This evening of venerable blues began with a geriatric revolt as a creaking crowd demanded more chairs than those provided. Bums on seats indeed. A spiky and unnecessarily ugly start to one of the mellowest gigs seen at the Exchange in a long while.

Devizes is a town with a strong Blues heritage and can boast players of the calibre of Amor and Sibun on its scene so it takes something a bit special to impress it's seasoned fans but a band with well over a century and a half of combined experience certainly gave the punters what they came for even if, for this observer at least, it lacked a little bit of edge.

Silkily smooth grooves, witty lyrics and neat interplay are the stamp of this band, with all members taking a turn in the spotlight, although Paul 'Mr Blues' Jones tends to shine brightest with his wide vocal range and sharp harp playing, both seen to great effect

on a cover of 'Georgia On My Mind'.

The guitar licks were more kitten than tiger and the overall vibe was gently soporific, yet feelgood. Maybe deckchairs would have been more appropriate..

An evening for those who love their music as polished as a National guitar..

JOHN LOVELESS