• 'Spikedrivers provide an evening of outstanding, impressive and entertaining blues' Blueprint

• 'An excellent slide guitarist, blessed with a voice to match' Jagz

• 'A sound which is fresh, exciting and always entertaining' Blueprint

• 'Outstanding! First-class acoustic blues.' Country Music Radio

• 'Nothing short of excellent! These guys are worth hearing.' Blueprint

• 'Another night of great delta blues' 12 Bar Club

Spikedrivers are Ben Tyzack, playing sweet guitar, harmonica, brass section (see below) and vocals, with recent additions Constance Redgrave on bass and vocals, and Maurice McElroy on drums and vocals. They are a band who get requests to turn up, not down, and the three elements of drums, frequently brushed, bass never obtrusive, and Ben's guitar stylings - more on this later - combine to produce a sound which is fresh, exciting and always entertaining.

Previously Spikedrivers have used double bass - more traditional it's true - but Constance is a very experienced blues bass player and her playing dovetails beautifully with Ben's guitar. Her voice has a laconic American feel - not put on because Constance is American - and her solo feature, 'Rhythm Guitar', was well received and well sung. Her voice also blends well with Ben's when singing backup vocals.

The surprise for me of the evening was Maurice's vocal feature called 'Am I High' - not the strongest voice on the scene but delivered with confidence and a great sense of humour as befits a very funny song. Maurice is probably one of Britain's hardest working drummers too and it is easy to hear why - always driving the music along without dropping a beat, altering tempo or adding those irritating fills that so many other drummers feel are obligatory.  

Ben has a line up of impressive vintage guitars, including a lovely Gibson with a really jazzy feel and Dualian resonator used for some really tasteful slide guitar. If you are looking for extended solos, this is not the band for you because they specialise in songs and soloing is short, to the point and always complements the song and its mood. High spot of the evening could be Ben's modified kazoo, which has an empty Brasso tin added for a special muted touch - the Brasso section indeed! To make the evening really special we were treated to two rather special guests - both harmonica players. Tim Hill, who specialises in a country-cum Chicago style, was perfect accompaniment to 'Hard To Get', and Lee Sankey who can blow in every style from down home blues to jazz, was outstanding in a very Sonny Boy Williamson (the second that is) style on 'Stop Breakin' Down'. Then - joy of joys - both of them joined the band for the final number - 'Rollin' And Tumblin'' indeed! Spikedrivers provide an evening of outstanding, impressive and entertaining blues.

The Chelsea Blues Festival ... Norma Victor - Blueprint

Things got of to a splendid start with the Spikedrivers. Some lovely twangy Dobro and chugging harp from leader Ben Tyzack on 'I Be Troubled' was typical of their authentic, but not in the least pedantic, style. An interesting inclusion in their set was the rarely heard Rev. Robert Wilkins' 'Prodigal Son'.

Maryport Blues Festival ... Bob Tilling - Blueprint

The afternoon acoustic concert, held in the marquee, again had an appreciative audience, opening with a band that I had not seen before, The Spikedrivers. This trio has a unique style with interpretations of early country blues with a twist that is very much their own. They included material from the likes of Mississippi John Hurt and Willie Moore, capturing much of the original feel while bringing it up to date.

... Andy Bennett - Blueprint

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