Hailing from the Oxford area, THE MISSING PERSIANS are a relatively newly formed band. Playing at this charming, out of the way pub ‘The Rock of Gibraltar’, on the outskirts of Enslow, the band consisted of Chris Cox on vocals, acoustic guitar and mandolin, John Keston-Hole on electric guitar, vocals, Chas Maguire on bass, upright electric bass and vocals. Nick Clack on drums and the fifth member of the band, although not an instrumentalist, the sound man John Jacobs known to most as JJ.
The band are not set in one genre of music and play a mixed bag from blues to folk rock … from soul to reggae, which adds to the interest, with many self penned tracks.
The opening number tonight was a twelve bar with an ‘edge’ .. a bit of ‘Indian Boogie’, and a real foot tapper. Some nice guitar work from John and good harmonies. Following this was ‘Deep Sea Fishing Blues’ . Great vocals from Chris and to me some reminiscence of the Beautiful South.
‘Square Peg In A Round Hole’ is a really lovely track with the use of great harmonies. A definite west coast influence and building on rock. ‘China’ however, a foot stomper, had a leaning towards the blues. Chas playing the excellent upright bass for this number.
On to a lovely lyrical and melodic track, ‘No Purpose’ , which maybe had a touch of Lou Reed? But the next number, a Ry Cooder classic ‘Little Sister’, was executed with perfection, again with Chas on upright bass.
Bringing the tempo down for the ‘Third Of November’ which was a lilting, lyrical more folky song an atmospheric number with some great percussion from Nick and addition of a rocky guitar solo from John, with nice vocals and acoustic guitar from Chris.
Getting into the Southern Rock, ‘Blue Baby’ was a melodic track reminding me of Crosby, Stills Nash and Young. The next song, a cover, ‘He’ll Have To Go’ was well played by the band, with Chas on upright bass. The last number in this first set and raising the tempo, a great ‘rockin’ number, ‘We Fit Together’ , with a class guitar solo from John.
Starting off the second set a Grateful Dead number, ‘A Touch Of Grey’, with a bit of Southern Rock /Americana, it was John on main vocals this time, an easy listen, up tempo track. Then into a twelve bar blues ‘Suitcase Blues’ with some cracking acoustic guitar from Chris and electric input from John.
A bit of soul influence with the next number , ‘Incurable Disease’ but with a ‘sweet’ sound. Leading on to the slow melodic ‘Liberation Day’ which reminded me of a George Harrison style of writing.
The ‘pièce de résistance’ came in the form of the Ian Dury number ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’. A brilliant take on this track sung by Chas, which had everybody ‘rockin’!! Then moving onto an easy listen number taken from country rock band, Amazing Rhythm Aces,’ Third Rate Romance’.
A nice up tempo cover of the JJ Cale number ‘Cajan Moon’ with some brilliant mandolin playing from Chris. A great track and it was also the show case for the band members to do their solo spots. this led nicely into the classic Americana track, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. With Chris on mandolin again, it was a great band sound.
‘Move On’ started with Chris doing a great job on acoustic guitar, then led onto a rocky ending. The next number, a funky blues, ‘Room With Richards’ had a nice bit of wah,wah, pedal. Then a great up tempo country blues number ‘Think’.
‘Text Message’ had some great guitar input and nice rhythms. Then a change in tempo to a nice bit of Reggae, ‘Every Now And Then’. The last track had a real 50’s feel with a bit of rockabilly ‘Old Man’s Shoes’ Chas on upright bass again.
A great end to a great evening. THE MISSING PERSIANS are certainly a band to watch out for. The breadth of the music they play is what makes them a band with character. You can’t get bored as ‘variety is the spice of life’ and they certainly show they have that!