Review Centre: One Man Bands

" Rev. Ferriday And The Longdogs, Unforgettable Trues and Everyday Lies. Album Review. Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * As Donald Rumsfeld once said, so famously causing the scratching of heads in consternation and dismay, “There are known knowns and unknown knowns…” yet somehow such double talk and heroic word play should be left to Rev. Ferriday and The Longdogs, for in their new albumUnforgettable Trues and Everyday Lies, the lyrical force of nature is far and away more direct, succinct and wonderfully managed than anything a politician could scramble together. Unforgettable is a mark that deservedly belongs to the band, the memorable and the cherished going hand in hand as their deep love of the Blues comes bounding across with enthusiastic vigour and in the case of this new album, with a darker edge, with an anger of the age attached to it, still very much enjoyable but somehow more threatening, more beautifully intimidating and yet at the same time never once wavering in its commitment to allow the listener to internally dance and shake loose; the Devil after all will always allow the angels to boogie on down. Everyday lies, whether those we tell ourselves to keep us going in the face of adversity or those we pronounce to others in order to impress or deflect our feelings, each one has its symbolic value; the same is said for the true-isms, the emphasise on what is clear and unvarnished, perhaps even understated, yet at all times striking and rich. Unforgettable Trues and Everyday Lies allows the freedom of movement within the confines of Blues to be explored and with Neil Sadler on bass, Scott Hunter on drums, the fabulous Owen Bray on harmonica and Else Black lending some terrific backing vocals, Rev. Ferriday captures the mood with pin-point accuracy. In tracks such as Broken People, Breaking Down, Shooting From The Hip and How Long, the music is contagious, it sweeps through the veins like a miniature train buffeting against stereotype intuition and scraping down in blocks of perpetual indifference with ease. This is an album that emphasises the battle in the way that words are seen and felt, it takes a writer of absolute skill to make a menacing note come across as nothing less that beauty personified and yet Rev. Ferriday manages with absolute conviction. A joy to be back in the company of Rev. Ferriday and The Longdogs, a fact of life that gets better and better each time they come around. Ian D. H"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Salomé sang at our wedding and it was absolutely lovely! A very charming voice and she sang the songs I asked for perfectly - a big thank you. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fantastic entertainment! Dave was a lot of fun, a great singer and sounded like a whole band was behind him! Amazing what he can do with his keyboard not to mention his guitar! I would highly recommend him for any event you might have"

Reply by Classic Country & Oldies Rock One Man Band
Thank you for the positive review. You all were a great group. Thanks for having me.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to say a massive thank you to Matt Baxter for the absolutely incredible performance at our wedding in Kos. We’d been really looking forward to seeing him play – but he completely exceeded our expectations in every way. Matt is genuinely one of a kind – not only is he ridiculously talented, but he’s also one of the most down-to-earth and friendly people you could hope to meet. From the moment he arrived, he just got the vibe spot on and brought such a brilliant energy to the whole evening. Our guests were absolutely blown away – we’re still getting messages about how amazing he was! He took the time to learn and personalise our first dance song, along with some really special tracks for our wedding party, and it meant the world to us. You could tell how much care and preparation he put in, and it really showed. If you’re thinking about booking Matt for your wedding or any event – do it! We honestly couldn’t recommend him more highly. We will be booking him ASAP for our UK wedding party to help recreate the vibe, fun and magic of our wedding. Thank you again, Matt – you helped make our day unforgettable. 🎶💫"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gordon Rocker – Absolutely Incredible! We booked Gordon Rocker to perform at my dad’s 60th birthday last night, and wow — he completely exceeded every expectation! His energy, voice, and stage presence had everyone—from the teens to the grandparents—on their feet. He read the crowd perfectly, kept the vibe fun and upbeat, and created the most unforgettable atmosphere. So many guests came up to us saying how amazing he was and how he made the night feel truly special. My dad hasn’t stopped talking about it! If you’re looking for someone who is talented, professional, and knows how to get a party going, Gordon Rocker is THE one to book. Highly, highly recommended! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Check out the good Reverend on the internet and you’ll see this outfit described as “somewhere between Johnny Cash and Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds” with “similar artists” given as Seasick Steve and Eddie Martin – to which I might add, on the evidence of this lowdown and dirty blues CD, The Rolling Stones (60s version) and maybe vintage Canned Heat. Reverend plays guitar and drums, and he is aided and abetted by Owen Bray on guitar and blues harp, with Neil Sadler also providing bass and drum support. Ferriday started out playing indie-rock in the 80s and was working in National Debt with Michael Messer (and Bray) around the start of the millennium. This is his second album under his own name and the leader’s vocals are thick and mean, the songs direct and energetic, the sound gritty, raw, and real, with elements of the hard-driving North Mississippi hill country approach in places, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and more than a tinge of alt-blues. A thoroughly modern blues album in other words, whilst drawing from the deep well of blues tradition, check it out. Norman Darwen "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gary was wonderful. He arrived on time, dressed professionally, and adjusted to the mood of the group. He was also great to work with because the nature of our event caused us to move from room to room and he did it with ease. He also of course is a talented musician and has a great voice - he even took some requests from the group. I would not hesitate to book Gary again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Damien was perfect for our event. Right music for the wide age range."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hoping that you're on the Balmoral in September!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great voice,very good song selection. Will be booking him again for sure "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We were fortunate to have Jorg perform at our wedding, and he truly exceeded all our expectations. From the moment he began his power set at the entrance, it was clear we were in for a treat. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, setting the perfect tone for our special day. During dinner, he transitioned to a jazz set that added a sophisticated and enchanting ambiance to the evening. His talent on the saxophone is undeniable, captivating our guests and making the night even more memorable. Jorg was incredibly professional, courteous, and sweet. He worked with us to ensure everything was perfect and tailored to our preferences. We couldn't have asked for a better musician to enhance our celebration. If you're looking for a talented saxophonist who can bring both energy and elegance to your event, we highly recommend Jorg!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Total MAGIC! Ayden Graham and his band mates were so sensational for our summer soirée party. This is an ultra professional, top-notch band with incredible musicality and with really nice people to boot! They brought the musical magic to our event and made it an totally unforgettable experience. From toddlers to folks in their 80s, it was truly a good time for all. The whole process from beginning to end was extremely smooth. Ayden was very communicative and made certain he understood the meaning of the event, the tone of our crowd and then he completely over delivered! We were amazed and star-stuck and thanking our good fortune to be in the hands of someone so talented. We couldn't recommend them more highly for any event that needs great music to give it the right touch."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear David We would like to thank you for your wonderful performance at our wedding. You really helped to make the day come alive. Ourselves and the guests thought you played brilliantly. Thank you so much."

Reply by David Bailey - Guitarist
Thank you Katy and Mark for your positive review. Kind regards David

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gonzalo was absolutely fab! Everyone at the wedding was really impressed by his guitar playing and choice of songs. He was really respectful and a pleasure to have around! Would highly recommend "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Everyone really enjoyed Kenny’s musical talents. He had the right mix of music for our crowd, it was loud enough to be enjoyed while we could still carry on conversations with our neighbors. He was extremely easy to work with, and very accommodating of all of our needs. He responded very quickly, showed up on time, and did a great job. We would definitely hire him again. ~Cindy B."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: