lightnin' willie and the poorboys
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lightnin' willie and the poorboys

Monrovia, California, United States | INDIE

Monrovia, California, United States | INDIE
Band Blues Americana

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"Nottingham UK"

Lightnin' Willie and the Poorboys always give a good value but this gig was something else. They played a long first set, with the whole band going flat out - drummer Tony Burt (his dad plays for Chas and Dave) hitting a huge groove, Spy pulling all the stops out on bass and Giles King excelling on harp (fusing Big and Little Walter with Sonny Boy Williamson in a style all his own - Willie calls him a world class player and he should know and the man himself Lightnin' Willie entertaining us from the tips of his fingers to the top of his hat.

Half time came and with a horrible 'pop' the electrics went down - the whole block was in darkness - but nothing daunted them - the whole band treated us to a wholly acoustic 2nd set of 45 minutes or so, not an easy thing to do but they did it with flair and considerable charm. Those present will not forget such big-hearted professionalism in a hurry.

Under the rather trying circumstances, this has to be gig of the year so far! How many performers could or would turn things around so triumphantly? Thanks to Willie and the boys in the band for a superb evening against all odds!

Dave Kingsbury - Dave Kingsbury


"Colne Festival UK"

Lightnin' Willie and the Poorboys are a four-piece tonight, led by Texan Willie, vocal and guitar, complete with Stetson. They kicked off at a phenomenal pace and an excellent harp solo from Giles King enhanced this and several other numbers. The programme consisted mostly of originals: "The Train don't stop here Snymore", "Tears, Tears, Ttears", "Who's been Talkin' ", "Where does Love go", "Take a little Walk". At this point Willie picked up his national steel for a heartfelt story song "25 Dollars", which got a great reception, as did "Don't Bite the Hand that Feeds you". Lookin' out my Widow", "See the Sun Goin' Down" and "Couldn't do Nothing", a rockabilly blues, which rounded out a well received set.

Bob Groom Blues in Britain - October 2005 - Blues in Britain


"Barrels UK"

I CAME expecting a blues band – I have to admit I knew nothing about either Lightnin' Willie or the Poor Boys prior to the gig - but left having taken part in an experience that I will probably never forget, neither will the other lucky souls who were there.

It was as if the James gang had rode into town, shot it up a bit and then rode of again leaving shell-shocked townspeople not quite sure of what they had witnessed, who were those masked men? All that was missing was a barroom brawl where the old cowpoke, the one with no teeth, gets thrown through the window closely followed by a chair (which was lucky as there aren't any windows) and somebody rushing in and shouting 'Gold'. To say it was a toe-tapping evening would be to miss the other parts of the body that shook, almost uncontrollably, at times.

Sadly Johnny Cash - to whom Lightnin Willie paid fitting tribute with a moving rendition of Fulsom Prison Blues is in poor health but if the 'Man In Black' torch has to be passed on, then Lightnin' Willie (I didn't discover his real name it seemed irrelevant, Lightnin' Willie fitted perfectly) is a worthy successor.

His hard riding, hard drinking style of country/rock blues is the soundtrack to the opening of a moonshine still, it's uncompromising, unyielding and almost primal. If you weren't an outlaw before then a night in his company could make the prospect appealing. With the lead work shared, perhaps not equally, between the guitar of Willie and the harmonica of Giles King, a warm Barrels quickly became a furnace. As Willie and the UK branch of the Poor Boys launched into (as in rocket) Couldn't Do Nothing and Eyes In The Back Of My Head there was no preamble just a Texan drawled 'howdy' and off we went. I realized quickly why they were called the Poor Boys, they had to keep up with Willie all night.

In fact this is the perfect time to mention the Poor Boys, all have been with Willie for some time and all are extremely talented musicians in their own right. Anchoring proceedings was drummer Franck Rouleau and this must be one of those rare occasions when if the drummer had been any less talented then he would have been invisible. Bass player Spy (the only name I could get from him) was, by common consent, quite possibly the best bass player to grace Barrels, as well as providing the foundation to the night he supplied shade, texture and colour. Almost imperceptably his contribution became more and more noticeable. His finest moments came not during his 'solo' on the 'meet the band' Can't Be Satisified. by then we already knew how good he was. His moment came on I'm Crying and Don't Cry Mama, he played beautifully while mayhem was being wreaked around him by Willie and Giles King.

But this was night of rock n roll, from the return to the 50s with Take A Little Walk, the funky, bluesy, Whole World of Trouble and a quite staggering Muddy Waters segue of Sail On/Can't Get No Grinding. At this point the night's efforts reached a description-defying crescendo.

But you tend to find that the best musicians always have another facet to them, the ferocity is underpinned by a gentler side and while Whole Lot Of Trouble was more laid back it was dark and slightly menacing, a Micky Spillane story told in song.

But how good a guitarist was Lightnin' Willie? The answer is very good, there will be a million ways to play the intro to Sail On, this one stopped and very nearly dropped the audience where they stood.

Throughout the night screaming guitar followed screaming guitar, Willie played as he performed and by the end there was nothing left in the locker. As with Spy, Lightnin Willie's crowning achievement was not the loudest song and probably not the most difficult it arrived when he wandered around the audience with his steel guitar improvising a bluegrass tune, even stopping to pour a beer. It was not that he did it well – the playing that is - his musical talent was never in doubt. it was the amount of pure love he poured into it. However this was not an unrequited love, his guitar responded as a willing partner.

