Paul Jones & Dave Kelly - Live At The Ram Jam
Paul Jones and Dave Kelly
Live at the Ram Jam
Blue UPC
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This well-balanced duo brings a collection of songs built on the passion for doing what you love best.
Wait long enough and a cliche will become true. In this case it’s two artists who need no introduction. Paul Jones has been an integral part of the British music scene since the 1960s, as a performer with Manfred Mann, The Blues Band, solo and as one half of a duo with Dave Kelly. Dave Kelly may not be as widely known as Jones but, as the five-time winner of Blues Connection Acoustic Artist of the Year, he is equally respected.
This live CD shows just why the pair are regarded as two of the best blues musicians around. It’s an accomplished, enjoyable evening of classic acoustic blues in the company of two artists who have pretty much done it all. However, ‘accomplished’ and ‘experienced’ bring their own pitfalls, familiarity can sometimes breed a certain sameness even in musicians of this quality. If either Jones or Kelly were beginning to tire of the blues, it would show and quickly. Happily, they aren’t so it doesn’t.
This is an album that’s built on the passion of doing what you love. It’s laid back without being lazy and relaxed without becoming staid and tired.
If there is a criticism - and it’s hardly a criticism - it’s that Jones and Kelly have reached a point where the surprises are few and far between. Even the odd bum note would raise an eyebrow but from Statesboro Blues to Tuxedo Junction you get what you expect, a top class performance.
But when it comes down to it, there is no substitute for sheer class. Jones’ voice attacks when required but his best moment comes with the beautiful Please See My Grave Is Kept Clean, with Kelly’s guitar providing an ornate backdrop, it’s a moment of magic.
In one sense it would be easy for the relationship between the two to tilt. Jones envelops each song so completely that Kelly could easily find himself relegated to bit part player, but this is a partnership of equals. Kelly matches Jones stride for stride, one without the other wouldn’t be half as good and it’s from that ‘competition’ that the sparks fly. MM