anything out; you never know when you might need it. I owe a big thank you to Neil Kirby, former lighting and instrument tech with the band from 1975-1980. It was thanks to Neil that some amazing items were able to go into the book. Here’s Neil wearing sensible facewear and sitting on his Cajón!

Anton Farmer

This dapper gentleman is Anton Farmer, former keyboards player with the Climax Chicago Blues Band and Climax Chicago 1970-71. Anton and his band Rocket 88, in which, coincidentally, he is joined by former Climax drummer, George Newsome, have released a superb new album called The Brickbank Wood Sessions. Highly recommended! And it’s in aid of Music Against Cancer: visit Anton’s page at https://www.facebook.com/Music-Against-Cancer-610843322346511

Meantime, sincere thanks, Anton, for all your help with Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History.

Tony Brinsley

Thanks to Tony Brinsley for his contributions to Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History. Tony acted as tour manager and later as manager of the band from 1973 to 1982.

Richard Jones

Thanks to Richard Jones for his contributions to Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History and who played bass guitar and keyboards for the Climax Chicago Blues Band between 1968-69 and keyboards 1975-77.

Derek Holt

This is Derek Holt, bassist and keyboards-player with Climax Chicago Blues Band, Climax Chicago and Climax Blues Band from 1968 to 1982 and at points beyond. In May 2016 I contacted Derek with the idea of writing a book on the history of the Climax Blues Band to commemorate the impending 50th anniversary of the release of the band’s debut album in 1969. From the start Derek supported and encouraged the project and made available his own memoirs and considerable archive, as did his bandmates and associates. So began an amazing journey which culminated in the book Derek holds in the photo and which is now available. My thanks to Derek and the other band members, management, technicians, producers, engineers, sleeve designers, family and friends who contributed and made the book possible. This is the first in what I hope will be an occasional gallery of the people who ‘were there’, who kindly contributed and whose stories are told in the first volume of Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History.