GIG REVIEW - 7 October 2007

VENUE: JB's, DUDLEY

             Last night 7th Oct. at J.B.'s Dudley I witnessed the first twenty years of rock & roll in one two hour package, and it wasn't a tribute show or revival act, it was simply a three piece who call themselves The Notorious Brothers playing and singing some of the most refreshing, inspiring & honest music one has had the pleasure to witness this side of 1973 (because of course folks that's when rock & roll died!). In fact I over heard the person stood next to me gushing of how it reminded him of watching band's at Mothers circa '69, quite an accolade and one with which I can only agree.
             The band's mainstay and focal point for the last few years has been Melvin Hancox on guitar & vocals, who has steered the band through many changes including literaly births, marriages and deaths. Those in the know may call him an undiscovered talent, however for all the thought and talent this man posseses you sometimes got the feeling the supporting crew wasn't all it could've been, but not this evening with the new band members in tow. Jimi Knowels plays drums, but more importantly is a musician who plays drums in the most dynamic and sympathetic sense to create not a backing but compelling percussion to complement and add colour to the band's new ensemble approach to playing. The newest member Jonny Gracie : acoustic & electric bass, harmonica & vocals brought the look and sound of authentisity to the proceedings, where else do you see someone playing upright slap bass in any other setting than revival nowadays apart from here, whilst the drums motor through and into your heatbeat and a blues / jazz guitar solo slides and seers over the top and it works, not often I can assure you. The nicest thing about this is it's not crass or a put up job, it's natural and these guys mean it.
             Whilst there are still many covers in the set all of which don't really resemble the originals anyway, the numbers I found to be most convincing were the one's they had written. From their current album "The Marigold Summerday Show", they performed some searing R&B in the form of "In Shades Of Psychedelic Blue". "Tonite Tonite" from the previous album "Tune In To Radio B.O.S.S." was also aired, I had never heard this one played live before and it certainly worked for me. It's so good to see a band again with thought out and arranged pieces created for maximum impact and effect that don't sacrafice its feel and soul in the process. These two numbers felt and rocked better than the recordings due to the unit working as a unit and not separate entities. There was even a new one written only days before it's debut performance here, could "Warm Love" I think was the title, be a chart entry and something to be considered, because whilst being reminisent of many things (like the first twenty years of rock & roll) was something all of it's own, as everything is that this band conjours. I certainly felt love and warmth as the title suggests, and it believeably burned brightly.
             The lighting and sound were of the usual excellent standard of which we've all grown to expect from J.B.s. In fact I've always felt this & the Robin are the only local venues where you can fully experience the joys of watching a live band properly. Being that here was a perfectly sized venue with people who know how to do their jobs, and doing them the only way you should, properly!
             Although you may feel this gig review is a little gushing I think this band needs some help. They have been playing many years and there are only the chosen few who seem to know they're out there, those people are very loyal to this band and were the only ones there it would seem to witness this event. The Notorious Brothers are a gigging band and play regularly, you've only to glance at their web site or Surge to know that. I think they are also a lot more and possibly always have been, only time will tell if there is more to come, I
for one certainly believe there is as I'm sure the loyal chosen few know there definitely is. This gig must have gone down well enough for this established venue, who have booked them to appear at J.B.'s again on Friday 7th December, I know I'll be there and hope you're there too because if you are you'll be having a happy christmas like me!!!

                                                                 Guy Bracknell