‘Powerful, wild and a masterpiece of blues’ submithub user

'...That slide guitar is nasty and brilliant... There's something menacing, yet humorous here...' Alt77
'...The intense vocals are just amazing...' PlaylistSubs
'...An instantly engaging track with upbeat driving beat, growling slide guitar, really cool...' Zoe Konez

'Luke Philbrick and The Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion', and let's start that this was actually one of the better concerts we could already experience in 2022. Fortunately, a large delegation of the 'Gevarenwinkel' family was present so that we could witness together what happened on this summer Sunday in 'Pallieter Café' van den Hans. In short, to be summarized in three letters, TOP. Skiffle was hugely popular in the UK in the 50's, so much so that the 'Big Four' aka 'The Beatles' started as a skiffle group under 'The Quarrymen'. We got to know skiffle in the 60's and 70's through Ferre Grignard. Skiffle is a type of music that originated in New Orleans in the 1920s and 1930s and was derived from Dixie, Folk, Blues and Jazz. The traditional skiffle bands mainly use household items to play on such as the washboard. In addition, an acoustic guitar along with a banjo are common accompaniment instruments. So on this 'hot' Sunday we are ready for this infusion of various styles. Luke Philbrikck immediately distinguished himself upon arrival that he was starting to rattle pots and pans in the kitchen and this was not to look for instruments together, more simply to cook, and so Hans also ordered hot food on a Sunday. A Sunday that would be dominated by Blues, Folk, Dixie but especially a lot of Gospel, and this just when the village shepherd of Herselt was not present. Luke himself accompanies himself on dobro, banjo, guitar, but later it turns out that almost no stringed instrument has any secrets for him. The 'Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion' are Anthony Grant on clarinet, saxophone and flute, Glen Miles on upright bass and Jake Philbrick on Washboard and a set of drums that stood here as part of the furniture. They come from around Bristol and Gloucester (Cathedral) ;-) Fortunately, the number of visitors grew steadily, perhaps also under light coercion from Nico Gevarenwinkel and last but not least, it remained quiet in the cafe, to the extent that the terrace visitors at the first tones of this 'Luke Philbrick and The Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion ' came to visit the sweltering heat, and this says it all. Unfortunately, there were still some who hadn't gone to the 'Pallieter café' under the motorcycle, which the farmer doesn't know, don't fret, but opposite there is the quote that is still very clear and that is: the absentees were more than wrong, all the music lovers anyway. Our musical trip on this Sunday evening started with "The Stolen Generation" and under the metallic sounds of Luke's dobro, the dreamy sounds of Anthony's flute and the blissful harmony backing vocals of Glen and Jake we felt it down to our smallest toe, this was mustache Also with the skiffle song "Warshaw Goldrush" you could immediately tell that this breed were musicians, although they seemed more like street musicians. Summarized in seven letters, SUBLIME. With songs like "PIG" and "Angie" it seemed like the 'Appalachians' had moved from North America to South-West England, partly due to global warming. As if it couldn't get any better, in this 'Skiffle Invasion' another change happened and Luke and Glen switched instruments. As a fan of Tom Waits I almost had a musical orgasm at that time, and I didn't know that this was still possible :-). Glen then brought his original 'Happy Birthday' with that typical heavy timbre. Whether it was someone's birthday is not known because we were all carried away by their music. As cool as Elvis and Ice Tea, to put it in a blues quote. Afterwards also 'Make It Rain' by that masterful songwriter himself. Could it be even more intense? Yes, because that's how jazz started to take over and Glen just brought out Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good' out of the blue. No wonder this was a peek-a-boo moment with myself. Come on guys, act normal because it brings tears to my eyes by enjoying it so much. Whether saxophone or flute Anthony showed that in his blood is woven the unadulterated DNA of a pure jazz musician. Especially when he lets himself be heard on the warm sounds of his clarinet, as if Acker Bilk (1929-2014) had traveled with him on tour. Just a bit on the flute to actually let the shameful red appear on the cheeks of Ian Anderson. Four letters: PENALTY. Another change-over on this 'Skiffle Invasion' and rhythm juggler aka Jake Philbrick picks up an acoustic guitar and performs songs like 'High' and 'Woke Up'. In any case, we were more than awake. In the meantime he also thought that he had had enough and went, including bare-chested for the ladies, also completely in Skiffle mode by leaving the drum kit for what it was and taking the washboard. Luke also went back to the real roots of the skiffle and had seen while cooking that Hans still had two spoons’ – Freddy Vandervelpen (Rootsville) translated from Flemmish

