Riverside Blues Band Review

RIVERSIDE BLUES BAND @ Springers’ 29/07/06
I accepted the Hampshire’s Band’s invitation to be guest drummer at their gig near Lymington. From this unusual angle, I gained some unique insights into the musicians and their talents. Main concerns were my lack of practice and having to follow the regular anchorman, Bob Cockeram, whose solid, infectious backbeat is a notable feature of the band’s emerging success. My initial anxieties disappeared very quickly once on the stage for the thrilling last half-hour, from the classic ‘Key To The Highway’, to Gene Kelton’s salacious ‘My Baby Don’t Wear No Panties’, upbeat versions of ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and ‘Boom Boom’, and finally encoring ‘Big Legged Mama’. The commanding presence physically and musically of bandleader Stan Cockeram signalling the starts, solos, endings and any pauses in between with military precision made it relatively easier. Leading by example through his experience, energy and enthusiasm, ex-Runrig roadie Stan constantly encourages, cajoles and, only rarely when necessary, frowns at his colleagues. I picked up on a number of points from a perspective which might have eluded me had I been watching from the audience. First and foremost, you really get a feel for the quality of the musicianship; listening to Helen on bass whilst in the front row had been pleasant enough but it was only whilst drumming that I appreciated her immense contribution to Riverside’s tightness and discipline. The innovative and scintillating harp/guitar solos of Dennis Rigg and Julian Maddock pierce my inner soul. With the stage vibrating, lights flashing and perspiration pouring from the five of us, I was experiencing directly the strong synergy existing within bands of this calibre when octane levels and emotional energy run high. The audience rapport is another major feature I now realise I’ve only ever been able to guess whilst reporting for Blues Matters! At Springers, the swingers were out in force, most of them crowded the small dance floor, gyrating wildly and shouting their appreciation, this in itself unusual for a Blues show. Not so for Riverside gigs, however, as the band draws from a wide range of sources including Dr Feelgood, Fab. Thunderbirds and SRV. This is no tribute band, original arrangements, epitomised by ‘Highway 61 Revisited’, the improvisations many and varied and both the mood and music changeable; light and subtle one minute, explosive and dynamic next. The whole experience was a roller coaster ride through snapshots of the history of rhythm and Blues and rock and roll and by the time I stepped off that stage I was drained both physically and emotionally.
Dave Scott.



Home Upcoming Gigs The Set List Personnel Jamming Contact Publicity Gallery Links	From the Blues Matters! Website... For those of you unaware, Blues Matters! is the UKs premier Blues magazine See the original review by clicking here... RIVERSIDE BLUES BAND @ Springers’ 29/07/06 I accepted the Hampshire’s Band’s invitation to be guest drummer at their gig near Lymington. From this unusual angle, I gained some unique insights into the musicians and their talents. Main concerns were my lack of practice and having to follow the regular anchorman, Bob Cockeram, whose solid, infectious backbeat is a notable feature of the band’s emerging success. My initial anxieties disappeared very quickly once on the stage for the thrilling last half-hour, from the classic ‘Key To The Highway’, to Gene Kelton’s salacious ‘My Baby Don’t Wear No Panties’, upbeat versions of ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and ‘Boom Boom’, and finally encoring ‘Big Legged Mama’. The commanding presence physically and musically of bandleader Stan Cockeram signalling the starts, solos, endings and any pauses in between with military precision made it relatively easier. Leading by example through his experience, energy and enthusiasm, ex-Runrig roadie Stan constantly encourages, cajoles and, only rarely when necessary, frowns at his colleagues. I picked up on a number of points from a perspective which might have eluded me had I been watching from the audience. First and foremost, you really get a feel for the quality of the musicianship; listening to Helen on bass whilst in the front row had been pleasant enough but it was only whilst drumming that I appreciated her immense contribution to Riverside’s tightness and discipline. The innovative and scintillating harp/guitar solos of Dennis Rigg and Julian Maddock pierce my inner soul. With the stage vibrating, lights flashing and perspiration pouring from the five of us, I was experiencing directly the strong synergy existing within bands of this calibre when octane levels and emotional energy run high. The audience rapport is another major feature I now realise I’ve only ever been able to guess whilst reporting for Blues Matters! At Springers, the swingers were out in force, most of them crowded the small dance floor, gyrating wildly and shouting their appreciation, this in itself unusual for a Blues show. Not so for Riverside gigs, however, as the band draws from a wide range of sources including Dr Feelgood, Fab. Thunderbirds and SRV. This is no tribute band, original arrangements, epitomised by ‘Highway 61 Revisited’, the improvisations many and varied and both the mood and music changeable; light and subtle one minute, explosive and dynamic next. The whole experience was a roller coaster ride through snapshots of the history of rhythm and Blues and rock and roll and by the time I stepped off that stage I was drained both physically and emotionally. Dave Scott.