This year's Crawdaddy Club Summer Party sizzled with special Blues magic. This legendary club, started in 1962, was the first residency for The Rolling Stones and also helped launch the careers of Eric Clapton with The Yardbirds, Paul Jones and Manfred Mann, Long John Baldry, as well as Ray Davies, before he started The Kinks. Along with The Ealing Club and the Eel Pie Club, The Crawdaddy was at the forefront of Britain’s R & B and Blues music scene. Now run by the friendlyJulia Lewis with her dedicated team, including a fine sound engineer, this Club at Twickenham's The Turk’s Head is a find and a go to venue for Blues lovers. There’s a really friendly welcoming atmosphere and I really enjoyed this evening's upbeat Classic Blues

The Fabulous Mojo Kings opened. Seasoned musicians all, featuring guitarists Geoff Garbow, Christian Parker and Ian McHugh. Garbow sported a vintage resonator Fender Squier Stratocaster and a harmonica, with McHugh on a Tokai ES-335 and Parker on a Fender Telecaster. Complemented by Pete Stapleforth on bass guitar and Arnie Lane on drums, their opening set delighted.

Their first guest was Oli Mississippi MacDonald – four times UK Blues award winner as well as being inducted into the UK Blues Hall of Fame. Indeed, McDonald is a fine Blues man, always worth seeing and hearing. His too short old school set with the band kicked off with 'Blind Leading the Blind', a version of his single which he cut in Memphis with Vaneese Thomas, followed by two more self-penned songs, 2023 album title track, 'Heavy  State Loving Blues', and then finally 'Drinker's Blues'. MacDonalds’ vocals have echoes of the timbre of Tom Jones and his guitar licks are great grooves.

Tonight's second guest joining the band, was multi-award winning, internationally respected and regarded harmonica player Giles Robson. Robson’s breathwork, virtuoso Blues style playing, vocals and showmanship thrilled in yet another too short set, closing with an exclusive, 'The Crawdaddy Club Boogie'! Such fun and its world premiere!

The capacity crowd were then treated to Chicago vocalist Robbin Kapsalis. Now Giles Robson’s wife (lucky man), Kapsalis brought Chicago club vocals to the Crawdaddy house! I loved her deep rich vocals, expressive chanteuse style, and especially her rendition of Etta James’ 'The Blues is My Business', that still remains stuck in my head, speed dial!  Tonight we were lucky enough to witness three top flight Blues artists  at this most memorable Summer Party gig!

Video, review and photos: Denise Lester