THE Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne has a fine reputation for presenting not only the top comedians but also some tremendous musical events and tonight’s Tribute To Chess Records was no exception.

With a band fronted by blues veterans, John O’Leary, Papa George and Alan Glen, they tore through some of the songs that really formed the backbone of the British Blues scenes in the 60s.

Without Chess Records, we might never have had The Rolling Stones as we know them or The Yardbirds (and that means no Led Zeppelin) Cream, Blues Band, Chicken Shack, Fleetwood Mac and the list goes on.

Songs such as Howling Wolf’s Smokestack Lightnin’ featuring an amazing performance by Papa George, Little By Little, That’s Alright, Hoochie Coochie Man, Have You Ever Loved A Woman, The Sky Is Crying and of course Got My Mojo Working were all performed with absolute skill by the band.

They were supported by Dorset’s own Benny Brown and his Smokin’ Band a tremendous powerhouse trio who seem to be spreading their wings further afield. Benny joined the headliners during their set and fronted a couple of songs himself Checkin’ Up On My Baby and Hi Heel Sneakers and then stayed on for the rest of the set.

Special Guest Paul Cox whose powerhouse vocals at the latter part of the set really put the cherry on the cake.

Jeremy Rothman