Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

After a stormy journey up the motorway from Devon, the Richard Bennett Youngbloods stormed onto the stage with a blistering performance of raw Jazz, Blues and even Rock and Roll. Led by Richard on trumpet and the baby-faced wizard of the reeds, Adrian Cox switching from clarinet to sax. With major input from Andy Craddock on the double bass with vocals the place was jumping from the start.

Wearing shirts that could have been sponsored by Hawaii.com there was a sunny feel to the whole evening with Russell Bennett's banjo being complemented by guest drummer Simon Richardson and the trombone experience of John Howlett.

Here is a young band that bounces off one another providing an evening of pure exhilaration. Highlights of the evening included Craddock's solos/vocals on 'Lonesome Prison Blues' and 'Jump, Jive and Wail', Richard Bennett leading the way with 'South of the Border' and 'When I Leave This World Behind', a vocal duo with Cox on 'That's When I'll Come Home to You' and an excellent arrangement of sensitive clarinet and mellow trumpet on 'Sweet Lorraine'. The piece de resistance was without doubt Cox's breathtaking solo with 'Saint Philip's Street Breakdown' clarinet perfection backed by Craddock's prominent bass, banjo and drums.

As the last strains of 'Get Out of Here and Go On Home' faded away the happy crowd drifted out into the driving rain and 'went on home'!

Richard Bennett and the Young Bloods
October 2002