Earlier this year, some of us made sure we got to the tribute show for Mick Abrahams at The Borderline, with various Rhythm Kings, Nine Below’s, Mungo Jerry’s and Elliott Randall, Clive Bunker and more. Mick himself, post-stroke was able to perform a few numbers, to the delight of the audience.

If any more proof were needed of the industry respect for this original Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig guitarist, this fine double-disc release provides it. Taking the form of a CD of instrumentals plus a Live DVD of electric and acoustic shows, Long Long Gone is quite a treat for Brit Blues followers.

On the Instrumentals album, all the cuts seem to have two titles – e.g. Chuck Brick aka ‘Berry Drive’, which sounds like an old Chess B-side by the man himself, throbbing bassline and fluid guitar. ‘Forty Three’ has soaring slide and should be opening a bounty hunter adventure film. ‘Lassoo’ has mean stalking axe and claves in the mix whilst ‘Nee Par’ nods to Bert Jansch and Davey Graham, intricate tumbling notes with an elegant delivery.

The Acoustic footage on the DVD takes in stage favourites like ‘Billy The Kid’, the chilling ‘Black Night’, ‘Going Down Slow’ and the jaunty ‘Jesus On The Mainline’. The electric set includes the meaty ‘The Victim’, Muddy’s ‘I Wonder Who’ and a roaring and freewheeling ‘Cats Squirrel’.

The crowd at Bishops Stortford Blues Club that night were certainly at the right gig. As an overview of this master muso and an enjoyable set of songs well-delivered this is pretty much an essential purchase and not just for long-time fans of Abrahams.

Pete Sargeant