As the nation wallows in VE Day nostalgia the few who turned up at BM and A enjoyed recalling early 70’s rock when the burgeoning talent of Eric Bell became a founder member of the legendary Thin Lizzy. He was supported by the excellent Southern Rock Band.

Hailing from the East Lancashire Rossendale delta The Southern rock Band gave us flavours of Skynnard, a smattering of Allman and a soupçon of Creedence all thrown in. Their chunky rock vibes maintained a rock steady beat throughout their compelling set. Their version of country rock with softer rock blues riffs and smooth rolling bass provided the appreciative audience with a perfect warm up of the main act. Driving percussion despite an altercation with a ladder and sporting a bandaged nose worked well with strong clear soulful vocals of Tom, whose proud mother supervised the evening’s proceedings. Their musical prowess was heavenly displayed by their version of Allman Brother’s Jessica. Although they were moving on next day to play an early spot at the Ritz in Manchester they are deserving of a highlight spot somewhere.

Eric Bell is gladly a survivor of the 70’s rock scene when those steeped in it were treated to witnessing the rich veins of many styles of rock guitar hero. Amongst them was indeed Eric Bell. His stories of his efforts to form a band to display his unique guitar talents are now buried in rock lore. His story , fortunately did not end with his departure from thin Lizzy,

His tributes to other guitar legends, veteran blues pioneers and new material gleaned from his contemporary solo work filled an amazing setlist.

Without any introduction he took the stage sporting his faithful guitar which clearly has been through the mill but still he creates his unique sound with multiple guitar effects produced not by flashy pedals, just intricate finger work. As a a contemporary guitarist once said when asked why he did not use any pedals replied ‘I’m a guitarist not a cyclist’. The same statement could be applied and Eric is purely that and a proficient one to boot.

Beginning with a blues song everyone has covered Shake Your Money maker he immediately displayed his masterly licks producing faultless music from the first note to the last. Essentialy a bluesman through and through his version of Further On Up The Road ,famously covered by another Eric , he displayed his vocal adroitness too. Other blues standards came out too with a stomping Hooch Coochie Man in which his slide guitar skills hit notes so high you’d expect only the dogs could hear. In contrast he could be deeply resonant too. His singing showed that white men can not only play but feel the blues too.

Nobody would have expected reference to Johnny Kid and The Pirates but with a Mustang Sally feel he played a cover of his I Can Tell. In line with the support tonight he gave us some delta blues too, syncopating his vocals with his guitar work. This really was a magical session of masterful blues playing chunky riffs, distorted and deadened notes. The yearning blues of Gotta Say Bye Bye showed how tight his 3 piece band were, bluesy, jazzy and sometimes complex percussion from Matt Hewer and driving bass from Phil Smyth

His Irish links came out with tunes of Irish immigrants leaving home shores to find work in London replicated what the early Thin Lizzy had to do to broaden their fame, which came of course, with the instantly recognisable opening riff to Whiskey In The Jar , with which the audience responded with much glee and of course a photo opp.

A reminder of the influence of the Everly’s came with an arrangement of Rip It Up . This may have revealed his early influences but this rock n roller came with Eric’s unique trimmings.

This superb venue is a musical haven set in the shadow of the Rossendale hills, overseen by friendly maitre d’ Stuart, whose welcoming nature, and role as ticket checker and seat finder makes the whole musical experience of the venue run smoothly.

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