New - Our Merch Page

You can now show your appreciation of the D. C. Wilson Band with this select range of quality merchandise. Visit our new Merch page to view and place your orders.

Punching in Suffolk

Our first visit to Ipswich was a lot of fun - thanks to Gail at the Suffolk Punch for booking us; to everyone who came; to Barrie Stones for standing in for Simon 'Baby Face' Sales; and to Matt for a splendid debut performance. Here are some happy snaps of the occasion: you can hear some selections here.

Across The Border...

This Saturday (11 May) we're getting that Southbound Train to do a show in that Magic Land, South of the Border -- Suffolk. So, newly vaccinated and with visas barely dry, we'll be turning up at the Suffolk Punch in Ipswich. Showtime is 9pm.

This'll be the first outing for new boy Matt, so please come and give him a warm welcome. 

In another alteration to the advertised billing, Simon 'Baby Face' Sales cannot make the date as he has a prior engagement at the All-Norfolk Mud-Wrestling Championships, so instead we'll be featuring our friend Barrie Stones from the Cruisers on guitar, for one night only, don't miss it.

Showtime is at 9pm.  

Announcement!

We've been a bit quiet of late - now we can tell you why. Sadly, longtime DCWB bass player Pete 'Canary' Thompson left the fold for pastures new. Stepping into his shoes is Matt Turner-Hook, veteran of the Norfolk blues scene, who we welcome to the band with a lusty cheer. Sharp of suit and bouncy of bassline, Matt totes Fender bass guitars and Trace Elliot amps. Come welcome him when we play at the Suffolk Punch in Ipswich on 11 May.

Back To The 1940s

Very sadly we have had to cancel our 1940s Theme Night at the Gull, Loddon Road, Framingham Pigot on Friday 26 April. Stay tuned for more news as it happens. 

 

DC Does Dereham ... Again and Again!

We've just been confirmed to appear at this year's Dereham Blues Festival - and not just for one show, but two yes two count 'em TWO!

The first foray will be at the King's Head on Thursday 11 July between 9 and 11pm, and if you want to come back for more, at DC's Bar on Sunday 14th between 2 and 4pm. This'll be the sixth consecutive appearance of the band at this prestigious festival (it might be the seventh, but who’s counting?) and we're already looking forward to it. To whet your appetite, you can order a CD of last year's Dereham performance - and two other fine CDs -- here, for free gratis and for nothing. And you can always catch us at one of our other upcoming shows.

Sailor’s Home Review

We had a great time at the Sailor’s Home on Sunday. We thought we played well. But don’t just our word for it - read this review from local music reviewer Patrick Nugent. Thanks Patrick!

"The D.C. Wilson Band are a proper R'n'B band (not that pale insipid stuff that passes for R'n'B on the radio these days, which has little rhythm and no blues), and D.C.'s material cuts across many of the classic styles with great verve, and musical craft, from diehard Chicago blues, to New Orleans R'n'B, via Texas blues, the blues from the Delta (the heartland, where the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers converge), British blues from the 1960s, soul, reggae, to Louis Jordan jazzy style swing blues from the 1940s. It was all there, and all delivered with impact and a feeling of the band having a great time playing it too, because, you see, this wasn't some serious educational heritage historical journey, but a blisteringly good time in which the heart of the music was beating strong.They were not being po-faced and academic about it, so, for instance, 'I Got My Mojo Working' was not done in classic Muddy Waters' style but reinvented as a jump blues. Excellent.

Many of the greats got a look in: The aforesaid Muddy Waters' 'Hoochie Coochie Man' with Paul Poppy on lead vocal, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells' version of 'Messin With The Kid', Freddy King's 'Tore Down' (storming version), 'Crossroads' à la Cream, BB King's 'When It All Comes Down' from the great 'Midnight Believer' album he did with The Crusaders, The D.C.'s caught that laid back Crusaders groove spot on. There was also 'Gimme Some Lovin'', Flip Flop Fly', 'Money', 'Need Your Love So Bad,' 'No Woman No Cry', 'Superstition', 'Green Onions, as well as original 'Funky Feat', among many many others. But I think that little list gives you an idea of their great range. A great collection from the archives of truly great rhythm and blues in all its real forms.

The D.C. Wilson Band are, (left to right across the stage); Nick on percussion and congas, adding a spicy, unusual texture to the rhythm section; Simon on guitar, playing an encyclopedia of classic blues, R'n'B and rock styles; Peter, rock solid on bass; Paul powering along on drums and supplying some excellent backing vocals; Henry on the keys, swinging along from Professor Longhair style New Orleans piano to Stevie Wonders' 'Clavinet' funky groove and also some cracking Hammond organ leads and chord jabs (so welcome to see keyboard player, because we don't get nearly enough of 'em around these days). Then, of course, out front, the man in the hat, D.C. with all the R'n'B, blues, soul, funk, vocal chops you could wish for; all delivered with authority and panache (because it has to be said that they must also be the most dapper R'nB band on the circuit, particularly D.C. himself, our rhythm and blues flâneur-in-chief, with the trademark white titfer).

They all play so well in a, what I characterise as, 'loose, but tight' style. I'm sure you know what I mean, you know, like The Band used to do. All in there, on the button, but all rolling along as a piece, with beats being shed left right and centre. D.C's vocals soaring over it all, sometimes sliding in behind the beat, or sometimes jumping right in on top of it. Brilliant stuff."