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John Power - Mersey Blues

BLUES conjured up on the banks of the Mersey, performed in a Southend shoebox, is about as far removed from Memphis as you can get.

But John Power's one-man taste of the Deep Scouse held a captive Railway Hotel audience, freshly squeezed around the tiny upstairs stage, spellbound during an intimate acoustic show.

The former Cast frontman and La's bassist chugged through his set like a runaway train, speeding through a set of more than a hour, barely pausing to refuel at a station between songs and catch his breath.

Maybe this was a deliberate ploy to fend off requests from the crowd for previous stops on his musical career, which Power has obviously left far behind him on the career track.

Three other locals plied their trade before Power. The youthful exuberance of the Seasiders got the proceedings underway. The duo of red haired guitar and ukulele swapping player, plus Woody Allen lookalike hammering the keyboards, punctuated by heavy Cockney accents, provided a unique brand of alternative Chas n' Dave.

The solid Phillious Williams followed, adorned in clothing more akin to cowboy Wyatt Earp and unholstering his guitar to fire a salvo of powerful vocals, which were comparable to Frank Black of the Pixies, and equally enjoyable.

Finally, Cusack were given their place in the limelight, running through a couple of songs, but were sadly drowned under the wave of anticipation reserved for Power's appearance.

The main attraction's own brand of country classics were vastly different to the jangly pop which helped his old band Cast teeter on the brink of Britpop greatness back in the Nineties.

I couldn't quite put my finger on just where I had heard this familiar sound before, until my memory was nudged by a towering colleague (thanks Dave), who pointed me in the direction of the Soggy Bottom Boys, from the Coen Brothers' movie, Oh Brother, Where Art Though?

All Power was missing was the beard, cap and dungarees, to complete the transition into new territory for the singer, who would have trouble pulling a grubby hat over his trademark bushy curls.

But, just like in the film, Power endeared himself to the crowd and won over his audience, who soon got over the disappointment of his reluctance to pay homage to the past, just enjoying the rare treat of witnessing a reinvented talent in such an unlikely venue for one night only.

11:52am Wednesday 9th April 2008

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