Saw big al & the boys Sunday at Sally b's, a venue which hosts great bands every Sunday, but for me this was the best afternoon of the year, the boys were on top form, the crowd loved every minute, fantastic afternoon,

Had the pleasure of watching Big Al & the blistering Buicks at the Horn in Watford. What an amazing afternoon of live music. Al is a true showman & the band make sure everyone there has a good time, I'd like to give a special mention to their super smiler drummer whose cheery face makes you realise that the band have just as much fun playing as the audience that watch them do . They play a variety of music to suit all tastes & ages & I highly recommend you go down & catch these guys doing a gig- you won't be disappointed

Keep rocking on guys!

Had the most enjoyable afternoon listening and dancing to Big Al and the Blistering Buicks. They played such a variety of music they catered for all tastes. Alan is a brilliant front man, great singing voice and so loved the saxophone. The blistering Buicks great musicians and I really enjoyed watching and listening to them,

Can definetly recommended going to see this band you will not be disappointed , I will be going to see them again.

Just a short note to say A Big Thank You to Big Al and the band for a great afternoons entertainment.

The fact you'd learnt 20 new songs just for that gig is a credit to your professionalism. You had the whole of pub up and jiving.

Sally B's is lovely little venue and it suited you guys perfectly.

Hope to catch you again.

Steve (guitarist with The Bluerays)

Big Al Reed is a big, big man and looks an imposing figure as he fronts his band of virtuoso musicians. Standing 6 feet 4 inches in his stocking feet Big Al is vastly experienced in the world of showbiz.

After starting out as a drummer he became a full-time comedian performing in clubs, theatres, cruise ships and on the after-dinner speaker circuit. He was the warm-up man for Des O'Connor's Take Your Pick and has been support act for many major stars. But for the last few years Big Al has returned to his first love of music and right now he fronts the Blistering Buicks.

These guys can really play as they demonstrated on their opening number, the Booker T classic "Green Onions", at plush Sally B's upstairs bar. The five band members gave it their own personal musical stamp with fantastic solos by twin lead guitarists Leigh Heggarty (currently also working with the Ruts dc) and Pete Kerr.

Big Al then stepped on stage and his charisma and humour quickly shone through. Commenting on the small attendance at the start he quipped: "You could have all just come to my front room". His humour makes a refreshing change from many acts who simply tell you the title of the next song or say nothing at all.

What is so enjoyable about Big Al and the Blistering Buicks is that the song choice is anything but predictable. The Henry Mancini/Duane Eddy instrumental "Peter Gunn" (featuring Big Al on tenor sax), Bruce Springsteen's little-known "Shackled And Drawn" and the Travelin' Wilburys' "Handle With Care" are not the run-of-the-mill numbers you hear from most pub and club acts yet they include the 'regulars' too like, the Rolling Stones' stomper "Brown Sugar" (which the entire band performed to perfection), Johnny Kidd and the Pirates'" Shakin' All Over" and Muddy Waters' blues standard "Hoochie Coochie Man".

Big Al and the Blistering Buicks presented one of the most enjoyable shows I've seen in months. The tight rhythm section comprises bass player Terry Peaker and 'smiling' drummer David Atkinson; while keyboard man Chris Holmes (a former member of hit sixties' band Timebox) adds some magic on piano and the Hammond organ.

Other highlights of their show at Sally Bs were a 'blistering' performance of REM's Everybody Hurts; a rousing country number -- Big & Rich's Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy; and, most unusually, the 1978 punk number Jilted John.

Big Al and the boys are one of the best bands on the circuit. Do try to catch them if they come to a venue near you.

Colin Fenn, DJ, journalist