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.... and here they are again, almost exactly one year after my first meeting with the Hamburg Blues Band. For a quick explanation.... This here is most of all Alex Conti, the legendary guitarist of Lake and the man, who has been named as Germany's best guitarist in the seventies. And he probably still is. Lake who have been named as the german answer to Steely Dan, are back again with a bit of a line up change inbetween, but it's the Hamburg Blues Band nowadays, in which all his heart and soul is fixed. 
Next to Conti is Gert Land, who is also known in musicians circles as the ferrari between all those mini coopers. His voice is unique and very black and just right fot ghe blues and most of all absolutely free of accent. Probably one of the best voices next to the best guitar within Germany's musical landscape. Those two are accompanied by Hans Wallbaum on drums and Michael Becker on bass. By the way, Becker is playing with Alex Conti also in Lake, though he ain't no original member of this artrock band.  

However, my usual strong scepsis against german artists is vanishing almost immidiately with the first tune of the Hamburg Blues Band. Because here we got the Blues, like the name says, - the Blues Rock. And it really rocks for many years now, just to get it right. 
No these are no melancholic Mississippi folkblues neat songs. This here is Rock'n'Roll with just a touch of Bluesrhythm, created by great musicians and excellent reffs and,  like I mentioned before, a very black voice. 



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I have to say, that this group is very well known in the north of Germany and the musicscene up there. But here in the south they are still not that well known under this name. That's why the Hamburg Blues Band plays exclusively in clubs on their extensive tour. And what is better suited then the Village Club in Habach. This place is just 30 minutes drive from munich away, and it is known for it's interesting program and concerts, like this one tonight.
It's well crowded here with old and young people well mixed. And it's the girls of all ages, who are dancing in the very front to the sexy voice of Gert Lande and the great guitarplaying of Alex Conti. Yep, there is a hell of a movement within this room and a good vibe. You can watch the increase of the bands pleasure to play. 
Later on Gert says, that his voice has not been the best that night. But to be honest, noone felt anything like that including myself. But, it is obvious, that the boys feel very well at so much devotion and sparkling eyes of those ladies. No joke, - even guys of the average early fiveties age can develop to sexsymbols with their music. And this means a hell of a selfconfidence for these gentlemen who are putting this feeling into their playing again. Round and round and round.
And because it's so wonderful, in the end for the usual encore, we get a very new track presented, never played live by the band before, which will be on the next album, coming out sometime next year. 
Over all, this band here could have played the whole night nonstop and throughout with their Muddy Waters meets Jimi Hendrix mixture, and it would still be not enough. But two hours is alright for us. Well done again Boys, and...... yes we gotta save a bit condition for the aftershow action, don't we.... 
Thank you it's been a great night out in every way !!! 

                                                                                
http://www.hamburgbluesband.de/index1.html

Whoever has become curious about this lot now,but missed it, has got the chance to check the Hamburg Blues Band out again in Munich on nov. 17. in Munich at the Titanic City Club