Midlanders bring Mazimum R&B

The Maz Mitrenko Band returned to The Minstrel at Eaves Green and entertained a packed house with a potent mix of classic blues and rock.

That included original material from these three exceptional musicians, who had travelled from the heart of the West Midlands.

They always give a fantastic show and from the start took command of the proceedings.

The first set kicked off with Freddie King’s classic Going Down followed by Deja Blues, their first of six original numbers.

The first set also included Tattooed Lady from Rory Gallagher, a second self-penned number called Drifter, Bo Diddley’s Accuse Me, a brilliant rendition of Steve Earle’s Copperhead Road and an echo from the 70s with Bridge Of Sighs from Robin Trower.

The atmosphere was almost tangible as the crowd settled in for the second set. All Along the Watchtower started things off with wongreat guitar work from Maz, and I expected nothing less. There was also a good combination from the engine room, with Pete Vickers on bass and Phil Brittle on drums.

Rory Gallagher’s Calling Card was again a marvellous rendition followed by Mississippi Delta, and another original song with So Long Chicago, which features on their next CD.

The heat was turned up as the band played the Muddy Waters hit Hoochie Coochie Man, with Misty Mountain Blue (co-written with Doug Jones) and the last of the band’s original works, Walk on Hot Coals from Rory
Gallagher.

The show finished on a high with a Hendrix double of Hey Joe and Purple Haze, a crescendo of sound from the very able Maz Mitrenko band.

Keith Blackledge