Just (well 20 minutes ago) walked through the door after a fantastic show (as usual, I have to say) from Pat Buchanan and Jeff Finlin, two of the nicest, most genuine and sincere guys who ever strapped on a guitar... Pat's gurning skills improve year on year... he pulls faces that would scare trolls, all the while pulling riffs that would scare many a guitar 'god' - the man is a genius I tell you!   His new songs (a couple of which those of you who got the EP last time he was here will have heard) have a subtlety and lyrical depth which has definitely developed from his Idle Jets stuff, and the guitar pyrotechnics don't (quite) drown the good songwriting. 

Mr Finlin, on the other hand, is never going to win a gurning contest, but his vocal gymnastics and sheer songwriting brilliance will always make up for that... Somewhere South of Wonder is probably excellent if the songs he showcased tonight are anything to go by, and the old favourites sounded fresh as a daisy too! If they're rolling into a town near you, beg steal or borrow the money for a ticket. 

Last word to Jeff: "It ain't nothin' but a good time" WWHHHOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! 

Pauly_C 

For those of you going to see Jeff & Pat at The Borderline on Saturday, you're in for a treat.  Jeff Finlin and Pat Buchanan performed last night at Maidstone's Soul Cafe.   The two of them were obviously having a great time and, I think, changed their approach slightly for an audience who, in the main, were unfamiliar with their output.  They both played a lot from their new albums (Kevin M please take note) and the crowd was hugely entertained.   One of my friends, who had never even heard of Jeff before the night, went home clutching 2 CDs! 

Great to see JG again - hope you got a good night's sleep, John, and can I just urge all of you within striking distance of a venue, to get yourselves there.   These two just get better and better!

maidstone_nic

Great show by Jeff and Pat in Maidstone last night, both nice guys as well, always a bonus.   Good to see Nic and JohnG again,  roll on Rod and Fred. 

bobble318 

Saw the Jeff and Pat show in Bristol and was, as always, deeply impressed.   Lovely guys, with honest songs, beautifully conceived and performed.   I knew Jeff played the drums in a previous incarnation but he still surprised me with his playing.   His interplay with Pat on "Footprints in the Clouds" (totally unrehearsed) was an absolute joy. 

One comment:  Jeff played drums in Pat's set, but, of course, stood out front with acoustic guitar for his own.   For me, this slightly detracted from his rockier songs which would've really benefited from a driving beat.   I know the finances made it impossible and it was great to see they picked up the excellent Paul Riley as a bass player at only a couple of days notice.   A shame too as I was with a mate in the audience who's no mean drummer himself and could've sat in with a quick rehearsal. 

Johnh

Just back home from a week dashing up & down this island.   I saw Pat & Jeff twice this week & both nights was treated to a display of magical guitar playing from Pat and such evocative use of the "English" language from Jeff.   It's very hard to put in words how they become one on stage, whether it's with Pat's set or Jeff's set.   The only downbeat was the lack of numbers at The Carnival, but those that were there had the finest musical quality and 2 musicians having a ball of a time.   Thanks very much to all. 

Good to see Nic and John again, but Pauly (puncture)!!!!!! I will buy the beer.;-) 

Billlew

Just got back in from the Buddle. 

In three words:   Jeff & Pat.... Brilliant. 

Rhinohide 

Just saw Pat and Jeff at the Buddle in Newcastle.   Also saw Melrrose and Alan Teather.   Wish I had seen you before you went Alan but good to see you anyway. 

Can't add to what Alan said in review.   Obviously we are fans but we weren't let down. 

Jeff said "Original Fin" never came out in the USA and he doesn't have a deal there.   Come over here Bonny Lad, spend a year building it up and go back in triumph 

Tony Schofield 

Hi folks, 

Saw Pat and Jeff last night, or was it this morning, as we never got in till after 1 am.   Great night with Pat on Guitar and Jeff on Drums to start with and that was it.   A perfect combo.    Also there was the lovely Melrrrose who I met for the first time and contrary to popular belief she isn't all that scary!!! ;-)    I also met Abbie Kate who I'd previously met at one of Rod Picott's gigs.    Also spotted was the fabulous Tony S and a good few of those I saw at the other Pat and Jeff gigs at the Turks Head ( R.I.P.) and The Office. 

Pat & Jeff opened with You Lose followed by The Luckiest Girl and Smile On My Face.    Banter all the way and some real mean guitar work and gurning from Pat.   Obviously the drums were as special, as it was the multi-talented Jeff who was bashing the skins!   If you are at the London gig tonight then look out for the tam o'shanter (Scottish hat), cow horn and keys for the bass drum!   If you don't see it tonight I'll explain tomorrow.    The last time they came over they had a band with them which was as enjoyable as this time.    I know it's hard to compare band versus combo versus acoustic, but it just goes to show how superb and talented these two are when they can perform in all these different guises. 

