Here's what they've been saying...
www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/mike-markey-and-nick-jones-heads-of-the-valleys/
Heads Of The Valleys
Authentic and consistently entertaining acoustic blues from this highly skilled duo from Deep South Wales. These guys look and sound the part.
Mike Markey (harmonica and vocals) and Nick Jones (guitars) are an acoustic blues duo from South Wales and this release on the local Clementine label first appeared in 2008. The 2009 edition appears with a bonus disc of the duo’s appearance on Radio Wales in August and includes four songs from the initial album plus an interesting interview with presenter Alan Thompson.
Markey and Jones first met as members of the Tom Williams Jazz & Blues Band but went their separate ways for a number of years before forming the present duo. A popular act on the South Wales scene they are now coming to wider attention with regular gigs in Herefordshire, Swindon , Birmingham and beyond. An appearance on Paul Jones’ Rhythm and Blues Show on Radio 2 brought them to the ears of a national audience and this is also documented on the bonus disc.
I’ve seen the duo several times, the first time at the tiny Blue Note bar in my home town of Leominster where I was hugely impressed. A word by yours truly in the right ears has ensured that they’ve continued to visit the town on a regular basis playing both the Blue Note and the Bell Inn with further dates due at both of these very soon. See www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com for details.
Perhaps the best gig I’ve seen by them was at the 2009 Pontypool Jazz festival where they entertained a larger, harder listening crowd with their blend of interesting and often humorous material and superb musicianship. One of the strengths of the duo is the way that they have the happy ability to appeal to casual pub audiences who may not have heard them before in addition to having the hard won authenticity required to convince hard core blues buffs. Visually the duo look the part, man mountain Mike sports a dark suit and fedora hat, the smaller, dapper Jones totes a brilliantly shining National guitar alongside a more prosaic acoustic. The National is a thing of beauty that draws gasps of admiration wherever and whenever it’s played. Markey has an authentic blues voice, deep, resonant and convincing. Jones is an accomplished finger picker and a superb slide guitar player. He dovetails superbly with Markey’s vocals and harmonica lines, indeed Markey’s harp skills are such that he frequently guests in this capacity for other artists, including King Pleasure And the Biscuit Boys among others. Markey quotes Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Kim Wilson of The fabulous Thunderbirds as his favourite harpists, Jones’ tastes are rather more catholic, including, rather improbably Thomas Dolby. It’s all there in that radio interview.
Both Markey and Jones have played in electric blues bands before (indeed I saw Markey fronting one such back in the day) but the pared down nature of the duo seems to bring out the best in them. Their chosen repertoire is a big strength. The fourteen songs on this album are witty and pithy, often highly humorous and loaded with double entendres in the best blues tradition- try the opener “Let Me Squeeze Your Lemons” for size, or “My Pencil Won’t Write No More”, a lament penned in the days before Viagra. “Fishin’ Blues” sounds pretty smutty too.
However it’s not all fun and filth, there’s a harrowing blues rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Pneumonia Blues” and an urgent, insistent version of “Midnight Train To Memphis”, the latter a prison song and a musical first cousin to the better known “Midnight Special” . Also written from the point of view of a convict “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” is a stark murder ballad.
The pair have a particular affinity for the witty songs of the US duo Tim Ball and Kenny Sultan and “Your Red Wagon” and the hilarious “Filthy Rich” grace this selection, the latter a great crowd favourite. Their “Tired As A Man Can Be” has also featured in the Markey/Jones repertoire.
Elsewhere we get to hear Earl Hooker’s “I Need Me A Car” (if you’re wondering Earl was John Lee’s cousin) and Muddy Waters’ “Can’t Be Satisfied”, a slide showcase for Nick Jones.
It’s unfortunate that the album inlay doesn’t list the provenance of all these songs. Some but not all I know from elsewhere, other information I’ve picked from the duo’s website and radio interview. I know it’s not always easy to identify the authorship of blues material but a bit more info would have been welcome.
