Moonstone at the Boot and Shoe, Ackworth , Pontefract. 18th August 2002

Appearing at this oasis of good music by the grace of Les Thompson, landlord of the Boot and Shoe, were the very special band of musicians by the name of Moonstone .

This band were a surprise to me, I had never heard of them before and I certainly didn't expect to hear the fantastic repertoire they had to offer on this lovely August afternoon at the Boot and Shoe.

Due to circumstances beyond my control (OK…I was late again) I missed the first set of the afternoon, which by all accounts was a great experience and included eight numbers.

The second set started with Vas Dies, then with great aplomb, the Band ambitiously attempted the Be Bop Deluxe classic, Maid In Heaven and with much success, partly due to the fact that the band's keyboard/saxophonist, Ian Nelson is the brother of the celebrated Be Bop Deluxe prime mover, Bill Nelson. (Bill is widely regarded as the guitarist's guitarist and recently starred in the Stuart Adamson <Big Country> Memorial concert.)

Moving on through the set, the band was obviously and greatly influenced by Wishbone Ash, the classic twin guitar British progressive/rock/blues group. This manifested itself with the inclusion of Throw Down The Sword and Sometime World . The Boot and Shoe regulars, many of whom are band members themselves, appreciated this excellent band and unusually, clapped with a reverence rarely seen in this warm and friendly venue.

At the end of the set the band were met with uncompromising cheers for an encore. The band responded with the Jimmy Rodgers song, Walkin' (By Myself) a number more usually credited to Gary Moore. This version was a very special rendition indeed. The band's guitarist…virtuoso guitarist that is, Chris Auld, was stunning and included “baroque” style licks within the normal heavy blues solos. His brother Steve Auld was drumming magnificently and keeping the beat with Bassist/Vocalist, John Nixon. Ian Nelson's keys and Sax filled out this great number whilst the Boot and Shoe's clientele nodded to the beat. They wanted more still and the band again responded with the Wishbone Ash classic Blowin' Free . This was a very accurate version of The Ash's song and a superb showcase of the musicianship of Moonstone. Most people thought this would be the last song but after some prompting by the Landlord Les Thompson, I asked the band if they would do a blues just so I could write about them in this fine journal and bring you, the readers, news of this excellent band, Moonstone.

The band very graciously played an improvised blues which included more “baroque” style soloing from Chris Auld and some wonderful saxophone from Ian Nelson, the one time member of Bolt from the Blue.

If you feel a need to see this band, you can catch up with them at a gig which should be posted on their website. This is linked through the www.wishboneash.com website. Go to Moonstone on the links. You will be able to read a great story of Chris Auld standing in for one of the Wishbone Ash guitarists. It's a great story and one that will be enjoyable to aspiring guitarists throughout the land! The links to Wishbone Ash must be very strong indeed as Wishbone's Tour Manager herself was in attendance and if fact provided me with much information about Moonstone.

The gig was another of those “out of the blue” special discoveries. I'm so pleased I attended, as I would have missed a great up-and-coming band. Thanks Lads, and good luck for the future.

Steve Lally ©