Music / blues
Best behaviour
They get on great, apparently, but when UK blues harmonica veteran Keith Warmington hooks up with (comparative) youngster US singer/songwriter Brooks Williams for a live tour there’s always been a bit of a culture shock.
“He’s a delightful man – really nice and a great musician – but I do have to be on my best behaviour a bit.” Keith reflects, a tad ruefully. “Not like my younger days … “
And he tails off with a twinkle that suggests the odd bit of riotous behaviour on the road is far from behind him yet.
The former BBC Bristol DJ has never been far from that road since the late 60s, playing harmonica and guitar as well as singing in bands and as a solo performer. Latterly he’s mostly been associated with singer/songwriter Steve Tilston, who first connected with Brooks Williams when he relocated from the US.
“It was about five years ago and we made up a band for a few gigs round here. It was all Brooks’ songs, I played harmonica throughout. I was so impressed by his brilliant guitar playing – way beyond the three-chord blues stuff with elements of jazz and Americana.”
In fact, though often lazily described as a singer/songwriter, Brooks Williams regularly figures in lists of all-time great acoustic guitar players – and rightly so.
The two musicians worked together for a couple of years after those initial dates, including recording Brooks Baby-O! album in Bristol in 2010, but then life sent them off in different directions, with Brooks teaming up with Boo Hewerdine as State of The Union and recording, among other things, a cracking acoustic version of the Pet Shop Boys ‘Rent’.
After three years, however, Keith was delighted to get the call to gig with Brooks again – so delighted that he immediately fixed up an extra date in Bristol with an unusual twist.
“It’s July the third, the night before the Fourth of July. I spoke to Liz Haughton at the Folk House and we knew that (top chef & Liz’s brother) Barny (Haughton) would be up for combining music and food so he’s going to be serving up some American themed grub between our sets of Americana, all included in the ticket.”
Despite the gap it seems the music has quickly come back together:
“Like falling off a log – he’s a real joy to play with.” Keith enthuses. “He brings out things in my playing I didn’t know I had! What’s great is that he trusts my judgement – if I ask what he wants he just says ‘Whatever you think, Keith’.”
Though, of course, that probably won’t apply at the bar afterwards.
Brooks Williams and Keith Warmington (with food by Barny Haughton!) appear at The Folk House on Friday July 3. Click here for more details
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