Richie Milton

Richie Milton 2008

Born circa 1950 in London… Richie Milton’s career was kick started in the late 60’s, when he appeared on national TV performing, “Got My Mojo Working”, when only 13 years of age.

Playing guitar and singing, Milton became active on the UK blues scene, leading his band, the Lowdown. His repertoire ranges through blues, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll,

Milton writes most of his band’s material, finding an effective mixture of traditional blues themes and contemporary trappings.

In the early 70’s he took up saxophone, and toured and recorded with Freddy Macks Soul Extravaganza and reggae acts The Pioneers and Judge Dread.

After switching to guitar he signed to Bell Records, releasing a single and making further TV appearances. He went on to form “The London Apaches”, who became an established name on the then thriving London R&B scene, releasing the single, “Lost In The Jungle”, and touring with the legendary Long John Baldry. He also recorded the CD “Straight Ahead No Stopping and  “Coming Back For More”.

It was around this time Richie’s songwriting was being noticed paving the way for his well acknowledged talent as a singer and songwriter. The next recording, “Let Me Tell You More” came out on the Blues Matters label, much to critical acclaim and receiving world-wide air play.

The current Lowdown line-up comprises: Dave Lennox on keyboards Phil Lucas on bass, Ed Spevock on drums; Linda Hall on backing and lead vocals; Dick Hanson on trumpet and Steve King on sax.

Their live shows have drawn praise from other artists, and the press alike, including Jazz Journal, who proclaimed their show as, “A Powerhouse Performance”!

Source: www.richiemiltonandthelowdown.co.uk/; www.allmusic.com

Bill Farrow

Bill Farrow

Bill Farrow was born and bred in the east-end of London. The first guitar that he picked up belonged to his older brother, The first guitar Bill owned he bought for £3.00 from a school friend. He still has that guitar.

He was Influenced by Josh White, The Reverend Gary Davis, Jessie Fuller, Jimmy Rodgers, Wood Guthrie and in time Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and the whole Folk/Blues scene that was just beginning to open up…and Bill was to become part of  that revival while starting to perform in front of the public for the first time in  the local bars. He began to gain a reputation as a good guitarist and people began to look forward to a very entertaining evening from Bill.

Bill became resident entertainer at a folk club in Barking  supporting such artists as Simon & Garfunkle, Carolyn Hester and Tom Paxton to name only a few. As he performed more and more, his song writing skills began to emerge where he’s well known not just for his renditions of Blues classics but also for his own compositions in a surprisingly wide variety of genres;

In fact, whilst Bill won’t own up to how many years he’s been writing, he does admit to 14, as being the age when he penned his first song.

Bill has recorded numerous albums, including as well as several singles including ‘Canning Town Blues’, which became something of an anthem at the West Ham football ground.

The kind of blues I like is what they now call “The Old Blues”. I still call it the REAL Blue’s, raw, nothing too fancy or slick and nothing too loud.

Bill has recorded no less than five album/cd’s, continues to tour and record.Hi charismatic personality entertains people wherever he appears.

Source: https://www.mangle-music.com/