The Freddy James Band at The Tap and Spile, Spring Bank 3rd Sunday of every month By Elsie Creek

The Freddy James Band is traditional, old-school live blues playing at its finest. They like to consider their music as a variation on an old theme, changing rhythms and riffs to add interest to what is essentially a very simple format. You can see the restraint it takes the Tap's patrons not to get up and dance, as they sit over their real ales, involuntarily swaying their shoulders and tapping their feet to the beat.

It is no slight to the band that people rarely dance, of course: it is more indicative of the Hull mentality. Once someone drunk enough to take the initiative gets up, the repressed masses quickly rise to their feet to twist and boogie the night away. Guitarist and singer Freddy's voice is ideal for the music: growly and expressive. He has three types of guitar, between which he alternates to suit each song. In addition to singing, he manages to successfully combine both rhythm and lead guitars into one noteworthy performance.

Bassist Willow provides tight rhythmic backing, his hands wandering in an apparently random fashion over the fretboard. He is so relaxed, it's a wonder he can stand up, let alone manage to hit all the right notes - though naturally he does. His unconventional basslines add another dimension to this interpretation of the blues.

Freddy and Willow look and sound the part, but their choice of drummer is unexpected: Richard looks twelve years old (though he is actually about eighteen) and his eyes never leave the older pair as he keeps time. His appearance is not only at odds with the band's image; his brilliant drumming is all the more impressive for his not looking old enough to have had much practice!

Hull venues are well known for their dislike of original material, and the Tap is no exception. It is sad, but in order for bands to get gigs, they must do covers - presumably in the interests of being crowd-friendly. There seems little point when it comes to blues, however. The Freddy James Band includes only one original in their set, as far as I am aware - Death Wish Blues - but the format, style and lyrics are so standard to the genre that I doubt even a dedicated blues nut would suss it. Similarly, all the originals on Freddy's solo album Tubed (for which he calls himself The Doctor) could be taken for popular hits from a few decades back.

There is little noticeable change in the set from month to month, and although Freddy protests about this, I think it would take more concentration than possessed by anyone in the Tap to work out what the differences are. Even the commentary remains largely the same. Still, why change a winning formula? People keep coming back and enjoying themselves.

I am quite a recent convert to the blues, and it is principally thanks to this talented trio. They reinforce the fact that simple chord progressions are the basis of the best music in terms of emotive influence and sheer power. Being limited in this way forces the musicians to be far more creative in other ways, and shows their flair clearly.

Freddy is at heart a solo artist, and a highly gifted one. The band is obviously a tool to showcase his music. However, his sound is greatly improved by having an excellent bassist and drummer backing him. Though his album is good, I have high hopes that the one currently being recorded by the full band will be even better.

The Tap also holds blues open mic nights - Blues on Tap - each fortnight, on the Sunday either side of the Freddy James Band. Freddy and Willow usually attend - for more information, you can contact Graham on 491729. Freddy also runs a boogie-woogie night at the Black Boy, in Hull's Old Town, every Thursday night. Pianists come to show off their stuff or do duets, but the idea is to improvise. Freddy has a website, www.freddy-james.net, and his email is thefreddyjames@hotmail.com . Alternatively, he'll be happy to talk to you at one of his musical events.

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