The Stumble Discography (2006-2012)

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The Stumble Discography (2006-2012)

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The Stumble are a six piece band based in and around Preston in the North-West and what you get is a classic valve driven back line driven with shuffle and roll. Influences range from B.B. King, Freddy King, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, The Allman Brother's Band, Booker T, King Curtis etc. Basically, if music has that screwed down ambient live feel expressed by some of these guys, then it'll get on our turntable.

~ toptablepromotions

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The Stumble Discography (2006-2012)

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The Stumble is a Preston UK based band, which comprises Paul Melville on vocals, Colin Black on lead guitar, Jonny Spencer on rhythm and slide guitar, Simon Anthony on sax, Dave Heath on bass and Boyd Tonner on drums. The album contains ten tracks including six original compositions, five of which were written by Boyd Tonner (one in collaboration with Jonny Spencer) and one by Dave Heath.

Three of the first four tracks of the album are covers of numbers strongly associated with BB King. It opens with a fast-moving version of "You Upset Me, Baby" enhanced by a brilliant sax solo, followed by Granger Hunt Stop Leadin "Me On", which affords Colin Black his first chance to shine on lead guitar. The excellent title song, a medium-paced shuffle, sets up a fabulous version of the slow blues "All Over Again", which is a perfect vehicle for the magnificent blues voice of Paul Melville and, at eleven minutes of playing, not a second too long. The upbeat "Greyhound", on the other hand, complete with a nice bit of harp playing from Black, is short and sweet, lasting just under two minutes.

The rumba-rhythmed "Saturday Night" boasts another Colin Black trademark solo, while "Small World" races along with a prominent slide guitar accompaniment and another masterpiece on sax from Simon Anthony. The pace is then slowed first, by the medium-paced shuffle "Be My Baby" and then by the slow blues ballad "Work It Out", on which Paul Melville excels on vocals once again. The album reaches a tremendous climax with a terrific version of Hound Dog Taylor's "Gimme Back My Wig", which showcases Jonny Spencer's marvellous technique on slide guitar. In short, this is a superb album from a top class band, which is going from strength to strength.

by Lionel Ross

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The Stumble Discography (2006-2012)

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If you've seen us before then you will know that we are all about live rapturous Chicago style rhythm & blues. If you are new to the band, then allow me to explain….

The Stumble are a six piece band based in and around Preston in the North-West and what you get is a classic valve driven back line driven with shuffle and roll. Influences range from B.B. King, Freddy King, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, The Allman Brother's Band, Booker T, King Curtis etc. Basically, if music has that screwed down ambient live feel expressed by some of these guys, then it'll get on our turntable.

Our debut album '˜The World is Tough' came out in 2006 via cdbaby and received rave reviews throughout the UK blues communities and further afield.We have been doing a serious schedule of UK appearances since then, with sell out gigs at blues clubs, independent venues and some great festival appearances across the country and in Ireland.
The second album '˜The Houngan' released November 2008, paints a more diverse musical canvas than the previous album. This was recorded and mixed at Restrike Studios in Manchester during July 08 predominantly live onto tape to capture the warmth and ambience of the band's live performance. 'Houngan' is an attempt at a more polished studio album, but one in which the band's live edge and the warmth and ambience of a valve back line was assured.

The album is designed to be as diverse, in terms of tones and tempos, as possible. We wanted the listener to understand our influences, yet hopefully appreciate that the sound and style of the numbers are our own.The tracks roll and rumble, but the colour which the soloists add to the melting pot really makes this album rich. You won’t have to turn up your bass booster on your stereo to get a thump out of some of these songs, just turn up the volume and it will be like the band are right there in the room with you.

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The Stumble Discography (2006-2012)

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With a rising reputation on the live Blues circuit, it is no surprise that 'Lie To Me' delivers on the promise that The Stumble have been building for a while. A six piece band that play and write their own material, they play swing jazz blues, with a swagger, and play well written slower material as well. Led by the singer Paul Melville, and featuring saxophonist Simon Anthony, guitarists Colin Black and Rob Livesey, and powered along by the rhythm section of drummer and songwriter Boyd Tonner and bassist Cameron Sweetnam, this is a feelgood selection of songs, featuring the distinctive vocals of Melville, and the tellingly shared solos between the three soloists. The music ranges from the well thought out, swinging 'Little Margarita' with its unison sax and guitar lines, or the slow burn, six minute epic of 'Jumping off the Loving Train' and, the rockabilly swing of '360 Degree Blues'. to the acoustic ballad and album closer 'Numb The Pain'. Harmonica player Paul Routledge brings the spirit of Chicago to 'I get a little hot', whilst 'My Life' starts life as a slow jazz blues blues piece, before a coda brings the energy levels back up high. This is a very good album, full of fine songs, and performances from an ensemble who's reputation can only grow following this release.

by Ben Macnair