 Greenie to tour with John Mayall We recently caught up with top blues guitarist and Lemonrock member Paul Green, who has exciting news!
LR: Greenie, we hear that you are about to start a major UK tour supporting The Father of the Blues, John Mayall - how did this come about?
PG: Well, I've been working for about three or four years with Andy Sharrocks. He writes the songs and I help him arrange them. Then I record him in my studio. These are, by then, mastered demos. We just finished recording his latest album at Sensible Studios in Brewery Road, North London. Jon Moon was the producer. He normally does people like Amy Winehouse and The Kooks. You can hear some of the new album on Andy's myspace site.
LR: What kind of crowds do you expect to be playing to?
PG: They are normally lovely crowds, often all ages, and obviously very pleased to see John Mayall. John is, I think 74 now and still going strong. He has no airs and graces about being a huge star. He often travels with the gear and road crew. I've seen him carrying his own gear into venues. Of course Buddy Whittington is a huge draw too.
He does quite a few gigs around on his own, normally with a few of Peter Green's Splinter band.
LR: Is this your first tour with such a "Great"?
PG: No, we support him quite a lot. He did have Stan Webb and Chicken Shack up till a couple of years back, but we've been doing it since they went. We have also supported Mick Taylor, Alabama 3, The Strawbs, Hank Wangford, Buddy Whittington and one or two I can't remember.
I think we are popular because we cause little disruption for the main band. Because we are very acoustic like, we can virtually walk on and play.
LR: Will you be keeping a diary or blog during your tour?
PG: I don't normally do that. I tend to keep small bits of memorabilia. Posters maybe or old fivers I find lying around. Only joking! I might break with tradition and keep one this time. I could put it up on Lemonrock when we get back.
LR: We look forward to it! How many dates are you playing, and how far up and down the country are you touring?
PG: Nine altogether I think. Starting at the Glasgow O2. That's after the Wembley gig with BB King on Sunday 28th June. We don't do that one cos it's a three hour gig. The logistics kind of go North to South. Scotland to Cornwall so to speak. Don't think there's one in Cornwall though. You know what I mean.
All the gigs are all in the Lemonrock gig guide. Some have been dropped and there may be one or two added.
John goes off to Spain after that I believe. I don't think we're invited on that stretch of the tour.
LR: What's the best way for people to keep in touch with your tour, and your music?
PG: That would be Lemonrock of course! It covers the whole country and is I understand the most revered site for music information on the web.
I discovered Lemonrock about three years ago and I've been a member ever since. It's been great for me.
LR: We're really pleased to hear that! Thanks for your time, Greenie, and best of luck with your highly prestigious tour!
[9 Jun 09] [from our archives - more than 1 year old]
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