Dana Gillespie & the London Blues Band
“she literally beats the pants off anything done by a British bluesman these last 10 years”
Essential Blues
Dana Gillespie has been a major figure on the UK music scene for 55 years & counting. Starting on the folk circuit in the mid 60’s she graduated to pop before settling on the musical love of her life – the Blues, which she describes as “…my first musical love because it's earthy, spiritual and honest”. Since the late 70s she has been singing, recording and touring with blues musicians from all over the world, including a two-year stint in America working with some of the finest players in the industry. As evidence of the high esteem in which she’s held Dana was voted “Top British Female Blues Vocalist” by the British Blues Connection and Blueprint Magazine five times and has now been elevated to their Hall of Fame. Lately, Dana’s published her memoirs, ‘Weren’t Born a Man’ as well as hosting her own weekly YouTube show called ‘Globetrotting With Gillespie'.
Her current backing band, The London Blues Band, is a terrific high-energy band featuring the cream of UK blues musicians including Dino Baptiste on piano and new recruits, 18-year-old blues guitar phenomenon, Marcus Praestgaard-Stevens, along with saxophonist Tom Waters, bassist Harry Whitty & drummer Jack Thomas, all of whom are just 21. Now affiliated with the highly-regarded Ace label, for this show Dana will feature songs from her latest record, 'Deep Pockets' (her 72nd!). Expect well-crafted original songs that capture the essence of the blues’ rootsy, lowdown and dirty feel, as well as classic blues covers so long associated with this great outfit.
“It’s an index of Gillespie’s empathy with her material that the originals blend so seamlessly with the classic covers…she literally beats the pants off anything done by a British bluesman these last 10 years” Essential Blues; “A master of rhythmic subtleties with purity of intent” Downbeat (USA)
Album Liner Notes, "Under My Bed" (by Charles Donovan)