The New Bluesville Night
Guest review by Russell Cook from Suffolk Village Info.
There was no bouncing floor, no smoke filled atmosphere and a distinct lack of people on their feet. But there were literally hundreds swaying in their seats to the sounds emanating from the stage.
Nearly three hours of non stop blues music filled the New Wolsey Theatre on Friday night for the first of what is hoped to be many more versions of The New Bluesville Night.
It was full to bursting - with just a few seats vacant - as the audience welcomed host, Stephen Foster, of Radio Caroline fame and former Radio Suffolk presenter, onto the stage to raucous applause. Maybe it was the thought of Ipswich Town’s crucial final game of the season at Portman Road (against Huddersfield Town) with promotion to the Premier League in mind the following day. “Foz” gave a hint of the upcoming match much to the delight of the audience and then went on to explain some of the thinking behind the evening.
It followed in the footsteps of the original Bluesville Club which was originally set up in Ipswich during the 1960s by Ron and Nanda Leslie. They took place at the Manor Ballroom during the winter months and switched over to St Matthews Baths Hall during the summer, hence the bouncing floor which went right across the pool area. It was one of the most popular nights in the town for decades and helped cut the teeth of a host of upcoming bands, many who went on to national and international acclaim including: Cream, The Animals, Spencer Davis, Rod Stewart, The Who, Steve Winwood, John Mayall, and The Yardbirds.
And who could forget regular appearances of Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band?
It was during the day when you could get up close and personal with the acts on stage and many of those attending Friday’s show were former regulars at Bluesville.
The music was a little different to the original club nights, but just as great and it featured West Weston’s Bluesonics, Joel Fisk and The Breakdown, and Bearfootsoul featuring Matt White, and guest starring the New Wolsey’s very own Giles King, who was instrumental in planning the night.
As “Foz” explained, it was never going to replicate the original Bluesville, but it was a true celebration and featured some of the best local and regional bands on the night … and all for a £10 ticket!
The New Bluesville Night was at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on 3 May 2024.