The Paul Cox Band at the Warrington R&B Club on Friday, 4th October 2002

Arranging a sufficient number of gigs to justify the cost and time of a substantial amount of travelling is all too often the bane of musicians. Consequently, blues fans are routinely denied the pleasure of seeing top performers who are based in distant regions. It was exciting to learn therefore that Paul Cox was due to make a rare visit to the north west of England.

Paul Cox is currently one of the finest singers on the UK blues and soul circuits, his tremendous voice combining impressive power with superb modulation. As a huge bonus, he is also backed by a band of high calibre, widely experienced musicians: Gary Moberley (keyboard), Mike Summerland (guitar), Al Maclow (bass guitar) and Tommy O’Donnell (drums).

The first set at Warrington opened with a fine array of styles: the upbeat rocker “That’s The Way I Feel”, the soulful “Pouring Water”, Delbert McClinton’s “Shaky Ground” and “Mailbox Blues”, a slow shuffle that featured excellent keyboard and guitar solos. We were then treated to some upbeat soul with “Ain’t Nothin’ Doin’” and Frankie Miller’s beautiful ballad “This Love of Mine”, which had been written as a tribute to Otis Redding and which Paul Cox performed superbly as a tribute to the composer. “Real World”, the excellent title track of the band’s latest album, led into a medium-paced shuffle, “Dangerous Mood”, and “Paper Thin” an upbeat rocker penned by the prolific John Hiatt, before the brilliant first set was concluded with the slow blues “Cold, Cold Feeling”.

The second set bounced into life with “Walkin’ On Sunset” and the upbeat “Brickyard Blues”, complete with slide guitar accompaniment. A great version of “Help Me” gave way to “First To Cry”, a slow blues ballad, the delivery of which ably matched the original performance by Bobby Bland. “Rolling Back The years” and “Damn Your Eyes” contrasted nicely with the funky “Heart of Stone”, which was graced with another fine solo by Mike Summerland. The set was brought to a rousing conclusion with a cracking version of Van Morrison’s “Domino”.

Two beautifully contrasted encores added icing to the already delicious cake: “Take Me To The River”, with more magic from Gary Moberley on keys, and a wonderful rendition of “Stormy Monday”. Very appropriately, the audience continued to express their profound appreciation for what had been a thoroughly enjoyable evening of top quality entertainment. And did Paul Cox think that the trip was worth the effort? I have more than a sneaking feeling that he did.


Lionel Ross

Blues in Britain

You can guarantee they will put on a first class show, that will feature some of the UK's finest R&B artists. They only put on the best acts who do not disappoint, you are sure to have a great night out at The Warrington R & B Club. The club has a great vibe and the beers cheap, make sure you are at their next gig...