Gig Review: Bulls Head (Barnes)
by Jerome Marcus on Apr.17, 2009, under Station House
Sam Kelly’s Station House
Stormy Monday Blues, The Bulls Head (Barnes)
London SW13.
The legendary music venue was packed for the debut of the new line-up of Station House.
the band was created to host the regular session at the Station Tavern, in Bramley Road London W10, on Sunday afternoons. Drummer Sam Kelly is the only constant. Bass player and singer Spy is the second longest serving member followed by keyboard and singer Paul Jobson.Now Tony Qunta has replaced T.J.Johnson on guitar and Jerome Marcus has stepped up on percussion, following in the footsteps of Root Jackson.
The music was full on funk,whatever the song, and inevitably very percussive. After the instrumental “Revelation” Spy led the vocals on several numbers: “Treat a dog”, “More than one way home” and “Bad is Bad”. Then he sang “Use Me” and the excellent “People say” with Paul, the others providing backing vocals as required. Tony stepped up to sing on “Lovely Day” and ” The Thrill As Gone” in a light tenor voice. Spy and Paul split vocals duties for the remainder, the latter singing the night’s theme song “Stormy Monday”.
All the players took turns with excellent solos, none of them too long. This is definitely an instrumental band with vocals rather than a singer’s band with backing musicians. The evening flew by and the 11pm curfew came all too soon. I look forward to seeing them again.
Photos & Review – Fran Leslie (Blues in Britain)