Frank White Band : The Boot and Shoe, Ackworth, Pontefract

24 th April 2002

It's a little known fact that The Boot and Shoe is the centre of the Rock and Blues Universe. Promoted by the genial entrepreneur Les Thompson, this excellent venue is very well subscribed to and deserves to do well. It actually does do very well. This is due mainly to Les Thompson and the choice of the bands he promotes.

This gig alone serves to illustrate that point. Frank White has an enviable reputation in the North of England but is also an International Star, having played all around the world, including Russia . I had looked forward to this gig for some time as I knew how good The Frank White Band are. However I had forgotten just how good Frank was! On this night I was pleasantly reminded!

After the excellent support band Doctor Blue had finished their slot, Mine Host, Les Thompson asked the audience to welcome The Frank White Band to the stage. Frank and the Boys immediately went into a boogie intro for the song Good Rockin' Tonight . Frank was alternating between the neck and bridge hot-rail pick-ups of his white Squire Strat, which gives a real cutting edge sound through his vintage Fender Pro Reverb Combo. Frank's son Joel was laying down the Hammond-style organ from the versatile Korg X5D keys. The overall sound was brilliant.

As Joel pulsed into the next song, Frank and the rhythm section took us in to a swing groove to play Lowell Fulston's Reconsider Baby . A great version it was too! Joel White's Hammond-style solo was a joy to behold. He has been playing great keyboard since he was 15 years old and I am a great fan of his. Not to be out-done, Frank engaged his Turbo Overdrive stomp box for a superb high register guitar solo. It made me realise just why I love this guy's music so much!

Frank then told the audience he fancied doing a Chuck Berry song, and I couldn't remember what it was entitled! It was actually Frank's version of Let it Rock . Joel again came up with the goods in the super keyboard solo. These are not short versions either. You know when you've been rocked when you come to a Frank White gig!

There was some conjecture on stage between the members of the band as to who wrote the next song. This was Love Hurts . Jim Capaldi has covered it, The Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison have also sang it, but tonight Frank White sang it in his own way. Have I mentioned Frank's voice? No, I haven't so far. Take it from me; Frank White has a voice to die for. His earthy vocals are superb. Very few artists have a package like Frank White. His guitar playing is top class as well as this brilliant singing voice.

Frank is also a dab-hand at writing too. This became apparent as he launched into Took a Chance On You from his 1988 King Fish label album, “ FRANK WHITE” . It sounded as fresh as the day he first played it and selected the neck pick-up for another impressive solo.

An old blues staple was next up by the name of Money Honey (Ry Cooder) then followed by Junior Walker's Train, Train …… sixteen coaches long …..oh sorry…. I got carried away! Both these songs were played with the FW Magic touch, and were really enjoyable. Speaking of the FW Magic, I would think the most requested song on Frank's repertoire would be Randy Newman's Louisiana 1927 . Frank has made this song all but his own and played it to the Boot and Shoe's audience as well as he has ever done. It's a fantastic rendition of a brilliant song.

From Frank's 1994 CD “ DOG IT ” (KINGFISH RECORDS Cat No KFCD2) the band played Mohair Sam . This fine old song showcases Frank's versatility and was again backed by his very competent backing musicians.

After this excellent moment in time, Frank asked the audience for requests. I shouted, “ Who's Been Talkin' ” meaning the Howlin' Wolf number. I was thrilled to bits when he played my request, as I love this song. Joel White's Korg floated the song on a Hammond/Leslie style wave of sound while the brilliant rhythm section laid down the foundation of this Howlin Wolf classic number. With Frank's earthy vocals and his overdriven guitar this song was a highlight for me. It again showed Frank White's versatility as he first played the Jazz style solo on the neck pick-up, and then his second solo using the bridge pick-up almost blew the windows out. Fantastic!

We were now about to listen to the twelfth song of the evenings fare and this was one of my wife's favourites. This being, Just a Little Bit . The jaunty repetitive riff is eight notes long and really drives this song. I noticed my dear wife was rocking along to this; she just adores this Frank White version of the song. Rory Gallagher had a version of this on the Irish Tour 74 album but as much as I love Rory's playing, I prefer Frank's version of this rocky number.

Moving on again, and more versatility was shown with the inclusion of Summertime -yes that's right-, and the living is easy ! Played to a reggae beat, this song also encapsulated both a Jazz solo and a rock solo, engage turbo drive, over some superb reggae keyboard playing, it's a brilliant song. The arrangement is very clever too.

From the ”Dog It” CD the band played Baby Hold On . This was a high-energy number where the brilliant drummer Dean Rawlins became very animated! His accomplice was Bassist Chris Firminger. Looking very futuristic with a Kojak hairstyle and wraparound spectacles, Chris did a great job on his white Fender Bass. In fact his playing was top class, he is a really cool bass player.

For the Encore, the familiar riff of Sunshine of Your Love rang out to the warm reception of the Boot and Shoe audience. What a great version it was too! As the song progressed to the solo, it showed again Frank's inventive guitar style mixing different flavours to the overall sound till a Hendrix style won out. As Sunshine reached the end, the band almost seamlessly went in to the equally familiar chords of Hey Joe . This Hendrix classic was a fitting end to a great night of music. I was reminded just how good The Frank White Band were. There are many excellent bands on the blues circuit these days, both domestic and international. I can assure you that this band can cut it with the very best of them.