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Features
From
issue 131 - May 2008
Bourne
To Rock 'n' Roll
Review:
Adrian Nind, Spalding - Photos: Little Miss Angie, Spalding
Following
what 
seems
month after month of depressing news of Rockin' clubs closing up and down
the land, I'm delighted to report that at least in the Fens, things are
starting to improve. Following the successful launch of Holbeach Rock
'n' Roll club, there's news that record hops are starting up in Market
Deeping.
Even
better is the launch of Rock 'n' Roll nights at the Corn Exchange in Bourne
(near Spalding, Lincs.). Unusually, the promoter himself is not from the
scene, but is more used to booking Rock acts such as Led Zeppelin tribute
bands. The man in question is a super guy called Simon Bell who has been
promoting bands for a few years. Encouraged by friends he took a big risk
in putting on his first Rock 'n' Roll night to see if there would be much
interest. Having asked around, he confirmed his first line up as The Jets
supported by Big Black Cadillac and DJ Poor Boy Paul.
Bourne's
Corn Exchanged isn't the best sign posted venue in the land and by the
time we entered the hall, Big Black Cadillac were already well into their
set. 
Coming
from Norfolk which has already produced such illustrious acts as Hot Rockin'
and the fabulous Mark Kelf, I was very 
curious
to see what this band would be like. Although they
have the standard double bass, the band are much more than your average
Rockabilly combo. This is good straight ahead, no nonsense Rock 'n' Roll
- loud, rockin' and as hard as nails.
In
some ways they reminded me of the Riot Rockers back in the late 70s. Then
again, they aren't a Ted band. What they are is - Big Black Cadillac and
well worth checking out sometime.
With
the support band over and DJ Poor Boy Paul spinning the sounds, we then
had time to check out the hall. With the stage at one end and the bar
at the other, the middle was filled with a lovely wooden sprung dance
floor that was nice to dance on. Finally, the time came for what the crowd
had been waiting for, and it was time to turn up the guitar as The Jets
hit the stage. The Cotton boys, Bob, Ray and Tony are well known on the
scene. As they reminded us, it was back in 1978 that they first recorded
'Rockabilly Baby'. 
How
time flies. Yet here is the remarkable thing, as I get older and greyer,
they don't seem to age that much - are they on Botox? - Is Bob to be the
next Cliff Richard - forever young?! Launching into their repertoire of
hits and classics, the band gave their usual highly polished performance,
reminding anyone if it was needed, why they are one of the best bands
on the circuit.
One
of the highlights for me was their treatment of 'Trying To Get To You'.
Always a great song, their ballad version was superb. The night rocked
on and the dance floor was kept busy with happy bopping and jiving Rock
'n' Roll fans. Bob asked if there were any Rock 'n' Roll virgins in the
house but no-one was prepared to raise their hands.
This
well supported gig had attracted people from all over with some of the
noisest coming from Lincoln! There was a real mixture of Teds, Rockers,
Rockabilles and Psychos and it was great to see over 200 people supporting
this new venture.
All
too soon the band were doing their encore including the much requested
'James Dean' and the night was ending, leaving Simon with much to think
about. In truth, it was a terrific night, good venue, nice crowd, super
entertainment. The great news is that since then, Simon has told me he
will be continuing with Rockin' nights, so look out for details in MBSN.
Rock 'n' Roll is here to stay.