Happy blues evening!

Blues was the theme for Domino's quality pop evening last thursday, when british group Earth and swedish group Blues Quality with Peps performed.

Earth formed as late as august of last year and haven't made a record yet. At the start they were six man, but now they're down to four. Like so many other groups that have since gained glory and fame, they have been discovered at the Marquee in London, where they currently are the in house band. Earth arrived in Stockholm from Copenhagen and will also perform in Gothenburg on this, their first Scandinavian tour.

Earth have gotten much of their inspiration from Jazz. They play a happy Jazzblues, but with strong influences from Rock n Roll music. A lot of their repertoire is old jazz- and rock songs that they have re-arranged. In some way they reminds me of Ten Years After.

It was a satisfying experience hearing a new and unknown band as Earth do such a great gig. They played well-balanced and with emotion - with a nice groove to their songs. The guitar playing reminded me of a young Eric Clapton and the drummer showed his ability with many talented and interesting ideas during a long drum solo. The groups progressive, "happy" blues was very catching and fun to listen to.

According to reliable sources, blues music is on its way back in the pop context. 50% of the new bands that appears seems to be playing blues. At the same time as many of the "big" blues acts as John Mayall and Canned Heat increases in popularity new blues bands pop up with the hope that they might get a "free ride".

Most people have probably never heard of Earth, one of the many new british blues bands. As blues musicians they do not differ much in comparison with other british acts within the same genre. This was at least my first impression at Saturdays concert.

My second impression however came after a few songs; Maybe do they have their own style, something that made you listen and watch with a bit more interest? However, a correct definition of this is difficult to make. They reminded me a bit of Jethro Tull.

Earth is the kind of popband that would probably upset the ordinary middle aged Swedish citizen if he against all odds would visit one of their shows. They have long hair, wear dirty clothes and doesn't dress very well, they play very hard and loud music. But if he against all odds would listen with an open mind he would soon discover that they are good musicians and that they play catchy songs.

Bluesmusic is supposed to follow certain predetermined and given patterns. The possibilities for variation will thus not be too many. With the help of electronics, however, the modern blues bands have given the whole thing a new angle. Earth stayed within the frame all the time but still managed to vary the music so that it did not become monotonous, mainly through long instrumental solos. The bands singer did not have much to do, but he spent time with clowning around.

Earth is one of many blues bands. If they are heard about in some major contexts, it is difficult to say, here it can only be said that in terms of quality, they hold up very well in comparison with many others.