MY TOP 5 ALBUMS BY LOCAL GROUPS 1. NU BLUES - DREAMS OF A BLUES MAN
This band are at the cutting edge of the modern blues scene and they come from our neck of the woods. Combining Mississippi Delta blues with hip hop, rap and a bit of funk Nu Blues have taken the blues into the 21st century. Top American bluesman Chris Thomas King has signed them to his label and this is getting a release Stateside. A Brit blues band making an impact in the U.S.A. is virtually unheard of these days so let's hear it for the boys. 2. GROOVE DOCTORS - HIGHLIFE
The band's third album which more than lived up to expectations and proving there's far more to the blues from 12 bar shuffles and slowburners. A stunning set of original material leaving most of what's happening on the national blues scene in the shade. The highlight has got to be "Remise" which captures guitarist Tim Ainslie at his very best. All the tracks work well on stage as we witnessed at the album launch at The Manor Ballroom in Ipswich. 3. BUSTER JAMES - SOLD OUT
Just what every Buster James fan wanted - a covers CD pulling together stage favourites old (ie Tush) and new (eg The Only Thing). This is the closest Roger and the gang have come to bottling their live sound in the studio. The CD also includes four original bonus tracks including the stomping "Sugar Rush". A tremendous set at Ipswich Music Day confirmed what we already knew - Buster James are East Anglia's Kings of Rock. 4. CON MEEHAN - INTELLIGENCE UNDER PRESSURE
It was several years coming but when it did finally arrive Con's debut CD more than lived up to expectations. A great selection of self-penned tracks with Con enlisting some top local players to add different dimensions to his heart-felt material. Guitarist Tim Abbott's contributions are especially good and Con has clearly benefited from having him around. The album's best track is "Radio Heart". It featured on the BBC Radio Suffolk playlist for several weeks and the more I hear it the better it is. 5. PAVLOV'S CAT - BURLINGTON ROAD
An excellent second album by Colchester's premier acoustic band. Fronted by James Hibbins, who also runs the AcoustiCity sessions at The Headgate Theatre, the group really came of age with this CD. Their debut gave us a hint of what was to come but is somewhat overshadowed by this memorable mix of roots and pop. The title track is up there with the best folk songs of the year.
Bubbling under are singer/songwriter David Baalham's debut offering "Any Day Now", The Smouldering Sons' best of "The Story So Far" and The Keno Kings retrospective "Now That's What I Call Kenos 5". Mentions in dispatches as well to Steve Mann of Backwater Records. Steve's Ipswich-based label continues to release highly original CDs. I particularly enjoyed the Mike Summers and The Doons EP which I hope will be followed in 2005 by a full album. Other releases on Backwater like EPs by Jamie Clements and Uncle Black also had their moments as did the label's Exit 13 album. Mention must also be made of Bury-based Dawn Parade. The new line-up came up with a wonderful EP on their own Sugar Town label. The lead track, "The Underground", is Greg McDonald's best song yet. MY TOP 5 LOCAL CONCERTS 1. ELTON JOHN - Portman Road Football Stadium, Ipswich - 16.6.04.
The best concert at the home of Ipswich Town since Tina Turner's triumphant appearance in 1990. Three quarters of the material was from the 1970's which suited me sir. Nothing much had changed for drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone, least of all their haircuts. Note perfect renditions of "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" were the icing on the cake. Elton John has co-written so many great songs it's frightening. 2. BRIAN WILSON - The Regent Theatre, Ipswich 20.7.04.
Another living legend comes to town. I was more than happy to pay £50 for a ticket and wasn't disappointed. Having had the pleasure of meeting one of Brian's musicians, Scott Bennett, before the show I had a pretty good idea what to expect. Mr Wilson is no longer at the height of his powers but his sheer presence and the quality of his band more than made up for any shortcomings. His current album "Smile", which he performed in its entirety, is up there with his greatest works. 3. CLARE TEAL - The Boxford Fleece 27.2.04.
It was great to see a jazz diva at such close quarters. This has really been Ms Teal's year. Her first Sony album confirmed her status as the number one female jazz singer in the UK. This lady not only has a voice to die for, she also has a great sense of humour. She was clearly in her element in the intimate surroundings of The Fleece. I also saw her turn in a fine performance at Framlingham Castle during the summer but the Boxford gig had the edge. 4. STEVE WINWOOD - UEA, Norwich 10.3.04.
The main hall was comfortably full for the man who continues to amaze with his youthful playing and looks. The veteran singer/keyboards maestro and guitarist might not be at the sharp end anymore but his voice and musicianship remain as strong as ever. They say once you've got it, you never lose it but believe me I've seen a number of singers from the 1960's who if they ever had it in the first place certainly haven't got it now. This man still cuts the mustard and with the tightest band I've heard in a long time he remains an artist of the highest calibre.
5. SUPERGRASS - Cambridge Corn Exchange 10.5.04.
This was part of their 10th anniversary tour and what a celebration it was. Supergrass have given us some of the finest pop records released since the mid-1990s and on the evidence of the two new tracks we heard on stage there's plenty more to come. Soundwise it took time to click in but then as we know from the Ipswich Corn Exchange these places weren't designed with music in mind! Supergrass have never let the green stuff grow under their feet and in 90 minutes took us on a memorable journey through their songbook. Sadly there was no extra time. I'd also like to mention Blockhead Chaz Jankel's evening of modern jazz at The Fleece and a string of great gigs put on by The Ipswich Jazz Club including boogie woogie pianist Ben Waters and my surprise of the year another pianist by the name of Geoff Eales. Both Ben and Geoff treated the Manor Ballroom audience to some of the best piano playing I've ever witnessed. Another of my favourite gigs was the blues mini-fest at the Suffolk County Council Social Club in Ipswich. All five bands did themselves proud and you can hear highlights on The Blues on Drivetime on BBC Radio Suffolk. Mojo and Dump That Chump share proceedings on 11th January. The Back Porch Band and Whippet can both be heard on the 18th and The Keno Kings on the 25th. A very Happy New Year to you and in the words of my good friend and colleague Alan Crumpton whatever your taste in music, keep it live. | 