The next song was written about when the children grow up and fly the coop so to speak, and it was called Don't Forget To Write.   Following that Pat played All The Umbrellas from the first cd and straight away followed with Under The Sun.    Pat then recounted the times where his wife says that he never writes a song for her so he did and sang it for us. It was called Count The Ways. 

Jeff took a break for the next song which Pat played beautifully.   He never actually told the crowd the title so as I was taking notes I tentatively titled it Feeling Better Now.   It went down really well with the crowd.   I asked Pat at the interval what it was called.   He replied that he didn't have a title for it so said yes that's what its called.   So if you see a track on a future album called Feeling better now then it was me who titled it. ;-)    It's little bits like this that for me makes the difference between the gigs we go to and the mass commercial "Barnatoriums" gigs of the "pop stars" or those that are (pseudo) "famous".

Jeff came back on and the next song was The World Is Flat, followed by Mallory, Enemy and finally Footprints In The Clouds. 

Pat's set list: 

You Lose 
The Luckiest Girl 
Smile On My Face
Don't Forget To Write 
All The Umbrellas 
Under the Sun 
Count The Ways 
Feeling Better Now  (solo) 
The World Is Flat 
Mallory 
Enemy 
Footprints In The Clouds 

After the break they came back and Jeff started with I Am The King.    Delta Down quickly followed and then Jeff told of how everyone migrated to Nashville a while ago to "Become Famous" and then everyone seemed to disperse a few years later.   He likened this to the Romans who saw the lovely little city called Pompeii and all rushed there.  This led into the next song called West of Rome. 

Sugar Blue, Alchemy and Waiting On A Flood quickly followed with Pat adding some sublime guitar work and both Pat and Jeff bouncing off of each other.    It was very obvious that they were enjoying themselves and why they are getting the critical acclaim that they both deserve.   Pat left the stage for a drink and Jeff played She's a Mama Now with solo acoustic. 

When Pat came back Jeff explained that when he was free and young he lived in a southern town and he'd come in on a Saturday night... about 7 am (Sunday) and the Baptist church over the road would start singing shortly after that!  Hence the title of the next song, Sunday's Forgivin'.    Following this they played The Perfect Mark of Cain and the next one was Miracle Along The Way. 

The guitar work of Jeff was pure sublime quality of the first order but Pat was just that little bit more sublime, but I'm biased in that was as I love Pat's guitar playing and he has actually inspired my son to take up guitar the last time he was over.   Pat offered Aaron the opportunity to play his guitar but as ever Aaron being shy said maybe next time.   Well, he is only 13. 

The final two songs were Where Do We Go, and finishing with Ain't Nothing But a Good Time and I really think it was "Ain't nothing but a good time" had by all in the room.   Pat & Jeff couldn't get out without at least one encore and they more or less summed up our feelings on the night when they played Love and Happiness. 

Jeff's set list: 

I Am The King 
Delta Down 
West of Rome
Sugar Blue 
Alchemy 
Waiting On A Flood 
She's A Mama Now (solo) 
The Perfect Mark of Cain 
Miracle Along The Way 
Where Do We Go
Ain't nothing but a good time 

Encore:  Love & Happiness

Tonight is the last night so get to London if there are tickets still available. 

Take care, 

Alan AKA Ol' Rhinohide 

Good morning to Wanda, Pauly C, Sarah, Malcolm, Bob, Gail and John and I hope your hearing has now returned!  Last night at The Borderline was simply astonishing - here were 4 guys who were just having the best time whilst effortlessly playing some of the most searing music I have heard in years.  Add to this some fabulous solos by Pat B accompanied by those trademark grimaces of his and it's no wonder my jaw is aching this morning. Yours would be too if you'd been grinning for 3 hours!

Having seen Jeff and Pat last year I was expecting more of the same (and would have been very happy if that had been the case) but this was a quantum leap in sheer exuberance and togetherness.  Jeff's songs sounded even better with such great backing and the new songs he performed means another CD to be added to my wish list.   I'm sure John G will let me know when it is out. 

Best moment of the evening!   A toss-up between seeing the normally so smooth Windmill Bob air guitaring along to one of Pat B's solos or meeting Pat afterwards and being thanked for coming along!   You guys in Leicester, South Shields and Hull - tie your socks on!!

