Reviews
Artist: The Three Must Get Beers
Venue: The Red Lion
Town: Isleworth
Date: 6th February 2010
First a quick aside, not related to music.
To get to Isleworth, we had to drive through Twickenham, and happened to arrive as the final stragglers left the Rugby Stadium after the England v. Wales match. The streets were filled with hordes of people, marshaled by only a couple of hobby-bobbys. I can't believe how good natured and well behaved everyone was. They all waited patiently for the traffic lights before crossing, and didn't crush forward to get to the kerb. The crowd were a complete credit to the game of rugby, and made you feel proud to be British. What a shame that Rugby isn't regarded as our national sport.
Love the Red Lion as a music venue. In general, although it's a pub, the clientele are primarily there for the music, and so don't tend to chat all through the performance. Was therefore very pleased to find that the Three Must Get Beers were playing there again.
Arrived at the Red Lion to find that it was very full. So much so, that we couldn't find a seat. Not surprised as we have seen the 3MGBs several times, and they always attract a very good crowd.
Bob Lewis (aka Dr. Bob), the band's rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist, saw us and came over for a chat. He told us not to worry about lack of space, as several of the people there had just popped in for a swift half after the match, and so weren't likely to stay. I was a bit worried that a bunch of drunken sports fans might make the evening rowdier than expected. Completely unfounded. Any rugby fans there not only respected the musicians and kept quiet whilst they were playing, but also they loved the music and stayed till the end. The pub remained crowded all evening.
The first time we went to see the 3MGBs, we went specifically because we knew that Brian Willoughby is one of the world's greatest guitarists. We were taken completely by surprise at how good a guitarist John Evans (aka Big John) is too, and now go to see them whenever possible.
They mainly play covers of blues and R and B classics, (though they do occasionally slip their own compositions in). During the instrumental breaks, John and Brian take turns to improvise, so no matter how many times you hear them, they are always different. Each song is a hand-crafted original gem, never to be repeated.
Haven't seen them play for a couple of months now, but was amazed last night at how tight, musically, they have become. Bob used to act as an orchestra conductor, prompting either John or Brian to let loose, but nowadays he hardly needs to. They seemed connected by telepathy, creating hugely complex numbers, with the tune weaving between the three guitars like magic.
Didn't keep a set list, but they played many of their old favourites, such as "Geronimo's Cadillac", "Down Home Girl", "Cocaine Blues", "Kind Hearted Woman", "Built For Comfort" and "Dixie Chicken". My favourite was one I hadn't heard them play before, J.J. Cale's "Magnolia". Brian somehow seemed to make his guitar cry. A truly beautiful noise. If I hadn't known better, I'd have thought he had a mellotron hidden away up on stage with him.
The 3MGBs don't keep a website, so it isn't always easy to know when they are next playing, but if you do happen to hear that they are playing round your way, I heartily recommend them.
Pete Bradley