Various

An Evening With Paul Jones & Dave Kelly Volume Two

BY Eric ThomPublished Oct 23, 2008

Not sure what happened with Volume One but this 80-minute show is a great complement to SPV’s recent Live at the Ram Jam Club CD issued a short time ago. Paul Jones and Dave Kelly are both long-time members of Britain’s the Blues Band, who started big with separate careers (Jones was once vocalist with Manfred Mann; Kelly, a time-honoured singer and slide guitarist who has played with the greats) and are, with this tasteful collection of a dozen blues classics (including a few originals), finishing nicely. Kelly works considerable magic on acoustic six- and 12-string, while Jones concentrates on harp. Both take turns on lead vocals, treating each chestnut with the utmost reverence, often embellishing each with a side story and/or a smile. The audience’s respect for this pair is audible, making for enjoyable listening. Covering tracks by Big Bill Broonzy. Sleepy John Estes and Willie McTell, Kelly’s lead on Blind Lemon Jefferson’s "See that my Grave is Kept Clean” gives it a loving nudge, as Jones’s harp drives home its lonely perspective. Jones, often voted Britain’s Best Blues Vocalist, adds much chemistry to this set. Both players are clearly friends doing something they love doing. The audience takes home the interest.
(SPV/Blue)

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