This evening's gig was memorable for this tender, fond and affectionate tribute to Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner. 55 years ago, these two musicians started the legendary Ealing Blues Club which heralded the boom of the British Blues scene. Indeed, tonight's iconic venue, and its neighbouring, aforementioned Ealing Blues Club, alongside Richmond's historic Crawdaddy Club, continue to provide a modern 21st Century geographical axis, that still plays and promotes the core chords of British Blues.

Tonight the stage was stuffed full of well respected musicians, eager and willing to play to each other, for each other and to an appreciative audience. The lovely relaxed, yet serious Blues aficionado vibe abounded. No one was talking - they just viewed heard and imbibed this superb music. Suffice to say, the musician’s musicians credits in the main band, made me dizzy!

This evening's star-studded lineup included Alan Glen on harmonica (ex-Yardbirds, Nine Below Zero, The Blues Puppies), as well as seasoned Blues keyboards, Hammond style session player, Bob Haddrell, who has played with Pee Wee Ellis, Billy Swann, Chicago’s Jimmy Dawkins and Dave Specter. Add to that Chris Belshaw on bass, who was so solid throughout the evening, with such mature understated playing, plus Rory Gallagher’s drummer for ten years, the superb Brendon O’ Neill, who was also in Nine Below Zero and is now with Band of Friends with former bandmate Gerry McAvoy. Last, but not least, there was also ex-Yardbirds Laurie Garman on harmonica, who has recorded with Bob Marley and The Wailers, Blues guitar legend Freddie King, Lightening Slim and much closer to home, as well as very poignantly, Alexis Korner himself.

Glen opened proceedings with Dave Peabody on acoustic guitar on 'Wine Women & Whiskey', before Tim Hain soloed with his own composition 'Eel Pie Special', a personal homage to this special club. Next, guitarist Manny Fizzotti joined Laurie Garman on stage playing a fabulous version of 'Blow Wind', which was followed by 'Killing Floor'. Fizotti is a generation down, who plays internationally as well as with Giles Robson, and is also a guitar teacher, who added a great extra contemporary, yet classic Blues combo to the musical mix this evening. Before the break on this mini music festival, raw edged, vocal powerhouse Belinda Campbell, alongside Garman, also delighted with 'Hi-Heel Sneakers', 'Hound Dog' and 'Stop Messing Around'.

The highlight though for me was hearing British legend Dave Kelly play a superb set on slide Fender guitar with the band. Yes, that Dave Kelly from The Blues Band - the very finest purveyors of Rhythm & Blues. And man, not only can this living legend play guitar, but he can also sing. Kelly is indeed Clapton-esque in stature Blues wise, as well as being totally modest to boot. Indeed, I'm enough of a longstanding Blues Band nerd to admit that I have their 2005 Box Set and have seen them in concert.

I’ve also seen Kelly play acoustic guitar with Paul Jones, but seeing him holding the stage this evening with his assured, commanding, fluent fret work was extraordinary. I love slide Blues and his set with Glen and the band including 'Talk To Me Baby', 'Don’t Know Which Way To Go', 'Death Letter', 'Georgia', 'Lovin’ Arms' and 'Statesboro’ Blues' was standout and superlative.

All of the musicians tonight were proof positive for the Blues historians, the first timers to this Club and also more generally, that these guys who have been playing for years, do keep the classic Blues alive and quite frankly do it the best! Indeed, Garman is considerably in demand as a classic Blues style harmonica player, while Kelly on this evidence, should be heard and seen more on slide Blues, so promoters please take note! Paul Cox, whose gravelly vocals have the touch of early Rod Stewart, joined Kelly, Garman and the band for some final classic Blues fayre, which included crowd pleasers, 'Hoochie Coochie Man', 'Got My Mojo Working' with both Campbell and Glen joining in, and finally a stonker of a closer, 'Don’t You Lie to Me Baby'.

All in all, a classic Blues gig, delivered by some of the seasoned best on the British Blues scene!

Review, photos and video: Denise Lester