About this Event
Please note that this is a 'free to register' gig. There will be a collection at the end for the musician. Suggested donation £5-£10. Please be generous.
MARTIN McNEILL - bottleneck blues
Martin McNeill is a traditional blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player.
He first played on stage more than 50 years ago, as a teenager supporting visiting US stars Sonny Terry and Brownie as well as slide guitar legend Mississippi Fred McDowell, who passed on playing tips.
Early influences are still apparent, including Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Bill Broonzy, Elmore James and especially Fred McDowell.
His repertoire has broadened to take in a wide range of Delta blues, Chicago shuffles, soulful ballads, jazzy classics and modern folk-blues by the likes of Eric Bibb and Keb Mo.
Martin plays well over 100 gigs a year, mainly in solo format but also leading his band Bottleneck Blues. He plays slide in standard and open tunings, using the kind of semi-acoustic archtops guitars popular with old-school blues and jazz players.
His latest CD is Lately I've Let Things Slide, the title track being a bluesy interpretation of a Nick Lowe ballad.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT MARTIN McNEILL
“Incredible playing, absolutely fantastic” DOUG WELCH, BBC KENT FOLK SHOW PRESENTER
“Superb performance at the festival...really great vibe and atmosphere” IAN BOWDEN, RYE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
"Outstanding fingerpicking and slide work ...shimmering, atmospheric slide...classic blues sounds ...thoroughly enjoyable acoustic album" BLUES IN BRITAIN MAGAZINE
“One of this country's finest bottleneck blues guitarists” STEPHEN FOSTER, BBC SUFFOLK
“British blues at its best” IAN McKENZIE, EDITOR OF BLUES IN THE SOUTH
“Slide guitarist par excellence” GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE
“Excellent solo acoustic set by Martin McNeill, who really held the audience. At times you could hear a pin drop” MIKE LIGHTFOOT, SAINT FM
Stunning bottleneck guitarist. I'm a great, great admirer of Martin's work.A great performer...wonderful new album�ASHWYN SMYTH, CHAIR OF UK BLUES FEDERATION
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Temperance, 33 Bath Street, Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
