If it had proved to be the last festival, then it would probably have been fitting that Mike Sanchez close it, having opened the very first one with the Big Town Playboys, as well as gracing many in the meantime, both with them and as a solo performer.

Mike also has a cracking new album ('Blue Boy') out on his own label. After two largely solo outings, this latest CD features the band we had on show at Burnley, including the estimable Al Nichols on tenor and the most welcome return of fellow ex-Playboy Andy Silvester - in my book, the finest British guitarist of the last 30 years and certainly the most self effacing and undeservedly unsung.
After destroying the place last year with a bravura solo set, for this festival Sanchez augmented this new band with a fine set of guests for an old fashioned rock 'n' roll and rhythm 'n' blues revue, which was a sclose to the Apollo and Brooklyn Paramount as any of us is likely to get!
Realistically an aggregation for festivals only, it featured the usual varied, incendiary set from Mike himself (in top form despite a cold), interspersed with spots from the wonderful Extraordinaires - a trio in the Treniers mould, with impeccable harmonies (including a terffic 'Almost Grown' with Sanchez) and acrobatic dancing;
and guest soloists Imelda Clabby (also gorgeous, by the way!) and Paul Ansell who punched out, respectively, some Lavern Baker and Clyde McPhatter numbers, Imelda also duetting ideally with Sanchez on Shirley and Lee's 'Let The Good Times Roll'.
The result was the best spot of the weekend and brought it all to a storming climax - and it was so good to hear Andy whomping that Ike Turner whammy-bar again - Ike never did it better himself!
The welcome closing announcement of next years festival merely added to the feelgood factor. YOU'LL feel good if you see this bunch!