Images copyright Tony Woolway
There a few bands that could survive the demise of such a leading light and consummate performer such as Ian Dury, yet his backing band The Blockheads have survived and flourished despite such a catastrophic loss.
What The Blockheads provided for Dury was musicianship of the highest order and in particular, guitarist and keyboard player Chaz Jankel, Dury found someone who could embellish Dury’s witty and sardonic lyrics in a way never tried before in UK popular music.
A constant on the touring scene, and despite losing some unique talents on their journey, the latest version of this great band played the Acapela Studio on Friday evening, the first of two gigs planned at this splendid venue.
Featuring three of the original cast members, Chaz Jankel (guitar/keyboards), John Turnbull (guitar) and Mickey Gallagher (keyboards), the seven piece band set of in blistering fashion with their opener being one of the bands big fan favourites, the opening track on their classic debut album ‘New Boots And Panties - "Wake Up and Make Love with Me" with the excellent bassist Nathan King setting the pace, subbing for the band’s legendary Norman Watt Roy.
Stepping into the Dury role, Mike Bennett takes it all in his stride. Being the band’s main focal point, his performance was vaudevillian with great humour, connecting well with the audience and vocals uncannily Dury-like, most evidently in ‘What A Waste” and “There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards”.
Every tune played from the band’s stunning back catalogue got the full Blockhead treatment with Gallagher, Turnbull and Jankel in exceptional form whilst Dave Lewis (saxophones) and John Roberts (drums) provided great support with some screeching sax and thundering drums respectively.
Highlights in a quite special evening for this long-term Blockhead fan was a riveting “Sweet Gene Vincent” and the hit “Reasons To Be Cheerful” with the group’s anthemic “Blockheads” with it’s poke at Essex stereotypes completing the memorable evening.
They've got womanly breasts under pale mauve vests
Shoes like dead pigs' noses
Cornflake packet jacket, catalogue trousers
A mouth what never closes
- from "Blockheads" (1977)
Images copyright T Woolway/TCPhotography©