Paul Williams Blue Thunder - The Torrington - 1st April 2001

If you were asked for a list of British Blues vocalists, rare is the list that would feature Paul Williams for his musical profile is as visible as the Loch Ness monster. It hasn't always been that way and rightly he should placed in the same breath as Burdon and Farlowe, but it take as awful long memory to conjure up what Williams is capable of. Way back in the mists of time Zoot Money's Big Roll Band featured Andy So(um)mers and Paul Williams and recorded "Live At Klooks Kleek" a sweaty British soul testament every bit on par with the Action. "I've Been Trying" was one of their finest moments and while not exactly the swooping, tender and finessed "Impressions" version every bit as emotionally charged. Another superb example was Williams's contribution to Aynsley Dunbar's Blue Whale on the outstanding "Days". Followed by a three album stint with Juicy Lucy with Micky Moody, the Robert Johnson tribute album with various Brit blues luminaries and the obligatory period with Mayall. 1994 saw the release of Blue Thunder's hard rock-based "Blues and Beyond" album featuring Micky Moody, Mick Taylor and Andy Summers and here we are a week off release of their new CD.

Material wise, Blue Thunder is not exactly going win awards for either for originality or modernity, as a good slice of material could well be classed vintage. It is however a positive joy to hear a vocalist that can not only sing properly (seemingly not requisite for the job currently), but has variation and an understanding of dynamics. All those long lost attributes spring to mind such as lightness, shade, power, sensitivity. It may be waxing poetic but "Soul" is not the progeny of technical capability, but simply, what and how you emote, ask any communicator like Carr, Franklin or Redding.

The whole point though is the spirit and verve with which the music's attacked. This is not a bunch of old dodderers going through the motions, there's big stupid grins over the band's face's, because they're having a ball, they're enjoying themselves and that very approach infects the music they play. Take for instance Ronnie Johnson maniacally cackling away at Williams as he riff's like a lunatic through Zappa's "Willie The Pimp" (which Williams covered on "Blue Whale") before an absolutely ferocious and off the wall guitar solo. The Geoff Dunne, (gulp) drum solo! which displayed exactly how good he is, rather than sending you off, barward bound. Johnson's sidekick Roy Shipston from Green's "Little Dreamer" and "Whatcha' Gonna' Do" days is an addition of only one gig's maturity (not that you'd notice) and whilst he still has that reflective sound ("When You've Got a Good friend" or "Gin House Blues") was not averse to cranking it up to a more full-blooded organ sound on "Win or Lose".

Whether it's rocking out to "Full Circle" or playing down-home and unplugged on the Robert Johnson material ("When You've Got A Good Friend", "Come On In My Kitchen" and "Terraplane Blues") one thing it isn't, is boring. Cutting edge Amor-like it's not, but if you like listening to five consummate musicians playing music they enjoy, Blue Thunder must be one of the best way's to make an evening fly by.

Written by: Brad website: www.blues-uk.com