Anyway we also get “Back To California”, a segue of “My Buckets Got A Hole In It” and “Move It On Over” plus the penultimate track the road song “This Old Band”. The closing “Too Much Alcohol” was associated with the late, great Rory Gallagher (in more ways than one) but not I’m sure if he actually wrote it.
Recorded live in the studio this album is a good approximation of what you can expect if you go to see the duo live. There are no frills but the playing is sharp and precise throughout. With the emphasis on fun this is a hugely entertaining album but the duo clearly have a real love of their source material and their version of the acoustic, country blues is highly convincing. These guys look and sound the part and the spirit of Robert Johnson, pictured on the cover, shines throughout. It’s the sound of the American Deep South even if the geographical location is deep South Wales.
As the duo’s following continues to increase I would think it’s almost certain that they will be recording again in this format at some point. Writing their own songs in this style is a possibility for next time, presumably mixed in with some of the other old classics just waiting to be re-discovered.
For the record the bonus disc contains live versions of “Can’t Be Satisfied”, “If It Hadn’t Been For Love”, “Filthy Rich” and “Too Much Alcohol” from the Radio Wales show plus “I Need Me A Car” from the Paul Jones show.
In the meantime if you get the chance to catch this consistently entertaining double act live make sure you take the chance. You won’t regret it. That website address again; www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com
www.torfaenjazz.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:mike-markey-a-nick-jones&catid=37:about-gigs&Itemid=29
It's been a long time since big Mike Markey climbed the stairs up to the club room and along with ace guitarist Nick Jones the wait was well worth it. Around 30 of us witnessed a bagful of songs of love, jealousy, pain, heartbreak, humour, alcohol and anything else those great bluesmen and women wrote about. Mike's voice switched between city and country styles effortlessly as his harp seamlessly punctuated the vocal lines. Nicks driving guitar work, whether on acoustic or slide was of the highest order, particularly impressive was the unison work with some of the vocal lines. Tunes such as Kidney Stew and It Should Have Been Me were belted out with vim and vigour and the enthusiastic applause from the knowledgable audience underlined their universal enjoymentof a thoroughly entertaining night.
www.folkandroots.co.uk/reviews7.html#markey
I discovered Mike & Nick at the Bluefront Bluesroom Guy Davies concert last week. Mike & Nick played the support slot and were a total surprise for me, and judging by the overwhelming response - the whole audience. They tore through six songs (at the bluefront, support acts have a 25 minute slot) ranging from searing dirty slide guitar blues, bittersweet bluegrass, along with some wonderful inuendo ridden amusing ragtime - and left me wanting more. A whole gig at the Bluefront maybe?
Both of these fine musicians were keen to talk and I discovered that their highly polished performance is down to them both having quite a prolific background in the music scene covering many genres and styles....So I bought their debut CD 'Heads of the Valleys'.
We start with 'Let me squeeze your lemons'. The title here speaks for itself launching the album with a raucous and refreshing variation of the 'Walkin' Blues' tune. It features some wonderful vocals and aggressive harp accompanied by Nick's intricate picking and solid basslines. Fishin' Blues is a blatant cover version of the original 1920's tune..as opposed to the diluted Taj Mahal song..worthy of note here is the tight solo that Mike & Nick play together so well it's as if they were Siamese twins! The album continues with more syncopated rhythms that are a genuine 'shot in the arm'. Yes this is pre-war blues/ragtime/bluegrass, but it is so beautifully executed and modernised that nearly every song has Mike & Nick's stamp all over it.
Gems amongst the tracks on this CD are 'Back to California' with it's driving rhythm and wailing harmonica and 'Too much alcohol', a bottleneck guitar Rory Gallagher tune. Let's hope we don't have to wait too long for their second album.
Information on Mike & Nick can be found at their website www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com
Elina Everson
Music Critic/Reviewer
UK
Great Blues Duo from The Deep South
Crossroads Blues Club, Birmingham, 12 June 2008
Thursday 12th June saw the debut gig of Mike Markey and Nick Jones at the Crossroads Blues Club at ‘The Tower of Song’ venue in Cotteridge.
