I love the International Blues scene as well as the skilled French Blues men that I know. So I just wanted to share this gig experience with you. Eurostar to Paris is so easy peasy post-Brexit, and if you book in advance you can get some great deals. So when Phil Fernandez (aka Big Dez to me and you) posted recently on social media advance warning of a Paris gig with the US based Sax Gordon (the first date on their short French, German and Belgium tour), I just had to go! I also love the sax and wanted to hear how this dimension would add to Big Dez’s Blues sound.

Then I heard that The Mojo Twins, a Parisian based Blues Roots duo, were also opening the gig, therefore my anticipation and excitement scale ascended. Tonight's venue, The Sunset Sunside Jazz Club in Paris, consists of two floors with two stages, one on the ground floor and one downstairs in the cellar. Indeed, any gig there, on either floor, has a good atmosphere. And guess what, this specially combined gig was in the cellar. So, wherever you sat (it's good from the back too), you could experience an intimate environment, enveloped by its sound.

So I made my way there on the metro, and got there early after a days sightseeing! Sacre Coeur - magnifique! Montmartre - like a film set! The Pigalle district – sexy and edgy! And finally the Museum of European Photography in Le Marais - cosmopolitan and cool! The hardworking proprietor of the venue, Stephane Portet, kindly granted me front row seat A1, so I felt like UK Blues reviewer royalty. Indeed, in eager anticipation of two first class acts, there I stayed for both sets.

As expected, The Mojo Twins, comprising Gilles Gabisson on harmonica and Gerald Rodriquez on a fine Gretsch guitar and vocals, opened. If you like your raw, stripped down Blues played in the traditional way, then this duo are for you. Gabisson is a skilled harmonica player, breathing and intoning, as well as accompanying Rodriquez’s French inflected vocality and skilled fretwork.

I loved their setlist, that included 'I’m Ready', Jimmy Rogers' 'Goin’ Away Baby', 'Rollin' Stone', 'Big Road Blues', 'Walking To The Park', as well as an unusually fresh, raw version of 'Hoochie Coochie Man'. A cover of Big Bill Broonzy’s 1952 classic 'Hey Hey', was also so special, and I felt like not only was I going back in time, but I was part of that raw, tinged, stripped down Blues era, which spawned Blue Grass Blues Rock and so much more. A delightful set, The Mojo Twins super score musically, as their version of the Blues is full of old-school purism and authenticity!

Then it was time for the main act, Blues men Big Dez and Sax Gordon Beadle. Dez’s long time bass man Lamine Guerfi also provided the grounding and earthing in the electricity of this set, with understated and essential fretwork and timing. Stalwart drummer Guillaume Destarac was also perfectly attuned, delivering the beat of Dez’s brand of Blues. Established backline buddies, they both had a great time, intuitively setting the pace and rhythm to match front liners Dez and Beadle’s showmanship.

Last, but not least, joining them at the front of the stage was super-skilled keyboardist Vinz Polletvillard with his Hammond like tones, who himself is also a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist, as well having his own band to boot. Polletvillard is a long standing part of Big Dez’s band sound, as well as being involved in other projects such as his Charb-On Power Trio, who released a five-track debut EP 'The Austin Sessions' in November. Together, all of these accomplished, experienced musicians produced a magical set. It was well worth the trip!

However, my pre-gig concern, that Gordon would over blow and dominate across all of the instruments, proved groundless. Instead, Beadle added a superb dimension to the musical mix. It really was a collaborative affair. Fernandez felt the set vibe, giving Gordon the sax blow and baton when needed, as each artist gave the other the respect and room to open up and delight the appreciative audience. Also Big Dez scored by consciously bringing in Polletvillard’s Hammond key harness and accompaniment, to complement his big vibrato, Fender sizzling style.

This evening's set list was long and varied, more so than Big Dez’s recent UK tour. Particular highlights were an extended version of Albert Collins’ 'I Got that Feeling', where Fernandez not only channelled the late great Collins' 1981 song, but also his aforementioned guitar technique as well as his rich Presley like vocals, adding a raw, enhanced resonance and intensity, which magnificently magnified this classic composition.

Big Dez made this feeling his own, duly exclaiming afterwards, “Yeah! I did have that feeling!" Indeed, it displaced Collins' tamer US Blues version, and was totally passion filled in performance. Gueri’s bass line counterpoint was also perfect, while Gordon’s sax came in just when it should. With Polletvillard also on co-chorus vocals, the whole band was as tight as could be. And this was only the second song of the set! The audience loved it and the temperature in this cellar was duly rising!

Tonight's crowd comprised not only of Parisians, but also some ladies from Northern France, a couple of Blues fans from Wolverhampton, as well as a number of Fernandez’s Parisian Blues mates, such as Pascal Hofstein. All bunkered down and buckled up in this Parisian cellar, we all knew that we were in for a treat. Cue a sizzling set list, that ripped through many classic Big Dez numbers, including 'Beautician Blues', 'Early in The Morning', Bobby Rush’s 'Chicken Heads', 'Call My Job', 'Texas BBQ' and 'Never Make a Move'.

Therefore, my hunch that Sax Gordon would add to this hot cellar gig party proved so right. His own album compositions 'DD Rider' and the very apt 'Have Horn Will Travel', were impressive, as was his audience walkabout, which the adoring crowd lapped up. In fact Beadle proved to be more of a smooth soulful saxophonist rather than a total harder edged player, and I also loved his cheekiness and banter. Indeed, his amusing introduction to his own composition, 'So Good (At Being No Good)' was further evidence of this, as they continued with a great version of 'Shack Bully', 'Take My Love' and 'Wee Wee Hours', that featured Polletvillard’s superb keys. Indeed, this was a set list that smashed it in tone, variety and intensity, with the closer 'Wall to Wall' seeing everyone getting up in the cellar, dancing and partying.

This gig was a superb, proper Parisian musical Blues - meets Funk - Jazz party! And make no secret that I would love you Blues fans to hear and see Big Dez and Sax Gordon play! Please try and catch them when you can, in Paris or on tour in Europe. You won't be sorry!

Review, Video and Photos: Denise Lester