(Reproduced by kind permission of

Blues In Britain magazine )

Steve Darrington, ex-pianist with The Boogie Band, was making his first solo appearance in Wycombe's haven for artists, poets and musicians, who had turned out in force to see what he had to offer. Considering his impeccable CV - appearances with amongst others Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, Billy Boy Arnold, The Mighty Flea, Mark Knopfler before he was famous, Lonnie Donegan, Don Everly and Albert Lee, and with over 50 albums to his credit - our curiosity was rightly whetted.

Steve's repertoire reflected his extensive musical background as he switched effortlessly between barrelhouse, blues and boogie woogie classics from Albert Ammons, Memphis Slim, and Otis Spann to the jazz-blues of Dave Brubeck's "It's A Raggy Waltz" and Mose Allison-influenced standards such as "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". His rich voice was particularly suited to favourites such as "Kansas City" and "Sweet Home Chicago" and his ability to set up different rhythms with his left hand while playing flowing melodic lines with his right and singing across the beat at the same time, was both fascinating and exciting.

As he sat at the piano, eyes closed and body swaying, a customer whispered to me "He's so natural, he could be at home playing for himself" and his performance is indeed a lesson in relaxation. The evening closed with a surprising but beautiful instrumental version of "That Old Devil Called Love" because "The landlord and landlady just got married and anyway tomorrow's St Valentine's Day", reminding me of the top blues entertainers who are not afraid to step outside the genre. The delighted crowd refused to leave and he came back with a borrowed harmonica and surprised everybody yet again by giving a virtuoso display combining licks acknowledging Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.