As usual, the evening was hosted by Chickenbone Blues and started with a Blues open mic session. This kicked off with a swinging set from Steve Butt on yet another of his many guitars and was followed by some serious finger picking from Harry Boyen, who also accompanied Chickenbone Blues to deliver a poignant harp solo on 'Stormy Monday'. Mark Bennett rounded off the open mic session with a skilful and robustly delivered jazzy set and it was great to see harp maestro Tony Stokes enthusiastically helping out on a couple of numbers.
After the break, Mike and Nick started their set the way they intended to continue - with tight and powerfully delivered Blues classics and material from other styles that they 'made their own'. Mike's strong, soulful vocals and solid harp playing gave the duo a distinctive sound while Nick's guitar and slide playing drove the set along and kept the many guitarists in the audience mesmerised with his original and creative solos.
Their set took us on a journey from solid straight ahead Blues, though Ragtime and on to the blatantly raucous, and before we knew it the set was over and we were demanding an encore! Their Bluesy versions of Hank Williams' 'Move it on Over' and Woody Guthrie's 'Dust Pneumonia Blues' demonstrated how well this talented duo can stamp their own mark on classic numbers and their slow minor key delivery of 'If it Hadn't Been for Love' added a whole new dimension to a great song.
After the gig, Mike Markey said 'this is a unique and welcoming music venue and we've had a fantastic time tonight - it was well worth the journey and we'll be back!'
Another great night at The Crossroads!
Review by Ken Stratford
Crossroads Blues Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Tower of Song’, 107 Pershore Road South, Cotteridge, B30 3JX. Open mic followed by one or two acts (music from 8.45pm).
Further information
www.towerofsong.co.uk/blues
www.myspace.com/crossroadsbluesclub
kenstratford@hotmail.com
"The best blues duo I've seen - Andy Roberts, BBC Wales"
"Mike Markey and Nick Jones are always a welcome treat at the Blue Front - well chosen material excellently performed and well received." John Anderson, promoter. Blue Front Blues Room.
The Borough Blues Club Newsletter
September 2007
Gig Review – Borough Blues Club Second Birthday Bash – 8th September 2007
By Adrian Bold
Two years of the Borough Blues Club already! And what a good reason for a great celebration last Saturday night! Not only were there live performances for the whole evening but there was also a free raffle with the usual prizes of Blues CDs, wine and chocolates, an “on the house” birthday drink for everyone and a superb complimentary buffet. The Clubroom had been decked out with balloons, candles and posters and from very early on it was clear that people were entering into the party spirit. The room was nicely crowded and, with the atmosphere building, the evening kicked off with a great set from local “unplugged” duo Mike Markey and Nick Jones, fresh from their previous weekend’s successful performance at Pontypool’s “Jazz in the Park” festival.
Mike is a vocalist and harp player in a traditional blues style who sang a range of songs from the blues greats including “Tired as a man can be.” (Sonny and Brownie); “I just can’t be satisfied” (Muddy Waters); “Dust Pneumonia Blues” (Woody Guthrie) and “I’m so lonesome” (Hank Williams). Mike was superbly supported by Nick Jones who is highly accomplished on both guitar and a beautiful, shiny, metal resonator. Nick’s intricate picking and slide guitar was held in awe, particularly among the aspiring blues guitarists in the room. It takes a special talent to hold an audience spellbound with just guitar, voice and harmonica Mike and Nick managed this well and the Borough Blues Club provided a good reception and warm applause
.JPG)
Review from The Borough Blues Club 2006
Mike and Nick have an impressive list of appearance credits having worked with Walter Trout, Dana Gillespie and Mike Sanchez and have played at the Lydney Jazz Festival, Abertillery Blues Festival and at Brecon Jazz where, contrary to the current organisation, they busked in the street! And they did not disappoint at the BBC.
