Crimea - Thurs 16th March 2006 "Blush at Baz's Birthday Bash".

For anyone who wasn't there - you missed a real treat!.  Blush and Baz go back a long way to the time when he used to roadie for the band 30 years ago. They were his very first gig at the desk.  As a result of a very unfortunate incident with their previous Sound man, Baz was dropped in at the deep end in front of over 1000 people in a hall in Mansfield.  He hasn't looked back since!

So it was really fitting that he (and Jimmy) persuaded the reformed Blush to play at the Crimea on a Thursday, which is not a normal gig night.  However, the place was full, Baz put on a great buffet (including making the curry himself) and the band were steaming!  This is despite the fact that 2 weeks ago they were without a singer.  So Chris Cooper stepped in at the last minute.  With only 4 rehearsals, and never having sung any of the songs before, he pulled off a tremendous performance. 

 Blush started to get serious about gigging towards the end of last year having not played together for 25 years, but on this showing you would have thought they had never stopped.  Drums and Bass were as tight as a Duck's, the 2 very lively guitarists swapped riffs and styles all night.  Moving easily from harmony and melodic interplay into sreaming licks.  All topped off with a very confident and professional vocal performance.  The band were visibly enjoying themselves and very relaxed, which rubbed straight off onto the audience who just lapped it up all evening.  The set list was just heaving with classic songs from the R&B of Steve Marriott, through to modern day Kaiser Chiefs, with the bonus of some original material from the first Blush album "Totally Up".

Speaking to Jimmy and Baz at the end, they were both bowled over by the night.  Jimmy's comments were that he "had never heard such a varied set, played so tightly and that it was a real pleasure to be able to enjoy it from the other side of the bar for once.  My only regret is that I can't get them back until January 2007 because I am fully booked, but they will be first on the list" he said. 

Talking to the guys at the end they had loved every minute of it and they now have a real appetite for gigging again.  They asked me to pass on the message to anyone looking for bands that they are available and can be contacted through Johnny (01977 643567) or Nigel (01924 240814).  Alternatively, try Baz or Jimmy at the Crimea.