THE Blues Band formed in 1979, by ex Manfred Mann group members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, originally to play a few pub gigs, are one of the most enduring, entertaining and hardest-working combos of the last four decades.

The quintet-fronted by Paul Jones (vocals, harmonica), Dave Kelly (guitar, vocals), Tom McGuinness (guitar, vocals), Gary Fletcher (bass), and Rob Townshend (drums) released a brand new album (their first in nearly seven years) entitled ‘The Rooster Crowed’ on Friday, June 22.

‘The Rooster Crowed’ comprises 12 brand new recordings, - nine original compositions, and three imaginative interpretations of Blues classics, and was cut over a feverish three-day period in 2017. ‘The Rooster Crowed’ crackles with spark, fire and energy, running the gamut of Blues and R&B styles from the time-honoured roll of Too Much Competition, through to the smouldering, atmospheric Still A Fool, the back-porch mellow of Weeping Willow, and the Gospel-inflected Get Right Church. It is, as one would expect, a supremely accomplished set that shows the band at a real peak, played with passion and commitment, but with a flair and feel for the music that comes from a deep love and respect for the traditions of the Blues idiom. As ever, the band will be taking the new album out on a comprehensive UK tour and will be at Theatr Brycheniog on Thursday, September 20.

They will be playing highlights from the new album and choice picks from a recording career that stretches back over four decades now.    

In the past 39 years the band have played all around the world in venues ranging from intimate clubs through to civic halls and theatres, and have wowed festival audiences in many countries - including headline appearances at Glastonbury.

Whilst not being unique in being the only band to have survived such longevity, they are one of the few outfits to have consistently recorded new material throughout such a long career, and whilst staying true to their blues roots and have constantly developed their music and redefined their approach on several occasions. Their 1994 album ‘Wireless’ saw them venture into the purely acoustic arena for the first time, and the 2000 release of the ‘Scratchin’ on My Screen’ album confirmed the presence of purely acoustic settings of the blues in their repertoire.  1999’s ‘Brassed Up’ cd was, as the title suggests a foray into big band blues whilst ‘Stepping Out’ released in 2002 saw a return to the band’s basic five piece line up with the double barreled vocal front-line of Paul Jones and Dave Kelly being joined by Tom and Gary both singing lead on a couple of songs.

With four singers and songwriters in the band the quality and variety of performance and material offered by The Blues Band is pretty much unrivaled, and the band’s passion and reverence for the music, their presentation and showmanship all combine to deliver the definitive ‘good night out’ available from any artist currently operating in the Blues field in Europe.

For a band to stay together for such a period takes commitment and belief but most of all requires an audience that keeps coming ‘Back For More’ (as per their 1989 album). Thousand of gigs and hundred of thousands of attendees cannot be wrong.

Tickets are available from the Theatr’s Box Office on 01874 611622.