This was never going to be case of leaving the best to last but the encore of Pride and Joy and Bye Bye left the audience happy and slightly deafened, the perfect way to take the memory of Lightnin' Willie and the Poor Boys home. Let's hope that Lightnin' strikes twice.

Michael Mee (with thanks to). - Michael Mees


"Stanley Blues Festival UK"

Back on the main stage things were livening up with some fiery Texas blues' n boogie from Lightnin' Willie and the Poorboys. Willie was backed by the musicians from the "Lucky as the Devil" recording sessions: the excellent Giles King on harp, live wire Spy on bass and Franck Rouleau on drums. This meant that they had the songs from the album off pat, and they worked together very well on the other stuff too. Willie certainly knows how to work an audience, and had the dance floor packed. At one point, there were even more band members in the audience than there were on stage, since they were using radio pick-ups. This did not always help the sound, however, but overall it was a highly entertaining show and a very hard act to follow.

Mike Mager (Blues in Britain) - Blues In Britian


Discography

1. Lightnin' Willie and the Poorboys
2. Buy American
3. Got It Live If You Want It!
4. Lucky As The Devil
5. Road Works Tour - LIVE!
radio airplay...in the usa - KLOS/LA; XM Satellite Radio; BBC/Radio2, Jazzfm/london. we have six songs in film and television soundtracks.

Photos

Bio

Sparks fly off the stage during Lightnin' Willies electrical performances along with his band, Giles King on harmonica, Tony Burt on drums and Fergie Fulton on bass. Collectively they generate more energy that a nuclear reactor. Their combined combustible energy and fusion of swinging blues with a taste of country-blues and a hint of rockabilly has lit up stages around the world. This accomplished and hard-working guitarist, vocalist, songwriter was born in Dallas, Texas and was influenced by the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, SRV, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin Wolf and George Harrisonto name just a few.

Emerging from the clubs and bars of the U.S. Blues scene, Lightnin Willie has been playing guitar and composing original songs for over two decades. He orchestrates a delicately balanced show, with powerful blues, rich vocals, and slide guitar. His in-your-face approach includes traditional blues mixed with wit, style and an over-riding love of playing the Devils Music. Using an eclectic blend of American roots music he gives an off the charts, well-rounded high-octane show the way aficionados of the genre like it: hard, sensitive, raw, and roadhouse.

Lightnin Willie has worked his magic at blues festivals all over the U.K., including the Edinburgh Blues Festival where he has headlined with Mick Taylor, Charlie Musselwhite and Chris Farlowe. He has also performed at the Stanley Blues Festival, Maryport Blues Festival, Great R&B; Festival/Colne, Brecon Jazz Festival, Gloucester Blues Festival, Zottergem Blues Festival (Belgium), Bardies Festival (France), Riverfront Blues Festival (U.S.), and he appeared with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Doobie Brothers, Billy Joe Shaver, Los Lonely Boys and Leon Russell at the Willie Nelsons Annual 4th of July Picnic in Fort Worth, Texas.


He has received rave notices from publications throughout the U.K. like the Guardian (The real deal.), the Independent (Highly impressive.), Blues Matters (One hard act to follow) and the Blues in Britain (Big fun with serious musicianship.). In the U.S., Denver Post (Definitely worth seeing), Los Angeles Times (This band knows how to drive the train), Living Blues (Hard to imagine a better evening of entertainment). Appearing live on Johnny Walkers Drive Time BBC, Paul Jones Blues Show BBC 2,and Mary Costellos GLR/BBC. The very personable Lightnin Willie has definitely made his mark in the UK blues world.


Lightnin Willie plays with integrity and love for the music reminiscent of some of the legendary Texas and Chicago blues masters. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for the art of the blues and Americana is contagious -- hell engineer you from the depths of the blues and beyond leaving you feeling electrified, energized and glad to be alive. Lightnin Willies music is real, which is one of the best compliments you can give a blues man.


Notes


Performed shows with: Mick Taylor, Chris Farlowe, John Mayall, Junior Wells, Robben Ford, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters Blues Band, The YardBirds

Touring for the twelve years worldwide
the band has appeared live on:
Johnny Walkers BBC 2 Drive Time Show (on several occasions)
Paul Jones BB2 Blues Show
Mary Costello GLR/BBC (voted one of the top ten best roots acts)
Radio St.Tropez (France)
XM Satellite Radio (U.S.)
KLOS FM Los Angeles
KXLU Los Angeles
KDVR Denver
KFWR Blues Radio / Fort Worth
Good Morning Dallas / Fox television


Also receiving noteworthy airplay of their requested song, Couldnt Do Nothin which has been heard all over the U.K. on BBC 2.


Lightnin Willie has had his music included in the soundtracks of:
WHATEVER IT TAKES TRI-MARK PICTURES 2001
ROUTE 66 LIONSGATE FILMS 2003
1- 800-MISSING HBO 2004
MYSTERIOUS WAYS MIRAMAX FILMS 2004
FINAL CUT LIONSGATE FILMS 2005
THE L-WORD HBO 2005

BBC 2 Excellent
Guardianthe real deal
Independent* * * *
Blues Mattersone hard act to follow
Blues in Britainbig fun with serious musicianship
Living Blueshighlight of the Maryport Blues Festival
Denver Postdefinitely worth seeing
Los Angeles Timesthese guys know how to drive the train.

Band Members