Having recently seen a week earlier well respected Will Johns guest on a couple of numbers with Connor Selby at Twickenham's Eel Pie Club, I was determined to hear The Will Johns Band play on his home patch of Shoreham-By–Sea. Indeed, this gig was special, and so worth of the journey from London, as it showcased to me how fine Johns is as a Blues Rock guitarist.

There was a ramped up sound and set from the get go, and I soon realised that Will had been playing in second gear with Selby, although that night Johns' extended solo on Robert Johnson's 'Crossroads' made it well and truly his own. Indeed, Will has his very own family and musical pedigree, having played with the greats, such as his uncle Eric Clapton as well as Ronnie Wood, with Blues Rock in his blood!

The set list mixed classics with his own work. Opening up with 'Smokestack Lightening', this was followed by 'Oh Well', 'I Heard You Love the Blues' and 'I Just Wanna Make Love to You', which I all loved. Fronting the small stage on vocals and guitar, his very talented band members included James Clarke (guitar), Steve Cook (bass), Chris Gale (drums) and Matthew Szul (flute ), delivering a hot, loud set to this absolutely rammed crowd of local and further afield musicos, who lapped it all up. My mates did too!

The super special guest on drums was Steve Ferrone, all the way from Los Angeles, but born in Brighton. Steve was a member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and has also played and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson and Stevie Nicks, as well as being part of the classic Average White Band line up in the 1970’s! Ferrone, still fit, friendly, energetic, plus a so beautiful white toothed smile, joined Johns for 'White Room', 'Cocaine', 'Mannish Boy', 'Sitting On Top Of The World' and 'Sunshine Of Your Love'. Ostensibly a set within a set, but what a treat to witness Ferrone!

There was no restraint as Johns threw his head back, playing his Fender with macho gusto, as well as delighting on vocals. A class act, his set continued with 'Smugglers Blues', a ramped up 'Crossroads', 'Last Page', plus a Bluesy version of 'Superstition', and then finally closed out this awesome two-part set with 'Purple Rain'.

With Will at his ramped up, robust, musical best, the crowd had a great time. As well as a much anticipated new album in the works, go see this stallion of UK/US Blues Rock! Indeed, you won’t be disappointed when he shows you both his Rock vocal and Fender guitar stripes!

Review, Photos & Video: Denise Lester