Their hour long set opened with Sonny Terry's Living with the Blues with Nick Jones showing great pace and presence on the guitar with thumb and finger picks creating a sublime mix of bass lines, rhythm and lead.
Nick moved to a chrome Nashville resonator for Hank Williams "My buckets got a hole in it" with Mike displaying his trade mark gravel-deep blues voice and great virtuosity on the harp. Earl Hooker's "I need me a car", Woody Guthrie's "Dust Pneumonia Blues" and Eddie Vinson's "Kidney Stew" were followed by, "Your Red Wagon" and "Tired as a man can be" by Tim Ball and Kenny Sultan, taking the set to the halfway point. It was amazing that two guys using only microphones, guitar and harp had the presence and variety of music to hold the room.
Mike amused the audience with "It should have been me" famously recorded by Ray Charles and "Filthy Rich", another Tim Ball song which drew loud applause at the final line "I'd be one happy son of a b-ch if someone would make me rich". A fast and upbeat version of Elmore James "Dust my Broom" brought a neat combination of shuffle and slide guitar and led through Muddy Waters "Can't be satisfied" to a rock and roll "Hip Shakin'", and Big Bill Broonzy's "Bankers Blues". The set came to an end with a tribute to Rory Gallagher in the song "Too much alcohol".
This fitting conclusion was a mix of high speed and melodic phrasing mixed with quirky timing and great vocals which resolved into a traditional shuffle. Borough Blues members were fortunate to see two skilled artists with such commitment to the blues and gave Mike and Nick a great ovation! Of course there were loud calls for an encore which, to the delight of the crowd was the song which has become the anthem of Borough Blues Club - Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man". Great stuff!
Mini review from BBC website:
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/pontypool/pages/jazzinthepark_review.shtml
Courtesy of King Pleasure regarding Mike's guest appearance:
" Michael Markey is a sensational blues harp player. Joining us on stage at the Beaufort theatre, he added an extra dimention to the band and with a feverish and blistering finale helped bring the house down."
Heads Of The Valleys
Authentic and consistently entertaining acoustic blues from this highly skilled duo from Deep South Wales. These guys look and sound the part.
Mike Markey (harmonica and vocals) and Nick Jones (guitars) are an acoustic blues duo from South Wales and this release on the local Clementine label first appeared in 2008. The 2009 edition appears with a bonus disc of the duo’s appearance on Radio Wales in August and includes four songs from the initial album plus an interesting interview with presenter Alan Thompson.
Markey and Jones first met as members of the Tom Williams Jazz & Blues Band but went their separate ways for a number of years before forming the present duo. A popular act on the South Wales scene they are now coming to wider attention with regular gigs in Herefordshire, Swindon , Birmingham and beyond. An appearance on Paul Jones’ Rhythm and Blues Show on Radio 2 brought them to the ears of a national audience and this is also documented on the bonus disc.
I’ve seen the duo several times, the first time at the tiny Blue Note bar in my home town of Leominster where I was hugely impressed. A word by yours truly in the right ears has ensured that they’ve continued to visit the town on a regular basis playing both the Blue Note and the Bell Inn with further dates due at both of these very soon. See www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com for details.
Perhaps the best gig I’ve seen by them was at the 2009 Pontypool Jazz festival where they entertained a larger, harder listening crowd with their blend of interesting and often humorous material and superb musicianship. One of the strengths of the duo is the way that they have the happy ability to appeal to casual pub audiences who may not have heard them before in addition to having the hard won authenticity required to convince hard core blues buffs. Visually the duo look the part, man mountain Mike sports a dark suit and fedora hat, the smaller, dapper Jones totes a brilliantly shining National guitar alongside a more prosaic acoustic. The National is a thing of beauty that draws gasps of admiration wherever and whenever it’s played. Markey has an authentic blues voice, deep, resonant and convincing. Jones is an accomplished finger picker and a superb slide guitar player. He dovetails superbly with Markey’s vocals and harmonica lines, indeed Markey’s harp skills are such that he frequently guests in this capacity for other artists, including King Pleasure And the Biscuit Boys among others. Markey quotes Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Kim Wilson of The fabulous Thunderbirds as his favourite harpists, Jones’ tastes are rather more catholic, including, rather improbably Thomas Dolby. It’s all there in that radio interview.
