PAUL LAMB & THE BLUES BURGLARS

Songs from the 1980s re-released in 1999 on  Indigo IGOXCD 522-Z (UK), IGOXCD522 (export)
 
 

Track list: FIRING LINE YOU SURE MAKE LOVIN' HARD RAININ' IN MY HEART TIRED OF TRYING THE LAMB HEY HEY MAMA SUGAR MAMA SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER BUILT FOR COMFORT EL CAPO DON'T COUNT ME OUT HOW MANY MORE YEARS FEEL SO GOOD LATE ONE EVENING SPACED OUT DON'T START ME TALKING WHOOPIN' (A TRIBUTE TO SONNY TERRY) MOJO WORKING

 

"Contrary to American cutural norms, everyone has a history, and in terms of musical output they don't come much more colourful than that of Paul Lamb and his first band THE BLUES BURGLARS.

Together with long time blues aficionado and guitarist John Whitehill, the 5 times award winning harp player Paul Lamb was a key member of Newcastle premier blues band The Blues Burglars. This album documents a band that circa 1986 finally headed south of Watford Gap to conquer a seemingly intransigent London blues scene, before memorably making their name in Europe.

One wet and windy night some 13 years ago I received a call from the 'Clown Prince of R&B' and fine harp player Wolfie Witcher who extolled the virtues of the Burglars and in particular their harp player Paul Lamb. Bowing to his judgement, a couple of gigs were organised, and the band swept into the capital, bulldozing their way to the centre of a busy gig circuit.

It soon became apparent that this was no ordinary band.
The uncompromising 50's Chicago sound and the occasional swing style outings featured Paul Lamb's deep toned harmonica as well as John Whitehill's sinewy guitar runs. Topping the lot was one of Britain's 'unsung' vocal talents wild Billy Sharp. Big in stature, long of hair, and with a booming voice that could cross over from Howlin' Wolf to Captain Beefheart in one fell swoop, Billy's voice oozed the aching urban blues of Chicago. Billy's powerful emotive style alone gives short shrift to the theory that British Blues bands are a pale imitation of their American counterparts.

The band quickly picked up the "Best Blues Band of The Year" award from Radio London, and played several high profile gigs including an appearance with Buddy Guy & Junior Wells. Europe beckoned and it was with some of the unforgettable live gigs that the essence of the tracks took their shape.

'Firing Line', the album opener and the celebratory Big Bill Broonzy standard 'Feel So Good' were Billy's stage favourites. 'Shake Your Money Maker' might not have been the band's most original choice of material, but at this album suggests, John Whitehill's slide work and Lamb's sparkling harp used to coalesce beautifully. The latter became a showstopper along with Lamb's ode to Sonny Terry, the albums title track, 'Woopin' '.

But it was in the middle of 'Money Maker' at a packed Belgian Blues Festival that a disconsolate Sharp - first verse completed - headed out into the startled crowd to drink a table dry of its content of beer and return belatedly to the stage to thunder into the third verse and into blues oblivion. Lamb shuffled the centre stage to fill the gaps with some breathtaking harp, and Whitehill like the solid rhythm section behind him remained granite faced and steadfast. The crowd as one took to their feet and the Blues Burglars became Belgian royalty.

Sharp's sheepish grin suggested a sense of fulfilment and he responded with a moving version of Jimmy Witherspoon's 'Evening". Billy's performance on this album has rarely been bettered and shows just how good the Burglars were.

If the Blues Burglars became primarily known as a Chicago style band, Paul Lamb's swing led playing gave the outfit an extra dynamic dimension. He simultaneously embellished the band's sound with lightning harp bursts while subtly embracing a dance friendly feel that served the bad well at festivals. Paul's stylish playing on 'You Sure Make Loving Hard' and 'The Lamb' were in hindsight ahead of their time. no-one else on the live scene had this approach. 'Spaced Out' also saw the Lamb and Whitehill duo branch out into writing to provide one of the best tracks on the album.

Paul Lamb & The Blues Burglars still sound as fresh today as when it was cut 13 years ago. The album successfully struck a balance between quality production values and the live spark that served the band so well down the years. The fact that Paul Lamb has become an artist of international standing is hardly surprising, for as this album shows he learnt his craft with the best blues band of its time."   Pete Feenstra
 
 

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