thomas atlas – devizine.com

Once fed a feeble excuse for not booking a local act on the circuit because they gigged in town so often it was becoming timeworn and monotonous; I wasn’t swallowing the smallest chunk, it smelt sour. This is Devizes and we cherish the dependable, the analogous; it’s not boring, because we know what we like, and we like what we get. Probable the best example I could give happened again this Sunday, and is something which has fast become as traditionally Sunday here as the aroma of roast potatoes.

Homegrown blues legend Jon Amor, with the outstanding bassist Jerry Soffe and celestially-sited drummer Tom Gilkes, who make up the other two-thirds of the trio, again took up the monthly residency at Devizes Southgate Inn, and showed no signs of the consistency faulting this coming year.

Erm, not too much to add, only because we’ve covered this regular occurrence often. Andy has reviewed it, and Ian and myself have had our tuppence too, but it’s worthwhile to mention if only to act as a reminder. Yeah, those who know, know, and I’d go as far to suggest, when Jon labels the event as “Jon Amor & Friends,” it extends further than the trio and his guest. So, for others, you do realise you’re seriously missing out, don’t you? There’s something so tremendously communal about the experience you could probably wear your slippers to it.

I’d wager this is how Jon sells it to the regular guest, and I’ve yet to note one which doesn’t thoroughly relish in the causal, informal demeanour. This last weekend was Brummie guitarist Thomas Atlas, who found it highly amusing the dogs would unperturbedly wander through the musicians as they played. Yet Thomas is as cool as this, cool as a cucumber, making his contribution solid throughout accompanying, and boy, when his time came to lead on a few self-penned songs, it was sublime, as well as locking in anticipation for the occasion he returns to town with a full band at Long Street. Oh, yeah, you need to know; that is on Saturday 25th March.

Yes, through Juggernaut to audience-participating banter, four-to-the-floor improv, and the occasional but amusing timing blunder, it was as it always is, the superb display of delta and Chicago electric blues we love! Don’t take my word for it, I’ll pop a YouTube link to Richard White’s filming below, and leave you with the desired information, this is a regular feature at the trusty Southgate, who, not content with supplying our Saturday nights in Devizes with an assortment of free live music, adds this cherry to the cake every first Sunday of the month. You’ve officially been reminded; there is no better way to while away your Sunday in Devizes……