大象传媒

In the world of blues music very few harmonica players can hold a candle to London-based Paul Lamb.

The likeable Geordie has won more awards than you can poke a stick at and he continues to set new standards on the blues harp or, if you prefer, the gob iron.

Back in the mid '90s when myself and John Butters began putting on gigs at The Lion's Den in Ipswich Paul Lamb and the King Snakes were one of the first bands we booked and we weren't disappointed.听

Well over a decade later they remain one of the UK's finest blues outfits and will, I'm sure, go down the proverbial storm when they headline this month's Bures Blues Night.

In previous years groups like Dr Feelgood, The Hamsters, Nine Below Zero and The Mike Sanchez Band have pulled in the punters and Paul Lamb and company look set to do likewise.

The Ramon Goose Band.

Also on the bill will be The Ramon Goose Band and their special guest saxophonist Malcolm Miles.

There's always a fantastic atmosphere inside the giant marquee on Bures Recreation Ground and whatever the weather it seems the whole village comes out to let its hair down.

It's always a pleasure both putting the bill together and MC'ing the proceedings so I very much hope you can join the party.

It's on Friday 10 July and tickets are 拢15. What makes the evening and indeed the whole of the Bures Music Festival extra special is that all profits go to local good causes.

Music On The Green

The day after Bures I'll be compere for the evening session of another great charity event, Music On The Green at Martlesham Heath near Ipswich.

After The Fire

Among the many acts appearing will be After The Fire who over the past few years have been enjoying a new lease of life.

ATF are a pop/rock band who have their roots in the progressive rock era of the early '70s.

Founder member Peter Banks has been a key player in keeping the name alive and enjoys a good working relationship with the Angel Air label in Stowmarket.

The company is run by Peter and Shirley Purnell and has just issued ATF's 大象传媒 radio sessions from 1979 to 1981.

It's fair to say the three years in question saw the group at the height of their powers with songs like One Rule For You, Laser Love and Dancing In the Shadows playing a big part in their live shows.

All three of those tracks appear on the new CD which is an absolute must-buy for fans of the band.

I've made no secret of my fondness for the group's music and was lucky enough to see them a number of times in their pomp.

That said they did provide me with one of my biggest Ipswich Music Day headaches when one of their own sound engineers (and I use the term loosely) ruined their performance on the 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk stage in 2007. I'm very much hoping for a better mix at Martlesham and so will they for that matter.

Keyboards player Peter Banks has been a regular guest of mine on 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk over the years and he'll be joining me on air again on Wednesday, July 8听 to talk about the vintage 大象传媒 recordings and to preview their early evening appearance at Music On The Green.

Happy Birthday Pat

One of my best friends on the Suffolk music scene is recording engineer and studio owner Pat Grueber.

Pat recently celebrated his 50th birthday in fine style. He invited family and friends along for a Saturday night soiree at his recently opened second studio in Ipswich's Woodbridge Road East.

Pat Grueber

Gemini 2 was packed for the occasion and so it should have been. Musicians like Mark Flanagan, Robbie Gladwell and Tony Stone brought their guitars and voices along and together with top drummer George Double helped the party go with a swing.

It was also good to see other well known local musicians such as Lincoln Anderson, Jock Davies and Nick Lightbody join in the celebrations.

All the musicians I've just mentioned have worked with Pat on various projects over the years and I'm sure they'll continue to do so for many years to come.

Pat's contribution to the local music scene over the past decade and a half has been immense and I've enjoyed collaborating with him on numerous projects including the ITFC single Singing The Blues and various Dr Feelgood CD compilations.

He's something of a workaholic and even at his own shindig was plugging in leads and sorting out other equipment! I wish him continued success and I'm certain Gemini 2 will be as successful as Gemini 1 in Levington Road, Ipswich.

Cambridge Rock Festival

Classic rock fans will be in their element at the forthcoming Cambridge Rock Festival. Some of the biggest stars of the genre are performing at the Haggis Farm Polo Club in Barton for what promises to be the best CRF yet.

Asia

The original line-up of Asia, John Lees' Barclay James Harvest, Quireboys, Jefferson Starship, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Focus are among the rock heavyweights.

In all there are nearly 100 groups appearing from August 6 to 9 and If you're going I'd also recommend checking out Never The Bride and Mostly Autumn while blues guitarists Oli Brown and Danny Bryant are always worth seeing too.

Tune in to Drivetime with Stephen Foster, Monday to Friday between 1600-1900 BST (1800 on Fridays) and Sunday morning between 0900-1200 BST.