marksc Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Mick Ralphs Blues Band live at The Greystones Greystones Rd, Sheffield, S11 7BS Tuesday 17th December 2013 Mick Ralphs is one of Britain’s finest and probably most understated blues/rock guitarists whose career path spans almost 5 decades. Initially honing his skills with The Buddies and The Doc Thomas Group through the 60’s, Ralphs hit notoriety in the early 70’s as guitarist and co-writer with punk predecessors Mott The Hoople whose critically acclaimed works created them ardent fan bases both sides of the Atlantic. It was however Ralphs’ chance meeting with the singer of a then support band to Mott The Hoople; (Peace) that propelled him to the upper stratosphere of music stardom in the form of Bad Company. Whilst most people will instantly associate the name Paul Rodgers with Bad Company, be under no illusion; Mick Ralphs co-founded this super group with Rodgers and is responsible for penning a string of hits; Ready for Love, Moving On, Can’t Get Enough, Feel Like Making Love, Don’t Let Me Down and Seagull to mention but a few. Signed in the states to Zeppelins label Swan Song and under the watchful eye of legendary manager Peter Grant, Bad Company’s career spanned over a decade and saw a string of albums produced up to 1984. Since then Ralphs has worked with an innumerate amount of people and has recently moved on to do exactly what he loves and does best; the blues. The Mick Ralphs Blues band was born of a jam and you can tell. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way, to the contrary, they are as tight as a mouse’s ear but play with a freedom and spontaneity that is only spawned from jam sessions. Relaxed, playful but always on the money these guys are all exponents of their respective arts and there quite literally is no substitute for years and years of experience and playing. Don’t get me wrong I love the raw, brash naivety of young bands smashing it out but there is something reassuringly comforting about listening to seasoned professionals do what they have always done. Effortless. Son Maxwell is as good a front man as you could wish for, his voice born for blues and complemented by some skillful harmonica playing. Sam Kelly (drums) and Dick Baldwin (bass) provide a solid back line and Ralphs is supported and more importantly complemented by Jim Maving on guitar. Maving is an astonishingly proficient guitarist and the winks and nods that pass between him and Ralphs as they exchange solos is again testament to their professionalism and jam like approach to playing the set. That said, it is undoubtedly Ralphs who steals the show, the effortlessness of his playing and the fact that he finds no need to play more than the minimum of notes phrased to perfection just has to be admired. The capacity audience were indulged with a mix of classic blues, Ralphs own compositions and of course the co-written Bad Company classics Can’t Get Enough and Feel Like Making Love, which quite literally blew the roof off. He is without doubt a true legend and pioneer of British rock and blues and as he rolls on towards his seventies shows no sign of abating his enthusiasm or love of the guitar and blues music. Men like this are few and far between these days and you won’t always get an opportunity to experience them first hand, so my advice is take the opportunity while you can. (Review from Realtime Live – Friday 1st February 2013 by Rob Goodwin) Special guests for this date only are Sheffield's own M & J Blues Tickets are £13.00 (advance) and are available from: Venue: daily til 6pm Online: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/235071 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pb63 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I saw him with Mott the Hoople last night, great player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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