Several artistes have made a massive impact at the excellent blues gigs at Liverpool Marina but none more than Galveston-raised Hamilton Loomis. The extent to which he had transfixed the audience at his first appearance in Liverpool in 2008 was amply demonstrated by the venue’s first full house.

The singer/guitarist from Texas was backed by a fabulous band that comprised two sons of Louisiana, Stratton Doyle on tenor sax and Kent Beatty on bass guitar, and drummer Jamie Little from Birmingham – England, that is, not Alabama. They opened their account with an upbeat, funky instrumental, followed by the heavier beating “Whatever You Want” and the slow and funky “Legendary”. They then upped the tempo with “Working Real Hard”, which features on the Blues In Britain 2009 album.

A taste of New Orleans-style funk and a slow blues made way for a superb bass guitar solo from Kent Beatty before “The Best Worst day Of My Life” led into a heart-felt tribute to the sadly departed Bo Diddley, who had been a major influence on Hamilton Loomis’s development. The tribute was played on a red, box-shaped guitar presented to Loomis by Bo Diddley and suitably signed by ‘The Man’. Jamie Little played a blinder on a terrific version of “Roadrunner”, on which Hamilton used a selection of unlikely slides on his guitar including a mic stand, drums sticks and even Stratton’s sax. The set was concluded with “Take A Number And Stand In Line”, complete with another phenomenal bass guitar cameo.

The harmonica entered the mix on the opening number of the second set, with the main man showing that his instrumental prowess is not limited to the guitar. “In the States,” he declared, “this is known as a Mississippi sax.” “We call it a gob iron”, came the instant repost from one of the punters. Credit is also due to the other band members for their versatility, as Stratton Doyle switched effortlessly between magnificent sax and keyboard all evening and the backing vocals provided by Doyle and Jamie Little were consistently excellent.

Favourite numbers, “No No No”, “What It Is” and “Bow Wow” were particularly well-received, with enthusiastic and impressive participation by the enthralled audience. “Bow Wow” also featured a peregrination around the room by Hamilton Loomis while “Voodoo Doll” set the scene for an entertaining instrumental shoot-out between Loomis and Doyle. “Slow Lover” delivered a fabulous harp solo before drifting in and out of an urgent boogie beat and ending with a heavy-rocking glimpse of “American Woman”. Wonderful stuff.

The wildly demanded encore came in the form of some Texas blues funk to complete a truly memorable evening. Hamilton Loomis is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars of the current blues scene, combining fine vocals and superb instrumental artistry with the priceless ability to work an audience. He is surely destined for a place on the blues top table.

Lionel Ross - Hamilton Loomis at Liverpool Marina – 7th May 2009

When you are as talented as singer/guitarist Hamilton Loomis, the young blues star from Galveston, Texas, you deserve to be supported by the very best of musicians. No problem there then, as on his current UK tour he has brought together a band to die for. His rhythm section comprises two outstanding British maestros: Roger Innis on bass guitar and Jamie Little on drums. The icing on the cake is provided by a master saxophonist, Stratton Doyle from Louisiana.

The full-house audience was floored in the very first round by an upbeat, funky instrumental that gave graphic notice of the delights to follow. “Best Worst Day” was one of several numbers from Hamilton’s latest album, Ain’t Just Temporary, as was the excellent ballad, “Legendary”. “What It is” allowed Loomis to demonstrate his prowess on harmonica, while the funky “No, No, No” demonstrated his admiration for Stevie Wonder. The slowish “You’ve Got To Wait” was followed by the heavier beat of “Voodoo Doll”, which featured some fabulous duelling between Loomis and Doyle on guitar and sax respectively. The first set was concluded in slow and bluesy mood with Hamilton making his first migration from the stage onto the nearest table top, much to the delight of the enthralled assembly.

The second set opened with a jazz-tinged instrumental and a lively shuffle before a truly vibrant delivery of “Slow Lover”, which saw Doyle switching between sax and keyboard and Loomis between guitar and harp. “Bow Wow” reintroduced a heavier beat and featured another tremendous guitar solo while Roger Innis went walkies in the background. A funky mood was never far below the surface and it returned with a vengeance for “Take A Number”, on which Innis provided an unbelievable cameo on bass guitar, Stratton Doyle delivered a fantastic exposition of saxophony and Jamie Little gave a glimpse of his undoubted ability without falling into the trap of over-indulgence, which so often blights drum solos.

Two loudly demanded encores prompted a second peripatetic romp across the tables to complete an evening of superlative entertainment. It really doesn’t get any better than this and the premier league must now be beckoning: and that is undoubtedly where Hamilton Loomis belongs.

Lionel Ross - 2008 Harbourside Club, Liverpool

Have you ever ventured far from home only to discover that the answer you were looking for was in your own back yard? My back yard is Texas, but I journeyed to Bayfront Festival Park on Lake Superior to find my answer. The answer surfaced in a musical genius named Hamilton Loomis.

Hamilton, a native Texan, is one of the most ingenious blues musicians that I have had the good fortune to experience. His original style and energetic performance transformed the fest at the 19th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival. Hamilton exploded onto the Grain Belt Premier Beer Stage in Duluth MN as he mesmerized the crowd with his lightning quick guitar and accomplished vocals. Loomis truly exudes the blues as he intimately intertwines his harmonica with his masterful guitar playing.

The highlight of his performance ignited the crowd when he jumped off the stage to playfully dance with his audience. Hamilton traversed through the throng of fest folk as he delighted them with his innovative musical talents and warm, friendly smile. His journey led him right past me as he played his way back up to join his band. The energy sparking from his soul was absolutely transforming as he went by.

Seeing Hamilton Loomis would have been reward enough for my trip to Duluth.

Darice “Luster” Kurtzer, Blue Monday Magazine, Sept. 2007

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