Big Boy Bloater.
Dannys Bar Lev 1 Esquires Saturday 14th February 2015.
I freely admit that I knew very little, musically, about bluesman Big Boy Bloater. As a reader of the excellent Blues Magazine I have read of his exploits as the publication's DJ representative for Team Rock Radio. I also knew that he had recently supported the fantastic Imelda May on her recent UK tour. He comes highly rated and with a good reputation for playing top notch shows and tonight we have the opportunity to witness this premier musician up close and personal.
He is presented in the bar to celebrate the birthday of Mr Long John Laundry, a fellow bluesman who is no stranger to Esquires. Big Boy Bloater presents one man, one guitar, a looper and a voice. The build up for his introduction is pure theatre as Long John bellows out "All the way from Memphis..". In fact Big Boy hails from Farnham, Surrey and started playing guitar at the tender age of eleven. In person tonight he is attired exactly as seen in the magazine. Twentysomething, large hat, colourful classy shirt and a stylish goatee beard. He lives up to his affectionate stage name as he is large of frame and he has a constant smile throughout.
Although the bar is (disappointingly) not heaving, Big Boy Bloater greets every one of us with a cheery "It's Bedford, it's Saturday night. Raise glasses, cheers". A couple of songs speed by quickly, namely "Bear cat" and "Early in the morning". The former also opens his new album "Loopy". I can highly recommend it to any blues aficionados. The Bloatmeister's set is a mix of well worn standards, delivered in his own unique way, together with plenty of songs from the aforementioned "Loopy". We are treated to some pure "Louisiana love potion", which is "Alligator wine", a Lieber and Stoller composition that Screaming Jay Hawkins scored a hit with back in the fifties.
Chunky rings adorn Big Boy's nimble fingers. The speed of his hand is phenomenal, at times, to my eyes as they seem to blur across the guitar. After being bought a drink, The Bloater is quick to admonish the buyer by stating "That's naughty, I don't drink and I've got to drive". This is a fella who plies "good old traditional blues". After a cover of the Lightning Hopkins classic "Shake that thing" he switches guitar. This happens several times throughout the set and they are of varying sizes. Also taken from his album is "Every path has its puddle". Big Boy Bloater is warm and friendly during the evening. However, he does admit that he derives a lot of inspiration from "stalkers and serial killers" and he didn't seem to be joking! He looks around for any like minded people. The first half of his set closes with "You've got to lose". For this he resorts to his small box of tricks. Big Boy explains that this is frequently used when he is solo and his band are not present.
The second half begins with the macabre, self-penned "Pall bearers song". He explains that he spent time working for an undertaker and "it was a great life, fast cars and cold women"! Many in attendance may be slightly curious as to his real name, but Big Boy Bloater is not fussed; "What's my name? Does it matter?" The song that follows is called "That ain't my name". He speaks lovingly of his "wife Lisa" but "Ooh Valentine's Day in a Travelodge"! The Big Boy has such a rough blues voice and he shouts with such style and vigour, steeped in classic rhythm and blues. His guitarwork is ever flexible as he will mix swamp or some whammy bar twang. These come to the fore on "More than a million" and "Only fools know everything". The latter is his current single. Sadly for all of us, the set soon reaches the finale with "You don't know Diddley". With shouts for more, Big Boy Bloater returns with a room singalong for everyone present, a raucous reworking of the classic "Got my mojo working". What a show and free as well I might add. This is a musician very much at the forefront of the current blues scene. After having a quick chat with him post-gig, I can reveal him to be a delightful, humble and sincere gentleman. Big Boy Bloater, you made my day sir.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk