October 31st - Day 196

I had half an eye on arrivng in Brick Lane this evening for the culmination of Mexican Day of the Dead festivities, but extended trick-or-treating meant this didn't happen. I was feeling a bit sick'n'ill anyway so was quite happy to stay local. There were a couple of nearby pubs with occasional Saturday night live music I'd not checked out yet, but neither had anything on tonight, so two weeks after my first visit, I went back to Hoopers.
Tonight's musician, relaxed on a barstool, was top-notch slide guitarist Steve Morrison who, like Wilko Johnson, has the glorious ability to play bass and melody at the same time on one guitar. Next to him, sitting on a green amp, was Al playing various harmonicas (he had a case of about ten of them on the floor infront of him) and between the two of them was another Al (I believe) having a great time on drums. They are three-quarters of Steve's Blues band, Blues Abuse. Sorry to be so boring and positive all the time, but these guys treated us to a great evening of fast-rolling blues music, train whistles and all. Nice line from Steve at halftime, "We don't have a break any more, we have a rest".

I forgot to take a photo. Dammit.

bluesabuse.com