One of several star performers this week at the LBJ was our much loved and highly efficient barmaid Ann, who single-handedly laid out the tables and chairs before any of us arrived - pleasantly unexpected, but I do hope she doesn’t make a habit of it each week because they are heavy …and awkward too, but thank you Ann, you are amazing!

Amazing performance also from our two houseband guests Martin Fieber and Steve Taylor (50% of The Customtones) who didn’t seem to be too fazed by some ‘orrible noises during the first part of their opening set. After much jiggling around by our MC Mike Dearing, a blown monitor speaker proved to be the culprit. Thankfully, Mike produced a replacement monitor from somewhere out of his magic hat.

Despite the annoying disruption, Martin, Steve and the houseband still managed to perform seven numbers in the opening set which included quite a few of Martin Fieber’s own compositions: “Twangin’ The Blues”, “Old Enough To Know Better”, “I Keep Guessing”, “If You’re Gonna Do It” and an instrumental dedicated to his good friend eponymously titled “Barney’s Bounce”. Just as I thought we had played our last number, Martin began the intro to another of his own instrumentals, “Brassfinger”, which did finally bring the opening set to an end.

Just two numbers from Martin, Steve and Co at the end of the night - “Can’t Be Satisfied” and the almost obligatory “Sleepwalk” – and by that time, we few remainers were ready for a good night’s sleep after a very lively and eventful night. Our thanks as always to Martin Fieber and jet-hopping Steve Taylor. The next stop for The Customtones will be at Broomfield Park on August 11th.

At last… we had a bass-player’s name on the signing-in sheet, in the shape of Malcolm Benson. Not only pleased to see him but also pleased to see Alan Vincent accompanying him – in actual fact, we had two bass-players, but good to see Alan armed with a guitar too!

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was to see guitar+vocalist Martin Matthews, who I hadn’t seen for such a long time – a very welcome sight indeed. Interesting first number from Martin, who started as Willie Nelson’s “Night Life” and then morphed into “Need Your Love So Bad”. Another great surprise was to see guitarist Tom providing us with three vocal numbers, the first number going Country with “Big River” followed by “Catfish Blues” and “Vampire Blues” – three great efforts. Hope to hear Tom vocalising more often.

The one big disappointment was seeing our American friend Craig leaving earlier than expected. Craig had previously phone me to say that he would be here this week, but regrettably he didn’t tell me he needed to leave early. Had we had known, we would’ve surely put him on stage much earlier. However, he did say how much he enjoyed the jam and would definitely return on his next visit to London – I surely hope so!

That one big disappointment certainly didn’t cloud another eventful night rich with entertainment. Not only did Martin Fieber and Steve Taylor provided us with great sets, our loyal jammers performed outstandingly too. Time to call…

The Roll Of Honour:

• Guitar+Vocals - Billy Sharpe, Martin Matthews, Dave Richards, Steve Hillan, Tom and Mike Dearing
• Guitar - Alan Vincent, Kevin Molyneux, Richard Stenhouse and Chris Greene
• Lap-Steel - Luke Lamnea
• Harp - Ned Phillips
• Keys - Steve Taylor
• Sax - Peter Harvie
• Bass - Malcolm Benson, Steve Taylor, Richard Stenhouse, Alan Vincent and Terry Duggan
• Drums - John Ward, Marc Turner and Phil Overhead

With thanks to our Webmaster Ken Cumberlidge, this week’s fresh batch of mp3s will soon be uploaded. Peter Harvie’s fresh batch of photos can be enjoyed on Our Facebook page. Last but not least, all six jam sets were carefully arranged by Queen Bee Vera.

Next time at Leytonstone Blues Jam:
Next week, our MC Mike Dearing will put together a short set-list for just the houseband with possibly one or two of our regular jammers invited. Please arrive early and grab a seat.

Something for the weekend:
Our resident houseband drummer Phil Overhead has now moved his well-supported Blues jam from The Princess Alexandra pub to The Priory Pub, 169 Priory Road, N8 8NB, to be continued every Thursday – well worth a visit!

Blues night continues at The Southgate Club this coming Friday 26th when their featured band will be local heroes “Low Down Dogs”, supported by “Big Alan Craig”. 8.00pm – 11.30pm - for further details, check out www.stharmonicas.co.uk

On Saturday 27th at The Manor Arms, 150 East India Dock Road, E14 0BP, the multi-talented John Parry will be giving another great performance as guest of Ronnie Collins’ Last Project. There’ll be much to enjoy at this crazy but very friendly little pub 3.00pm-6.00pm, please use beer-garden entrance after 3.00pm. No charge at the door.

Thanking All Our Jammers & Listeners,