Last night (31/05/24) , local lad James Oliver and his band played a benefit gig for us in The Blue, Cefn Fforest, helping us raise just over four hundred pounds towards our cause.

Local lad James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest musicians, playing over 300 gigs a year all over the UK, Europe and the USA!

He has performed over 3000 gigs and shared the stage with acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, Geraint Watkins and many others.

But he is still down-to-earth enough to help us out by playing a fund raiser in Cefn Fforest.

Many loyal fans travelled from around South Wales to see him and sat with huge grins on their faces as they marvelled at his mastery of the guitar. Jaws dropped on those seeing him for the first time, incredulous as to how quickly his fingers moved up and down the fret board. Tonight’s backing band were no slouches either, both casually laying down a solid rhythm with a casualness that defied the complexity of what they were doing. Mark Kelmo looks like he is just playing drums in a cabaret band, but sounds like Keith Moon. He doesn’t need to show off with all the arm flailing, he lets the drums do the talking. Patrick Farrell lays down basslines that would get the most stubborn of hips shaking.

The crowd were treated to classics by the likes of The Shadows, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale and Johnny Cash. But this is no ordinary covers band, their renditions are flawless when stacked against the original – even when performing Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’, James’ guitar work stands up against the legendary Peter Green. Love Sculpture’s ‘Sabre Dance’ is a challenge for the best of guitarists, but James just takes in his stride.

The night was well attended, everyone had a good time, money was raised for the Stute and we would like to think we have put a spring in the step of the community which is, after all, why we do this.

We would like to say a huge thanks to James and his band, Kelvin for providing the music between sets, Steph for running the door like a pro and The Blue, for once again supporting us.

We are already in the process of arranging another gig with James next year (we told you he is a busy chap)

To keep up to date with progress on the Stute, future funding events and general chat, please follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurStute and join the Facebook group. Friends of Cefn Fforest Miners Institute | Facebook

By clint