The Worried Men made their first appearance at The New Inn in Witney last night and, once again proved that landlord Martin has a unique skill in finding fantastically good musicians for this very popular music venue! This three piece band delivered two blistering sets of outstanding quality from start to finish. Even after two encores, everyone knew that they would have happily continued well into the small hours!
We should have realized by seeing the instruments that were on stage before the gig started that the crowd were in for a rockin' good treat. The two Gibsons, a Flying V and a Les Paul SGJ, supported by the serious-wattage Marshall stack and the Yamaha 6 string bass and a Stagg upright double bass all warned that serious music was about to be made. And, oh boy, it was exactly that!
The band opened up with a stormin' group of non-stop rockin' tracks which totally captivated the crowd in seconds, including: The Beatles' "Money" and The Kinks' "You Really Got Me". Even the couple of slower blues standards were revamped in a refreshingly unique style, but it was the rock classics such as "Bye Bye Johnny", "Like a Hurricane", and "Red Rooster" all played seamlessly and in a challengingly fast tempo which went down a storm.
Not only having great chat with the audience, Jamie - on lead guitar and vocals - walked right up and into the crowd where we were amazed wondering how on earth his fingers flowed so fast over the frets? His lightning speed finger work on Sabre Dance just doesn't look possible!
Kevin worked similar magic on his 6 string bass and wowed everyone with his exposition on the rarely seen electronic double bass. Drummer Adam Colwell, who had traveled all the way from Poole for the gig, gave the mesmerized crowd an inspirational masterclass solo performance on how drums should be played! The list of international band stars that Jamie and Worried Men have played with reads like a dictionary of the all the best that music can provide. A visit to their website at www.theworriedmen.com is recommended.
The Worried Men are definitely in the very top bands ever to have appeared at the revered New Inn in Witney. This gig was a real eye-opening example of what exceptional, professional musicians do - make seriously, awesomely enjoyable music, setting the standards to which many aspire!
If you weren't there you missed more than a treat - you missed a rare lifetime's experience. Let's hope Martin will recall The Worried Men back to The New Inn for an encore that you really must not miss next time! Their sound is top quality, loud, rockin', melodic music at its professional best.
Please Sir I want more!
A music fan
Monday 20 February 2012