Both Markey and Jones have played in electric blues bands before (indeed I saw Markey fronting one such back in the day) but the pared down nature of the duo seems to bring out the best in them. Their chosen repertoire is a big strength. The fourteen songs on this album are witty and pithy, often highly humorous and loaded with double entendres in the best blues tradition- try the opener “Let Me Squeeze Your Lemons” for size, or “My Pencil Won’t Write No More”, a lament penned in the days before Viagra. “Fishin’ Blues” sounds pretty smutty too.
However it’s not all fun and filth, there’s a harrowing blues rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Pneumonia Blues” and an urgent, insistent version of “Midnight Train To Memphis”, the latter a prison song and a musical first cousin to the better known “Midnight Special” . Also written from the point of view of a convict “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” is a stark murder ballad.
The pair have a particular affinity for the witty songs of the US duo Tim Ball and Kenny Sultan and “Your Red Wagon” and the hilarious “Filthy Rich” grace this selection, the latter a great crowd favourite. Their “Tired As A Man Can Be” has also featured in the Markey/Jones repertoire.
Elsewhere we get to hear Earl Hooker’s “I Need Me A Car” (if you’re wondering Earl was John Lee’s cousin) and Muddy Waters’ “Can’t Be Satisfied”, a slide showcase for Nick Jones.
It’s unfortunate that the album inlay doesn’t list the provenance of all these songs. Some but not all I know from elsewhere, other information I’ve picked from the duo’s website and radio interview. I know it’s not always easy to identify the authorship of blues material but a bit more info would have been welcome.
Anyway we also get “Back To California”, a segue of “My Buckets Got A Hole In It” and “Move It On Over” plus the penultimate track the road song “This Old Band”. The closing “Too Much Alcohol” was associated with the late, great Rory Gallagher (in more ways than one) but not I’m sure if he actually wrote it.
Recorded live in the studio this album is a good approximation of what you can expect if you go to see the duo live. There are no frills but the playing is sharp and precise throughout. With the emphasis on fun this is a hugely entertaining album but the duo clearly have a real love of their source material and their version of the acoustic, country blues is highly convincing. These guys look and sound the part and the spirit of Robert Johnson, pictured on the cover, shines throughout. It’s the sound of the American Deep South even if the geographical location is deep South Wales.
As the duo’s following continues to increase I would think it’s almost certain that they will be recording again in this format at some point. Writing their own songs in this style is a possibility for next time, presumably mixed in with some of the other old classics just waiting to be re-discovered.
For the record the bonus disc contains live versions of “Can’t Be Satisfied”, “If It Hadn’t Been For Love”, “Filthy Rich” and “Too Much Alcohol” from the Radio Wales show plus “I Need Me A Car” from the Paul Jones show.
In the meantime if you get the chance to catch this consistently entertaining double act live make sure you take the chance. You won’t regret it. That website address again; www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com
www.torfaenjazz.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:mike-markey-a-nick-jones&catid=37:about-gigs&Itemid=29
It's been a long time since big Mike Markey climbed the stairs up to the club room and along with ace guitarist Nick Jones the wait was well worth it. Around 30 of us witnessed a bagful of songs of love, jealousy, pain, heartbreak, humour, alcohol and anything else those great bluesmen and women wrote about. Mike's voice switched between city and country styles effortlessly as his harp seamlessly punctuated the vocal lines. Nicks driving guitar work, whether on acoustic or slide was of the highest order, particularly impressive was the unison work with some of the vocal lines. Tunes such as Kidney Stew and It Should Have Been Me were belted out with vim and vigour and the enthusiastic applause from the knowledgable audience underlined their universal enjoymentof a thoroughly entertaining night.
