Sons of the Desert at the Nagshead Friday 30th July By Jane Foster

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Sons of the Desert are a 9-piece soul covers band who have been dishing out their fine meaty goods to the people of 'ull for roundabout a decade..give or take a few changes in their line-up over the years. Last time I saw them was last Christmas at the selfsame pub, and I thought they were rather grand then, so I thought it was high time to give them a review..

There haven't been many reviews on thisisUll.com for bands who play mainly covers, in fact I would hazard a guess that a certain percentage of this website's readership would probably sneer at the mere mention of such an outfit.

Why? Is it cos they're young whippersnappers and ne'er do wells who haven't yet got a musical past to look back on, and sigh?..and who should be out stealing cars rather than looking down their wee pert noses at folks who appreciate a bit o' the stuff that, well, we have heard before.. but ne'ertheless like to hear again..and possibly again. We become soft buggers in our old age..

Anyway enough of that geriatric grumbling. The Nagshead on Newland Avenue is not the best venue for any band to play in, given the style and positioning of what passes for the performance area. It's right at the end of the pub, round a bend, so that you can't actually see the band unless you're more or less directly in front of them.

I think the area was originally intended just for playing darts in, which is fine and dandy, but then someone decided to put bands on afterwards. There's too many high wooden railings which block off the band and make it nearly impossible to take pictures. Oh well never mind..

Sons of the Desert performed really well tonight, much more together than when I last saw them at Christmas. The thing that makes this band really strong is the three-piece brass section, providing the necessary kick for some numbers. They belted out great tunes such as I Feel Good, Son of a Preacher Man and Help From My Friends. But my favourite was an unexpected rendition of The Specials, Rudy, a Message to You. I think they should do more of this stuff but then I'm a biased ska - lover.

They've got two lead singers, one male one female, who sing perfect harmonies. And I learned that at least three of the band live down Ella Street, lending further evidence to my Everyone Lives Down Ella Street theory. It's true you know. They do.

I hear from the band that they named themselves after a Laurel and Hardy film. Just one of many interesting facts about this lot..other facts? Two of them are also writers in their spare time - Steve the bass player and Kippa the singer are both members of the Hull Blokes writing group . I saw their recent showcase of pieces in the Hull Literature Festival and was quite impressed. The group were originally formed by local writer Gill I live with Dan from Big Brother, me Adams..

Even more facts. Kippa the singer told me his day job is delivering beds. This led to a very interesting conversation about contemporary bed design which turned out to be quite educational. Apparently, there are new beds out now which are proven to be better for your back than those of old. The mattress takes on the shape of your body and leaves an impression of it there long after you've got up, had a shave (or a shower, depending on your gender) and gone to work.

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