The Blues Factory have a new rhythm section since I last saw them. Tonight the band were Ronnie Ryan: Vocals, Guitar & Blues Harp, Phil Astles: Guitar, Graham Robertson: Vocals & Bass Guitar and Chris Sharley: Drums. They have an interesting choice of material and, whilst maintaining a blues flavour, it is different from the blues standards played by most bands, and is something you can tap your foot or dance to.

With a harmonica player in the band, you’re bound to get some Little Walter and they opened and closed the first set with “Hot Temperature” and “You Know It Ain’t Right” respectively. The first set contained “Reconsider Baby”, Ramblin’ On My Mind” and “T-Bone Shuffle”, on which Phil took the vocals. “Body and Fender Man”, written by Doc Pomus and Duke Robillard about “car repairs” (possibly!), and recorded by Microwave Dave, was a new one on me and somebody I’ll have to research. Another new song was “Murdered by Love” credited by the band to “Blue Monday”.

They opened the second set with the instrumental title track from the Kid Ramos album “Greasy Kids Stuff”, new to me, but low and behold Paul Jones played a track from the album on his, following Monday’s radio show. Slim Harpo got an airing with some excellent harmonica work by Ronnie on “Got Love If You Want It” which included a great call and response with Phil on his Gibson ‘Goldie’ – what a sound and look that instrument has. However, at this point he switched to a trusty Fender Telecaster for the rest of the set, which included an own composition called “Whole Darn Thing”. They wound up the evening with “Last Call for Alcohol” by Microwave Dave and brought the proceedings to a close, to rapturous applause.

I for one will be following The Blues Factory with interest and hope the Blues Loft is here to stay.