www.folkandroots.co.uk/reviews7.html#markey
I discovered Mike & Nick at the Bluefront Bluesroom Guy Davies concert last week. Mike & Nick played the support slot and were a total surprise for me, and judging by the overwhelming response - the whole audience. They tore through six songs (at the bluefront, support acts have a 25 minute slot) ranging from searing dirty slide guitar blues, bittersweet bluegrass, along with some wonderful inuendo ridden amusing ragtime - and left me wanting more. A whole gig at the Bluefront maybe?
Both of these fine musicians were keen to talk and I discovered that their highly polished performance is down to them both having quite a prolific background in the music scene covering many genres and styles....So I bought their debut CD 'Heads of the Valleys'.
We start with 'Let me squeeze your lemons'. The title here speaks for itself launching the album with a raucous and refreshing variation of the 'Walkin' Blues' tune. It features some wonderful vocals and aggressive harp accompanied by Nick's intricate picking and solid basslines. Fishin' Blues is a blatant cover version of the original 1920's tune..as opposed to the diluted Taj Mahal song..worthy of note here is the tight solo that Mike & Nick play together so well it's as if they were Siamese twins! The album continues with more syncopated rhythms that are a genuine 'shot in the arm'. Yes this is pre-war blues/ragtime/bluegrass, but it is so beautifully executed and modernised that nearly every song has Mike & Nick's stamp all over it.
Gems amongst the tracks on this CD are 'Back to California' with it's driving rhythm and wailing harmonica and 'Too much alcohol', a bottleneck guitar Rory Gallagher tune. Let's hope we don't have to wait too long for their second album.
Information on Mike & Nick can be found at their website www.mikemarkeyandnickjones.com
Elina Everson
Music Critic/Reviewer
UK
Great Blues Duo from The Deep South
Crossroads Blues Club, Birmingham, 12 June 2008
Thursday 12th June saw the debut gig of Mike Markey and Nick Jones at the Crossroads Blues Club at ‘The Tower of Song’ venue in Cotteridge.
As usual, the evening was hosted by Chickenbone Blues and started with a Blues open mic session. This kicked off with a swinging set from Steve Butt on yet another of his many guitars and was followed by some serious finger picking from Harry Boyen, who also accompanied Chickenbone Blues to deliver a poignant harp solo on 'Stormy Monday'. Mark Bennett rounded off the open mic session with a skilful and robustly delivered jazzy set and it was great to see harp maestro Tony Stokes enthusiastically helping out on a couple of numbers.
After the break, Mike and Nick started their set the way they intended to continue - with tight and powerfully delivered Blues classics and material from other styles that they 'made their own'. Mike's strong, soulful vocals and solid harp playing gave the duo a distinctive sound while Nick's guitar and slide playing drove the set along and kept the many guitarists in the audience mesmerised with his original and creative solos.
Their set took us on a journey from solid straight ahead Blues, though Ragtime and on to the blatantly raucous, and before we knew it the set was over and we were demanding an encore! Their Bluesy versions of Hank Williams' 'Move it on Over' and Woody Guthrie's 'Dust Pneumonia Blues' demonstrated how well this talented duo can stamp their own mark on classic numbers and their slow minor key delivery of 'If it Hadn't Been for Love' added a whole new dimension to a great song.
After the gig, Mike Markey said 'this is a unique and welcoming music venue and we've had a fantastic time tonight - it was well worth the journey and we'll be back!'
Another great night at The Crossroads!
Review by Ken Stratford
Crossroads Blues Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Tower of Song’, 107 Pershore Road South, Cotteridge, B30 3JX. Open mic followed by one or two acts (music from 8.45pm).
Further information
www.towerofsong.co.uk/blues
www.myspace.com/crossroadsbluesclub
kenstratford@hotmail.com
"The best blues duo I've seen - Andy Roberts, BBC Wales"
"Mike Markey and Nick Jones are always a welcome treat at the Blue Front - well chosen material excellently performed and well received." John Anderson, promoter. Blue Front Blues Room.