Apparently, The Borderline have promised them a weekend slot with more promotion the next time they play there, which is fabulous news for all concerned including Jimmy Greaves lookalike Mr Graveling who even got his name checked in the middle of one of Jeff's songs when he was doing his best impression of a waiter!

So, did I have a good time?   What do you think?   Do I urge every one of you to get to see them?  You bet.   If Pauly C can make it from Bow to Hull then what's your excuse?   Alan, you've got it wrong this time my old mate - this will be the best gig of the YEAR!

Maidstone Nic

Well, the mighty bandwagon rolled into The Musician in Leicester tonight.   Astonished that Pat remembered me from the Old Chapel gig in Brum with Kevin.   Absolutely on fire from the start... a great, great night.   Jeff Finlin just seems to get better and better too. 

Got to add a word for the drummer... apparently stepped in at the last moment for the tour... learnt the playlist on the 'plane over! (or was that one of Pat's jokes?)   Must add a word for the venue too.   Intimate (think 12 Bar but a bit bigger)... and a great atmosphere... a real gem for these parts where we so often seem to miss out. 

I've got my Kim Richey tickets for Sunday and Slaid Cleaves next week.  Oh Susannah coming up, Gretchen Peters, Robbie Fulks, Kevin Montgomery...  I think I'll move the 20 miles to Leicester. 

http://www.themusicianpub.co.uk/

Tony G

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS   Oh Man that was one hell of a gig last night!!   Of course I'm talking about Jeff Finlin, Pat Buchanan and the Idle jets.  So good was it that the Turks Head is going to hold auditions for a tribute band called the "Lazy Gets"

Whoever said tie your socks on they were right, by the third number in there was a distinct cheesy smell in the air of all these socks being blown away.   Pat opened with backing from the lads and Jeff then, half way through and after an interval of only 2 minutes Jeff took the lead and the whole night was just mesmeric.   I can't remember the song titles but they are all on the two albums, Atomic Fireball and Original Fin. Buy them NOW. 

Pat also said that the track Footprints in the Clouds (?)  is going to be on the new BH Presents album Vol 2 and he really did pay homage to Bob and the whole audiences over here  (but we in S/S were the best)

Now I know there is a huge following for Wor' Kev on this site and I'm one of them, but Kevin my man, you are going to have to play OUT OF YOUR SKIN when you come to The Turk Head in May if you want the accolade of best gig of the year.   Nic you were right (even though you support Man U)  it truly was a night of sheer exuberance.

It was especially good for me as Amanda and our son Aaron went along with me, they met John G, Tony, Liz and Peter H ( hi folks) and THEY ARE CONVERTED 100% to our music instead of Barbershop and boy/girl bands!!!   We were sitting right under the speakers and the opening whine from Pat's guitar nearly blew Aaron off his seat.  His face was grinning from ear to ear, wasn't it Liz.

It's ok sitting in the sterile purgatory of the Arena set ups watching Steps with 2000 other etc but this just totally blew his mind.  Prior to the gig Aaron couldn't decide whether he wanted to take up drumming or guitar at school but after last night it is drumming, oh well time to clean the garage out I guess!

Which brings me nicely onto the drummer.  The story is remarkable for me so here it is.  The original drummer got appendicitis 8 hours before the lads flew over so it was arranged for this stand in drummer to meet the lads at the airport.   Never even seen each other so I'm told, but he listened to the two albums on a Walkman on the flight over here and then went into the tour to play and play he did. He is one truly awesome drummer.   On one song he was using his hands instead of sticks, he bust a stick on another song and the timing between Pat and Kevin on drums was blisteringly as one.   Kevin, the bass guitarist was also truly magic, with all of the lads so tight together.

Do I go on, naw I think you've got the message by now.   It truly was an awesome night and after about 6 encores the lads were finally rescued by the archaic licensing laws and then it was time for Aaron to buy his own set of albums which I'm sure are going to get some stick today on the hifi.   A McDonalds and on the journey home saw us all at our house at around 1am with our heads and hearts ringing to the tunes of the Idle Jets.

Pat and Jeff said they will be back, probably in the autumn or is that the fall, but whenever they do, get your tickets early and someone remind me to get to every gig possible.   Finally thank you to the lads, especially but also Tony S, John G and all those who have been left behind whilst the lads are over here enthralling us all.

Take care

Alan
(Alan Teather, aka “Rhinohide”)

Thank you Alan. You seem to have covered it pretty damn well.

