Just three months after Jim Simpson moved Henry’s Blueshouse into Snobs on Broad Street, the famous live music night is helping to launch a new CD at the venue.
The Shakedown Brothers, from Leicester, will be releasing their hot-off-the-press ‘Next In Line’ CD during their gig at Snobs tonight – the latest in the regular Tuesday night Henry’s slots formed 56 years ago.
The band, which recorded their new release at the Gospel Oak Recording Studio near Warwick, have been reflecting the blues of Albert King, The Allman Brothers and Muddy Waters since 2022.
They made their last city appearance during this summer’s 40th anniversary of the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, founded by its director Jim Simpson in 1985.
Singer and guitarist Rick Rogers said: “The decision to launch our CD album in Birmingham was a no-brainer. We play all over the country, and Birmingham has the best blues audience we find anywhere.
“There’s a real love and understanding of this music and it seems that Brum’s audience just can’t get enough of it!”
The band’s line-up also includes Steve Rollings (piano), Neil Barker (bass guitar) and drummer Keith Hewitson.
‘Next In Line’ includes two original songs written by Rick – the title track and ‘Ain’t No Friend Of Mine’.
The original Henry’s Blueshouse launched in 1968 at the Crown Hotel in Station Street – where Ozzy Osbourne first took to a stage with Black Sabbath forerunners Earth – and ran every Tuesday under the flag ‘Tuesdays is Bluesdays’.
The Henry’s nights at Snobs regularly include a paid-for raffle with the chance to win a copy of the first collective picture of Black Sabbath stars Ozzy, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, taken by Jim himself.
Jim, who has been running Big Bear Records since 1968, said: “Just 91 days after we moved to Snobs it’s fantastic that we are already helping a great band to launch a new album there – live music properly played is what Henry’s Blueshouse is still all about after more than half a century.”
The Shakedown Brothers can be seen at Snobs tonight from 8pm, with doors open at 7pm. Admission is free.
Photo of Jim Simpson outside Snobs by Graham Young for Westside BID
