As the first band to be signed to Noel Gallagher’s ‘Sour Mash’ record label, Proud Mary first arrived on the English music scene to a torrent of Oasis comparisons and over-zealous hype. However, their first album, the ironically named ‘Same Old Blues’ stood up for itself as it represented the quartet as a laid back, tight uplifting country-rock band.

Now, three years later they are back touring the country with fellow North-Westerners The Burn, and last night, the tour rolled around to Preston’s Mill.

Driving force

Lacking the usual support from The Lanes, The Burn took to the stage first off to try stoking up some of the flames lit by their first album. Having lost a member since last year’s tour, they seemed to lack the passion and driving force that made their friendly brand of electro-acoustic blues sound, well, a bit bland. Needless to say they received rapturous applause from the largely partisan crowd.

The new bluegrass Burn did, however, save their set by
throwing in some of their older numbers. Calling All gave the crowd
a chance to sing and Steel Kneel added some diversity with the drummer taking on temporary vocal duties.

Patchwork

With the arrival of Proud Mary, The Mill became decidedly more interested in the stage and even a hint of tension glazed the air. Sadly, Proud Mary is barely a hint of its former, youthful self, having to draft it session musicians on lead guitar, drums and keyboard, as well as ex-Smiths bassist Andy Rourke.

The new, patchwork line-up retained the typically simple Proud Mary sound and the keyboard added another dimension, giving a much broader and fuller display. Singer Greg Griffin’s awe-inspiring voice showed signs of wear and tear after two weeks touring, yet still pitching perfectly throughout the set.

Promising Crop

Proud Mary aired songs off their new album which, true to form, tell stories of love, drinking, travelling and god, and reside under names such as Mexico, Rain On Me and Blues.

If, like Listen Up, anyone was disappointed with the exclusion of first album classics such as Same Old Blues and Give A Little Love, then all was forgiven as both bands emerged for a fantastic ten-minute rendition of The Rolling Stones ‘Salt Of The Earth’ which had the whole Mill singing in unison, as the remnants of 2001’s stagnant English music scene battled hard to re-establish themselves among the promising crop of new talent.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy

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