Gig Review
John Pearson & Jem Turpin
Saturday, 20 October 2007:
This was the second visit to Bluesnights by this highly talented duo. Once again, the first set featured John Pearson's custom built long-necked baritone twelve string guitar, with its two extra frets and specially made pickup. The tone on it is so good; at times producing almost a cathedral-like resonance - which has to be heard to be believed. He also used a vintage six-string Guild in the second set, which had a sharp, clear and bright sound.
Together, John and Jem Turpin played an interesting mix of Bob Dylan, Gospel, Leadbelly and their own (mostly John’s) compositions. John has a wonderfully fluid playing style, marked by seemingly effortless cord changes and excellent finger picking. They started off with a superb Davey Graham arrangement of Leadbelly’s "Leaving Blues", followed by a beautiful haunting riff on "Death Dream Blues". His own composition, "Fires On The Wind", documenting his experience of forest fires in Portugal, was very haunting. A very old English ballad, "Pretty Polly" was really lovely, as was "Chicago Reel" with its Irish lilt. Jem Turpin’s harp playing is never too loud or dominant. It’s just always there but nicely understated, and fitting perfectly with the guitar and rounding the overall sound out just right.
Note: Click thumbnail to view full artist image.
Photo credit: Paul Martin.
... continued
The second set was again a good mixture of RnB and Blues. Utilising the brighter-sounding Guild guitar, John & Jem played Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell’s "Blues Before Sunrise". A very well executed slow blues - as was the follow-on of Freddy King’s "Love Her With A Feeling"; very tight and fluid. Then a good rocking version of Little Junior Parker’s "Mystery Train". The arrangement of the Delmore Brothers’ "Deep River Blues" was fantastic! Excellent picking and a clear sharp sound! They performed a gorgeous version of that old stalwart "Alberta". Clarence Lofton’s "Steam Line Blues" was excellent and for an encore they played "Make Me A Pallet on Your Floor" that was absolutely superb.
The audience – many of whom had chosen this Bluesnight over the Rugby World Cup final on TV! - enjoyed a thoroughly good evening of excellent music. One that comes highly recommended by me.
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
20 October 2007.
