Ripley Blues Club 2009

Dave Speight says of himself "I've been playing and singing the blues for over 40 years ... with more and more feeling that I have good reason to do so as I age. The fingers may have slowed .... but the voice still works".

How true! He started off with Big Bill Broonzy's Willie Mae giving us 12 songs in total. Luke Jordan's 1927 blues "Church Bell Blues" was followed by an impressive version of Gus Cannon's "Last Chance Blues" which drew the loudest applause. Dave had succeeded in getting the attention and respect of the near full house. No mean feat for a solo artist.

More traditional songs and anecdotes followed …. Milk Cow Blues, Lonnie Johnson's "Tomorrow Night". The closing song was a delta blues until he was encouraged back for a double encore.

First was Bessie Smith's Going Back To My Used To Be. He dedicated his final song, taken from the 1936 film 'Sing Baby Sing', to a Catholic nun Sister Anne Marie to whom he used to sing:

When did you leave heaven
Why did they let you go
How is ev'rything in heaven
Tell me, 'cause I want to know

Why did you trade heaven
For all these earthly things
What did you do with your halo
Where did you leave your wings

Do they miss you
Could you get back in
If I kissed you
Would it be a sin

I am only human
But you're so divine
When did you leave heaven
Angel of mine

Great set!