We had been looking forward to this gig ever since I spoke to John G last summer and he mentioned the possibility.   The situation reminded me of the story in a Mick Jagger biography where a groupie told her story along the following lines.   She had wanted to try out Jagger in the sack, and fantasised about how good he would be.   She bedded Daltrey, Plant, Page et al and after each encounter thought "fantastic but not as good as Jagger".  This was such a repetitive affair that she worried that when she eventually got to the great man she would again think "fantastic but not as good as Jagger".   When she did accomplish her ambition he was (she reckoned)  fantastic and much better then Jagger!!!    A salacious way perhaps of describing how one's expectancies can be surpassed?    Maybe, but that is how good last night was.

We will see people who play as well together and give us just as memorable nights, but this is now the benchmark.  I do not believe the Idle Jets and Jeff F can possibly be surpassed in a small intimate venue, in front of an appreciative crowd.  We look forward to Kevin and Doug in May and if they are as good, which I believe they are capable of, another memorable night in the Hub of The Universe is guaranteed.

A short note about Jeff Finlin.   His "Original Fin" album was my favourite album of last year. Some of the live performances of his material last night seduced me into buying it again.   He is a major talent with words and music and I don't expect we will get too many more opportunities to see him in such circumstances.   I am deeply grateful to John Graveling for introducing me to this great artist (amongst many other things) and bringing him with such awesome musicians to come and play for us.

The egos one has to endure when putting on a tired old Geordie/Yorkshire (fill in your appropriate region) blues band can sometimes stretch your patience.  The likes of Pat Buchanan and Doug Pettibone, stellar talents both, are an example to our home grown prima donnas.  Not just in taste and ability but in general friendliness, helpfulness and genuine nice person-ness.

Tony Schofield

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said about South Shields?

Well could say it was more than bloody bracing this morning when I went out on to the beach!   Or that i ran the risk of catching foot and mouth by trying to visit Hadrian's Wall (don't ask !!!)    BUT that would miss the point of this posting. 

Last night was absolutely fantastic.   Jeff Finlin was brilliant, mervellous etc, and The Idle Jets weren't far behind him for excellence either. 

Just as impressive was meeting fellow whisperers face to face.   And a VERY SPECIAL mention to Tony S, whose welcome and generosity know  no bounds.   Thanks all for a rewarding end to a long journey.

Liz Hannah

Well, JohnG made me feel guilty last night, saying I hadn't posted for a while but working away from home and computer makes it difficult to fit everything on the short weekends.   I try and help out in the local as beer taster and test the bar stools.

On Thursday I managed to test one of the stools at the Musician in Leicester, ably assisted by Bob Cheevers on the next stool, while Jeff and The Idle Jets did the Business!   What can be said that hasn't already been said on these pages. 

Jeff's songs really rocked with the full sound behind him.   A great and hospitable venue and decent beer.

Well last night, I invited my brother along to The NEW Adelphi club, whatever happened to the old one?   A major cultural shock to him, but the music took his breath away.   A great opening set from Bob Cheevers, what a voice, what a storyteller, moving tales, light-hearted tales and a great variety in style.   Pigeon hole him under T for talented.   I've been listening to the 2 Cds all day. Thanks Johng for the introduction.

Then it was Pat's turn and isn't he mesmerising to watch, whether it's the guitar caressing or the 'gurning' that goes with it.   I also must mention that Pat met Bob on Thurs night, played seperate venues on Fri, and on Sat was up on stage accompanying Bob Cheevers with some most delicate electric guitar backing.   What a professional!   Well done Pat.

Jeff then fronted and his distinctive voice once again impressed.   Many thanks to 5 excellent musicians, roll on Autumn. 

Best wishes to all other whisperers.    I was looking out for you Paul.

Bill Lewis

Jeff Finlin and Idle Jets - nothing to add to the other comments about the music except - awesome!!!!

My other highlights of the night?

i) Meeting the other whisperers of course - hi guys.

ii) Tony's face when Phil asked the lads for 'just one more' well after 'curfew'.

iii) Getting my CDs signed by the great men and both thanking me for coming, (kind of like an ice cold glass of water thanking the thirsty man).

But best of all - Meeting John Graveling, (He's chief scout for Sheffield United for gawds sake!!!!), and I must say he's far better looking than Jimmy Greaves.

Big, Big thanks to TonyS and his friends for getting them to the Turks Head.

Peter H

Just a big, big thank you to all the whisperers who turned up at the Jeff Finlin/Pat Buchanan's Idle Jets gigs.   Your support is greatly appreciated. 

Jeff and Pat have been overwhelmed by the reaction, both here on the web and personally at the gigs.   They plan coming back in late October, when hopefully both will have new cds out on release. 

It was great to meet whisperers both old and new.   Keep on rockin' and supporting the music.

John Graveling