The Borough Blues Club Newsletter
September 2007
Gig Review – Borough Blues Club Second Birthday Bash – 8th September 2007
By Adrian Bold
Two years of the Borough Blues Club already! And what a good reason for a great celebration last Saturday night! Not only were there live performances for the whole evening but there was also a free raffle with the usual prizes of Blues CDs, wine and chocolates, an “on the house” birthday drink for everyone and a superb complimentary buffet. The Clubroom had been decked out with balloons, candles and posters and from very early on it was clear that people were entering into the party spirit. The room was nicely crowded and, with the atmosphere building, the evening kicked off with a great set from local “unplugged” duo Mike Markey and Nick Jones, fresh from their previous weekend’s successful performance at Pontypool’s “Jazz in the Park” festival.
Mike is a vocalist and harp player in a traditional blues style who sang a range of songs from the blues greats including “Tired as a man can be.” (Sonny and Brownie); “I just can’t be satisfied” (Muddy Waters); “Dust Pneumonia Blues” (Woody Guthrie) and “I’m so lonesome” (Hank Williams). Mike was superbly supported by Nick Jones who is highly accomplished on both guitar and a beautiful, shiny, metal resonator. Nick’s intricate picking and slide guitar was held in awe, particularly among the aspiring blues guitarists in the room. It takes a special talent to hold an audience spellbound with just guitar, voice and harmonica Mike and Nick managed this well and the Borough Blues Club provided a good reception and warm applause
Review from The Borough Blues Club 2006
Mike and Nick have an impressive list of appearance credits having worked with Walter Trout, Dana Gillespie and Mike Sanchez and have played at the Lydney Jazz Festival, Abertillery Blues Festival and at Brecon Jazz where, contrary to the current organisation, they busked in the street! And they did not disappoint at the BBC.
Their hour long set opened with Sonny Terry's Living with the Blues with Nick Jones showing great pace and presence on the guitar with thumb and finger picks creating a sublime mix of bass lines, rhythm and lead.
Nick moved to a chrome Nashville resonator for Hank Williams "My buckets got a hole in it" with Mike displaying his trade mark gravel-deep blues voice and great virtuosity on the harp. Earl Hooker's "I need me a car", Woody Guthrie's "Dust Pneumonia Blues" and Eddie Vinson's "Kidney Stew" were followed by, "Your Red Wagon" and "Tired as a man can be" by Tim Ball and Kenny Sultan, taking the set to the halfway point. It was amazing that two guys using only microphones, guitar and harp had the presence and variety of music to hold the room.
Mike amused the audience with "It should have been me" famously recorded by Ray Charles and "Filthy Rich", another Tim Ball song which drew loud applause at the final line "I'd be one happy son of a b-ch if someone would make me rich". A fast and upbeat version of Elmore James "Dust my Broom" brought a neat combination of shuffle and slide guitar and led through Muddy Waters "Can't be satisfied" to a rock and roll "Hip Shakin'", and Big Bill Broonzy's "Bankers Blues". The set came to an end with a tribute to Rory Gallagher in the song "Too much alcohol".
This fitting conclusion was a mix of high speed and melodic phrasing mixed with quirky timing and great vocals which resolved into a traditional shuffle. Borough Blues members were fortunate to see two skilled artists with such commitment to the blues and gave Mike and Nick a great ovation! Of course there were loud calls for an encore which, to the delight of the crowd was the song which has become the anthem of Borough Blues Club - Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man". Great stuff!
Mini review from BBC website:
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/pontypool/pages/jazzinthepark_review.shtml
Courtesy of King Pleasure regarding Mike's guest appearance:
" Michael Markey is a sensational blues harp player. Joining us on stage at the Beaufort theatre, he added an extra dimention to the band and with a feverish and blistering finale helped bring the house down."