So, having already had the pleasure of witnessing Mr. Fairhurst’s masterful guitarmanship at a previous event in 2016, I jumped at the chance at seeing him again, this time at the Maze Bar on Nottingham’s Mansfield Road.
I’ve always loved seeing gigs at the Maze because of the intimacy between the artists on stage and the crowd mere metres away under the low roof of this dark backroom. I had a memory of listening to John perform a captivating and somewhat psychedelic 15-minute electric guitar solo the previous time and being whisked-off along with him on a psychedelic journey… and this time certainly lived up to, nay, exceeded all of my expectations.
For the hour and a half or so they were on stage, John, on the electric guitar, along with his long-term collaborators Toby Murray on Drums and Justin Kool on bass delivered, to put it bluntly, the greatest and most enjoyable gig I’ve ever witnessed. Forgive me if I sound like I’m getting overexcited, but these guys blew my mind in a way one feels when one genuinely witnesses world class talent with their own two eyes and ears. Yes, he’s that good, ladies and gentlemen.
Known as the ‘Wigan Jimi Hendrix’, John’s extended blues/rock solos were spellbinding and delighted on a level which not only arrested attention, but left one’s mouth falling open in amazement. As I said to John afterwards, watching him work was “the closest I’m ever going to get to witnessing Jimi Hendrix in real life”, a complement given with the utmost sincerity and which, by the way it was received, showed the genuine humility of the man.
Quite frankly, if you’re a lover of the musical arts, Jimi Hendrix, or of blues and rock music specifically, I advise you to try and catch these guys whenever possible. You can thank me later 😉 Peace out
By James Toomey
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