Best of British Blues

Paul Jones' maverick musicians play at Arlington Arts

On Friday, June 10 Paul Jones, Tom McGuinness, Dave Kelly, Rob Townsend and Gary Fletcher come together to perform at Arlington Arts. Collectively well known as The Blues Band, they were already held in admiration by generations of rhythm & blues fans when they formed in 1979. More than 16 albums later they continue to add to their growing army of followers, and it's not unheard of to find three generations from the same family at a gig.

The band are today acknowledged throughout Europe and beyond as being among the very finest purveyors of rhythm & blues all with only a modicum of help from the record business – as Gary's oft quoted comment states "the music industry doesn't bother us and we don't bother them."

This independent streak goes right back to their early days when in an unusual move the band "bootlegged" their own first album – certain copies of which are now collector's items. The ‘bootlegging' came about because, having recorded their first album, the so called ‘major label' which was to release it changed their minds and the band didn't have the cash to pay the studio bill. So they got 1000 copies pressed up, mastered from a copy tape that they had, signed the plain white numbered sleeves and sold them at gigs and via mail order etc. Only then did another ‘major label' pick up the album and release it widely.

Such successful musical mavericks are fairly rare and are born more from word-of-mouth than promotional hype. Either way they still have to cut the mustard. As an all seated show at Arlington Arts, this will be among the most intimate show they will play these days. Tickets, priced £21 are available from the box office on 01635 244246 or online via www.arlingtonarts.co.uk