Review: The Dirty Robbers at Telford’s Warehouse

Feb 8 2009 Chester Chronicle

THE DIRTY ROBBERS/Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 06/02/09

REVIEW/by Grahame Rhodes

ANOTHER great Friday night at Telford’s Warehouse, saw the recently formed band, The Dirty Robbers, tear through a great hour of classic blues and r&b from the 50s and 60s – led by the extremely talented Oliver Darling on guitar and vocals. He is a fine player – both as a soloist and rhythm player.

Oliver Darling is probably best known for his stint in The Cadillac Kings, and more recently in Mike Sanchez’s band – joining him are Matt Foundling (piano), Craig Rhind (bass) and Jesse Webb (drums) – together they make a most exciting sound, dominated by Darling’s guitar prowess and Foundling’s sparkling boogie piano, and the tight rhythm section – the sound helped by the fact that all add vocals as well.

An opening double blast of “Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Trees)”, once covered by Dr. Feelgood, and Richard Berry’s “Have Love, Will Travel” showed what the band are all about; with Foundling showing his piano skills on the pounding “Lonesome Woman Blues”.

A couple of blues guitar legends songs featured – the great “All Your Love” from Chicago master Magic Sam; and the stunning “Watch Out” – from the pen of Peter Green – Darling’s all-time hero, and the first track on the “Blues Jam In Chicago” release, given a rollicking going over here!

The set was actually quite varied – going from The Beatles “You Can’t Do That”, to Bo Diddley’s “Pretty Thing” and the Motown favourite from The Contours, “Do You Love Me” – with a great reading of The McCoys “Hang On Sloopy”.

This was a most impressive Chester debut for me, and definitely a band to look out for and catch again – exciting stuff, well played, and just a shame a few more could not be tempted down from the bar area for a peep at them!

GRAHAME RHODES