The second of their four whirlwind UK Tour dates, Big Dez’s brand of sizzling award winning Blues, electrified this international crowd at the iconic Ain’t Nothin But the Blues Bar in London on Friday evening. Indeed, I have been to this leading venue often enough to know when an artist is on fire, as did tonight's appreciative audience. Aka Phil Fernandez, this multilingual, internationally renowned French guitarist delivered the real deal, delighting the crowd over three sets of solid gold Blues.

Bringing from Paris a mix of Freddie King meets Albert King meets B.B. King, his guitar mastery on his Fender was off the charts. And with many albums under his leather belt, when this multi-award-winning artist opens up on his Fender Strat, you better listen and watch hard, as vibrato and tremolo guitar sounds abounded in his fingers, right off the fret scale.

Complemented by his long time band mates, namely great guitarist, singer and French compatriot, Yann Cole, as well as skilled drummer Guillaume Destarac, who played with such smiling joy, plus seasoned UK bassist Derek White, tonight Big Dez projected his deep fluent vocal mastery of Tom Jones meets Elvis, and much more besides.

His brilliant Blues version of Prince’s 'Kiss' was so darn sexy in an "Ooh La La" French way, while for the Blues connoisseurs, 'Hard Working Woman' duly resonated avec moi! I also just loved Albert King’s 'Call My Job', before a masterpiece in the hands of Big Dez; Bobby Rush’s 'Chicken Heads'. The B.B. King Jump Blues of 'Caledonia' also featured, along with similar Swing Jive in their set, such as ‘Let’s Have Some Fun', which we so certainly did!

'Texas Barbes Q' and 'Hug You Squeeze Me' followed, before 'Early In the Morning', an epic of nearly 10 minutes that showcased both his sizzling Blues guitar and vocal style. The cool shades wearing Cole then led on Little Bob’s 'I Got Loaded', and an opportunity for Yann to display not only his Fender Telecaster technical mastery, but also his soulful voice, the perfect match and foil for Fernandez, especially when Big Dez went on an unexpected walk about out into the street late in their second set!

Not forgetting of course White, cool and assured as ever, who could not contain his smiles throughout the set, plus Destarac, hailing from Toulouse, but now based in Paris, who just seemed so delighted to be playing on the Aint’ Nothin But ‘s drum kit! Due off to headline Solid Entertainments Whitby Pavilion's Blues Rhythm & Rock Festival tomorrow night, as well as completing their whistle stop tour at Ruislip's The Tropic the following night, tonight London loved your brand of Blues Big Dez! Please come back soon! Au revoir!

Review, Photos & Video: Denise Lester