Dave and I visited the Hope Tavern (Holton Le Moor) Sunday afternoon blues session. This can be a very hit and miss event and despite reviewing bands on YouTube before agreeing to go, some bands don’t live up to their YouTube performances.
The Hope Tavern isn’t a pub I’d normally go into – it’s a bit run down and tatty round the edges however it is perfect for a blues venue. In years gone by, before the smoking ban, I can imagine a waft of cannabis smoke drifting around the bar.
Split Whiskers turned out to be a great choice. They played some very good blues including delta blues and they were all excellent musicians and loved what they were doing. The rhythm section, bass and drummer kept it all together, the keyboard player had some brilliant jazzy sets, vocalist and harmonica man led from the front and the lead guitarist was the star of the night. Unusually the pub wasn’t full, normally it’s standing room only but not this time so there was plenty of leg room and we were close to the front. It wouldn’t be a good gig if you didn’t come away with ringing ears and mine are still ringing the following day – or is that my usual tinnitus?
