Blues, Gospel, Ragtime and Beyond
Blues, Gospel, Ragtime and Beyond
Porch Swing Blues Band
Porch Swing Blues Band
Having played together as a duo for many years as Porch Swing Blues, and steadily gaining a reputation across the South East of England for producing very fine acoustic blues, gospel and ragtime, Dave Ferra and Chris Berry have joined with a fine new rhythm section. Brian Langsdon on double bass, and Gary Smith Lyons on drums add a new energy to the band, which enhances the feel-good sound which has always been the essence of Porch Swing Blues.
Dave plays and sings blues, ragtime and spirituals, accompanying himself on guitar, slide and rack harmonica. As a solo artist he plays throughout the UK. His most recent CD 'Lies and Gin' made it to Number 1 on the Independent Blues Broadcasters' playlist chart. Bluesmagazine.nl describes Dave as an 'acoustic bluesman with a positive flair and grasp of the tradition that shines through'.
Dave Ferra....
Dave Ferra....
“
…..acoustic blues worth investigating!
Blues in Britain magazine
”
“
Wonderful stuff........great man, great voice, great everything!
Doug Walsh, BBC Radio Kent
”
Chris Berry: guitar and vocals
Chris Berry: guitar and vocals
A solo artist since the late 60s, Chris also spent two years on the New Orleans music bar and coffee house circuit as a singer/songwriter, and ten productive years in California and Texas. His fingerpicking blues guitar style combines with a fine bluesman’s voice - intensely expressive and impressive, whether singing slow blues or driving R’n’B.
Chris draws on influences from John Renbourne to Bonnie Raitt, Louis Armstrong to B.B.King, performing authentic good-time music with a feel of New Orleans and beyond, both as a solo artist and with Porch Swing Blues.
Chris Berry....
Chris Berry....
“
……mellow and melodic old style fingerpickin’ guitar with awesome vocals thrown in….great Texas blues
Times Picayunne, New Orleans
”
Brian Langsdon: double bass
Brian Langsdon: double bass
"There has always been music in my life, as far back as I can remember. From the age of 4 I would sit with my headphones on, listening to my dad's LPs, music from a variety of genres, even to my Grandfather's Gilbert and Sullivan operas! Over the past 30+ years I've had the privilege of working with some great musicians, and I equally enjoy both playing and engineering great music, whether live performance or in the studio. Over the past 10 years I've been immersed in some truly wonderful British and American Folk, Blues and Country music. The South East of England is alive with good music and is an exciting place to be".
Gary Smith Lyons: drums
Gary Smith Lyons: drums
London born Gary has been playing drums virtually his whole life since he was in his early teens. He loves playing traditional blues, jazz and soul, and is one of the most sought-after and hard-working musicians in the South East of England.
