Gentleman's Dub Club - Gary Fletcher

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 30 / 6 / 2013

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Nick Dent-Robinson examines Blues Band's bass guitarist Gary Fletcher's two new albums, which he has released consecutively

It has been quite a while since the Blues Band's brilliant bass guitarist/writer Gary Fletcher released a new album. But now there are two. The first is 'Giant from the Blue' (a Roald Dahl-inspired title) featuring twelve Gary Fletcher original songs played by the Gary Fletcher Band line-up of Gary plus percussionist Pick Withers (ex-Dire straits), guitarist Steve Ling, bassist Jack Fletcher, Mark Feltham on harmonica and jazz giant Guy Barker on drums. Backing vocals come from Kokomo. The other album is 'In Solitary' which is a pure solo recording with no overdubs or recording trickery...just Gary Fletcher's voice and guitar doing a single “live in the studio” take. This album features more of Gary's own material plus three songs by Gary's favourite writers - Willie Dixon, Blind Willie Johnson and Chuck Berry. Different tunings are used and a resonator guitar features. Both these albums merit four star ratings. They are rich in the virtuosity of the performers, the quality of the original material and they make a real impact in quite different ways. And Gary Fletcher himself has never been on better form. Despite the huge contrast between these two albums, was it wise to release both together...with the risk of achieving only half the impact each record really merits? If I had to choose one (which is what many followers will do), then probably 'Giant from the Blue' would clinch it for me. The artistry of Gary plus the talents of players like Pick Withers, Mark Feltham and Guy Barker is just too tempting to ignore. For more information see see www.garyfletchermusic.net

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