HOME

INCLUDINGS:
APRIL 23, 2000 - BURNLEY NATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL, BURNLEY / UK (2 reviews)

April 23, 2000 - BURNLEY NATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL, Main Stage (7.30 pm) - Burnley / UK

(P)Rewiew 1:
Former front man for the Big Town Playboys, Mike Sanchez is recognized around the world as one of the finest singer/pianist/guitarist/entertainers anywhere. Solo, his work is packed full of rockin rhythms and red hot boogie stompers as well as some smoldering love songs. He's worked with a who's who of blues greats including Lowell Fulson, Champion Jack Dupree and Little Willie Littlefield. Mike has also played with Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Robert Cray, Peter Green and many other musical icons. This guy keeps good company... and he'll be spending tonight with the Burnley Blues Festival crowd. What better way to open a sizzling Sunday blues bill?

Review 2:
Sunday night's opener was the wonderful Mike Sanchez. After fronting the Big Town Playboys for 15 years and kick-starting many a new club and festival (including the first night at the first Burnley), Mike has now widened his occassional solo appearances into a major career re-launch. Rather than his impact being lessened, alone on a large concert stage, he was clearly "going for it" and turned in possibly his finest solo performance ever. Words like 'dynamic' and ' charismatic' always get used, because they fit him to a ' T '. The guy is quite simply a star and he put in as varied a one-man show as you'll get - thundering boogies, blues and R&B (some his own), New Orleans rock&roll, ballads, swamp-pop, some down home guitar and (with no incongruity whatever) a beautifully oily 'La Bamba' - all sleazy leers and flashing spanish eyes, making it seem positively filthy! His solo albums are a revelation and we wish him all the luck his immense talents deserve.