Neil Hardy’s sell-out, tribute band night at Halstead’s Empire Theatre last Sunday, featured class act Freeway as top of the bill. However, for me and, on observation, many in the audience, the success of the night was the group on first.

Just Blues had a line-up that was always interesting. The lead vocalist and guitarist commanded his listeners from the outset, using his impressive stature well, without resorting to gimmicks of any kind. Both bass and blues guitarists took their solo spots as well as they formed part of a very musical ensemble.

The very competent drummer, i.e.. he set the variety of tempos superbly, controlled his team with delightful humour. As for Razor(?) he was something else; a harmonic player with attitude!

Importantly, Just Blues, fulfilled its title; its sound was mellow and well balanced, each member could take the vocal line, and it seemed as if they had much more material to offer. Certainly this group could easily do a gig on its own.