Since leaving the Big Town Playboys, Mike Sanchez seems to be creating a name for himself nationwide, and not at least in the deepest South Warwickshire countryside - he plays solo gigs regularly at The George Hotel, Lower Brailes, which is just up the road from Shipston-on-Stour. His performance brought to life an uninspired piece of 60s architecture and it was difficult to believe that the WI had been holding their Saturday Market there only hours before, as a full house of over 250 were captivated by the Sanchez magic. This performance followed one by the same line-up in June in the Market Square, when the local electrical shop became a dressing room. The proprietor was amazed at the end of the gig not only to get his shop back but sell a substantial amount of electrical goods to the band.

Sanchez played a mixture of old standards and his own newer material, some of which will be appearing on his new CD, which reflects the authentic sound of fifties rhythm'n'blues. Highlights included Junior Parker's 'Love My Baby', Tarheel Slim's 'Wildcat Tamer' and a great version of Bobby Vee's 'Someday'. His renderings of Benton/ Otis' 'Kiddio' and Chuck Berry's 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man' got the crowd on their feet. He plays more guitar than he did with the Playboys and it shows that he has been working on his technique.

He finished the evening playing guitar lying on his back in the middle of the audience surrounded by hot dancers. He is a past master at working an audience with his contorted facial expressions (particularly in 'I'm Mad') and with his famous eye-to-eye contact.

The band consisted of the legendary Andy Silvester on guitar (Big Town Playboys, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Steve Gibbons), Anders Janes on double bass (Ray Gelato's Giants) and Mark Morgan on drums (currently still working with the Playboys). Mike Sanchez is a superb all round performer and with a regular band behind him can only get better.