Thursday May 8th: A beautiful summer's evening finds me at another good local venue - Bewdley's 'Cock and Magpie' - being entertained by the excellent new Blues and R&B band Mojo Hand.

It wasn't exactly a gathering of the beautiful people - except for the barmaids - more a gaggle of hoary, old, musicians. But what a night! My main interest was to watch my old side-kick and former 'Apper Clarse' drummer, Roger Steward. But he's found some really talented guys to work with. If you're into the original Fleetwood Mac, or were lucky enough to get off to them at Frank Freeman's, you would love these guys! Stunning versions of the likes of "High Heel Sneakers" were no problem to these boys! Roger treated us to his usual rock-solid performance, and gave his black Sonor kit a right good twatting - as well as throwing in a couple of throat-busting lead vocals. Bass player 'Snowy' spoilt us with some solid, thudding, bottom-end lines - courtesy of his Music Man bass - and some nice, throaty, vocals. One of two lead players, Alex, is an interesting guy! He looks unsettlingly like the late, great, John Peel at first glance, but I'm told he's some sort of electronics wizard. He actually made the two 'Bluetone' amps that he and other guitarist, Dave, used on the gig! Alex played a Gibson Firebird to stunning effect, and proved a whizz at nice traditional Blues and R&B licks. He can also sing - and did the business on, amongst others, the "High Heel Sneakers" I alluded to earlier. Other guitarist - note I didn't say 2nd lead or rhythm - Dave was quite different in style. He played his white ESP - think of an upgraded Fender Stratocaster - magnificently. Using a nice finger style technique with chorus effect and delicate use of the wang bar - tremelo arm to us ancients - his contrasting style nestled in beautifully with Alex's raucous runs! So with three lead vocalists; some excellent, under-stated, harmony vocals - a-la-Steward - and an interesting play list, it was hard to believe that this was the lads' first gig. Good vocal sound, courtesy of a Carlsboro mixer amp and speaker set-up, the boys pulled off that difficult trick of a full, solid, sound - but not harsh or deafeningly annoying! The venue is also worth other bands checking out. The long, thin, room with good acoustics, and the bar off to one side, meant the group could keep it exciting for the crowd - but not annoy the hell out of the lovely bar staff. Verdict? With a definite thumbs up from the three lead guitarists in attendance: Gary Oswell of Bluestack; Rich Rydell from Dave Donovan's Driver; ex-Chain lead player Andy Hill and...oh, yes, little old me - Mojo Hand are definitely on the right track. Check out the 'Cock and Magpie' - check out this band. They've got a website, but don't do like I did and link into the Mojo Hand from Uzbekistan, or somewhere Russian, by mistake. If you do, that's not Roger Steward after a heavy night out - they are fronted by a hefty, weight-lifter, type woman. Scarey stuff!!