Cuillin Blue with Blue On Black, Saturday 10/2/07 The Met, Bury. What an amazing night, they wanted to show off what they could do and they did. This was their first "big" gig for Cuillin Blue with their buddies Blue On Black. The enthusiasm-smiley factor was set to maximum and they exploded into action at just after eight at The Met, Bury. The band have great stage presence with Marsha flirting and a broad grin on Chris Cullen's face. Their music has an edge and a twist; the mandatory Help Me (the song based on Green Onions) was performed as a duet, The Beatles' Help was slowed down and made into a major league power ballad that treated it as the love song originally written. One highlight for me was following an amazing guitar solo that received a well deserved cheer that segued into Marsha's amazing vocal. It was as if the audience had been rehearsed for just that bit. Their next gig is Feb 15 at my old haunt The Robin Hood, Bury. I'm not sure how they'll squeeze in the pub as two record boxes, a twin deck and speakers fill half the lounge!  Following the interval was Blue On Black's bit. The three piece have gigged in t'North several times and always sell out when they're in the area. These lads are amazing to watch, the drummer Alan Ibbotson has to be seen (and heard) to be believed. I always thought that Rick Lacey was a loud drummer until I saw this guy in action. He uses a pneumatic drill to hit the snare. From the second they are on stage, the drums kick in during the introduction and then bang, it's into their first song. The bass player Steve Jones stands legs apart and does not budge for the whole hour (his nick-name's The Rock). A great bit of banter comes from from Allan with added jibes as "That's what you get when you give the drummer a mic..." The lads were on form and the hour's music flew by. The last chunk was a merging of the two bands, Cuillin Blue On Black. Marsha shared vocals with Chris and Keith, guitarists Pete Scullion and Keith Howe duelled and gelled with perfection. Rick Lacey ran around the stage with his camera, Chris Cullen picked up a guitar and Kelvin Barlow hopped between the harmonica and keyboards. The whole atmosphere at The Met was wondrous, the gang on the stage having just a s much fun as the hundred or so appreciating great live music. Midnight came and my ears had the hum of a great night's music. Cuillin Blue and Blue on Black will be appearing at The Ramsbottom Blues Festival in June. Check back here for details as they emerge from Mr. Cullen's email machine.