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THE BELL FEB/MARCH 2010

Sun.28 (lunchtime)
Back Before Breakfast
Often a good idea, and it means you’ll be up in time for a pint or two at lunchtime with a great new country-flavoured band from darkest Zummerzet; wry tales of curious goings-on, and enough quality playing to keep them afloat.

Mon.1
The Balkan Express
Years in train-ing, hauling heavy frieght at high speed without ever slipping into runaway mode: yep, and Balkan music has it's chiches too, but we've seen these guys and they don't fall into many of them.

Wed.3
Dynamo’s Rhythm Aces
Aces high, aces wild, aces certainly unexpected. You mus know the score by now (unlikely covers set to swing rockabilly mod) but invite someone who doesn't and watch them as they get it.

Sun.7 (lunchtime)
Flaky Jake
No, you're not seeing things and it's not 1997 again, but one of the Bell's longterm favourites has indeed returned, good as ever and twice as much fun. Tex-Mex and more from accordion wiz and friends.

Mon.8
Bulawayo
Modern Zimbabwe sounds focussed on the mbira, that chiming guitar, and earth-moving vocal sound from queenpin Cecilia Ndhlovu. On a Monday, In Bath. We spoil you.

Wed.10
The Cedar
Neither wooden nor blown about by the winds of musical fashion, Neil Gay and merry friends stand tall amongst the over-earnest and under-talented nu acoustic scene, capable of wry humour and sheer loveliness.

Sun.14 (lunchtime)
Sulis
Get the serious folkies in every now and again to show the neos how it's done. These gents have played more dances than you know how to do, and this stuff goes better with a pint than anything else under heaven - it's probably what the pint was made for.

Mon.15
Craig Crofton & Friends
A souped-up set from a souped-up set. Mr Crofton being joined by Messrs. Moore, Rogers & Calhoun for some ferocious grooves and high-intensity soloing. It does indeed funk like a bitch, m'lud.

Weds.17
The Duckworths
Popping up again if only to challenge the various challengers in the Best Band in Bath stakes, we say the Duckies still have the edge on both songwriting and musicianship: and who else can match their sheer rock'n'roll loucheness?

Sun.21 (lunchtime)
Mai Hernon
Superlative Irish traditional singer, you won't often hear it done this well and certainly not in a pub outside the old country (and not often enough there). Treat as a masterclass.

Mon.22
The Ramirez Bros.
Completely bonkers nu-jazz swing of the noisy big-beaty kind, friends of the mighty Apples and probably the most up-to-it band all month. You have been warned, you will feel foolish in the morning if you've missed it.

Wed.24
The George Mabusa Band
The boy has gone but the tunes live on! Chris Powell convenes this big-smiles carnival jazz combo stuffed with top Bristol faces and squeezing great melodies and grooves onto every spare corner of the bag.

Sun.28 (lunchtime)
Rag Mama Rag
Acoustic blues and indeed rags from utterly perfect on-the-road-so-long duo. A treat for the guitar-minded, and a breath of fresh air for everyone else. You won't hear it better.

Mon.29
The Bourbons
Are they the biscuits, the monarchs or the whisky? I guess that's for you to decide, but as a clue they are also a popular R'n'B combo of the extended lineup variety, with a great singer and lots of original material.

Wed.31
Babel
Towering (ooh!) over the local band landscape with seriously good press and top festival shows behind them (and many still ahead, of course) they do indeed speak in many tongues but every one of them says "class act"