'Solid Gone are one of the best original blues influenced outfits I've heard in years. They add elements of gospel, skiffle, jazz and even funk to the mix in creating their very own box fresh sound. Fronted by the immensely talented Luke Philbrick (once heard is never forgotten) - Luke has a great authentic blues voice which is enhanced by his home-made guitars and resonator using age-old techniques. The sound that the combined unit produces should be set in the 30's dust-bowl mid-America instead of Longlevens Gloucestershire. Unlike some modern day blues their tempo is up-beat, and they engage with almost any audience that recognises the integrity of what they are trying to achieve - from intimate club-type environments to full blown festivals and everything in between' - John Drummond (Brewery Blues).

‘The tops for me was a band called ‘Solid Gone’ from Gloucester …..superb …! heavy duty boogie in some sort of order ...sort of Bluesy .....but not.....sort of Gospel but not......I'd describe them as Bad Ass Hombre Boogie I reckons!.. a just simply superb band …really awesome players and a drummer like a steam hammer…..please go see them !’ - Robert Mark Smith (Bob Smith & Demob)

‘You guys have such a phenomenal energy and are really inspiring. Hope to see you again.’ … ‘I’ve toured all over America and I have to say I’ve never heard a better male singer than you’ … ‘It was an almost spiritual experience’ … ‘I was absolutely obsessed by the Kitchen Sessions’ - Various comments (Facebook and related social media)

‘Luke Philbrick is an exciting young UK performer who has hooked into the 1930’s Mississippi gritty Country/Folk Blues era to give us thirteen tracks, mixing originals amongst re-arranged traditional material which has resulted in a raw sounding but very accomplished debut album. If the title is to be believed the album was recorded at home in Luke’s kitchen on a shoestring budget, given this the results are remarkable, especially the way Luke’s stark vocals have been captured, there is almost an eeriness to them and the opening song John the Revelator is a perfect example with its call and response style, this track also highlights Luke’s acoustic work on the resonator guitar, I have always admired Andy Roberts version of this song but Luke’s version is definitely up there with it especially as it has a less structured feel to it. Support on the album is provided by family and friends, particularly worth a mention is harp player Mike Lee who does a fine job on several tracks particularly on In My Time of Dying where the mournful content of the song is really enhanced with wailing harp, of the original material the song The Stolen Generation is a standout, it is so emotional with Luke finding a tremble in his vocal delivery that sounds chilling against the backdrop of gentle guitar plucking. All the material sits well together and represents the darker side of acoustic Blues, I cannot see Luke singing any joyous music his vocal style is suited to the raw emotional sounds of the early Blues, with such strong vocals taking centre stage you forget that behind them there is some superb guitar being played on a variety of instruments that includes some very tasty slide guitar. This album appears to have been recorded several years ago but is clearly doing the rounds again; you should not miss this opportunity to grab a copy, as it represents the most authentic acoustic Blues I have heard for a very long time’ - Adrian Blacklee, Blues Matters Magazine March/April 2019

'This is pretty raw stuff - epitomised by opening track 'John The Revelator' with its brash call-and-response vocals and resonator guitar accompaniment' ... ''In My Time Of Dying', however, sees the addition of Mike Lee's harp to deliver an almost funky take on the traditional gospel number' ... 'The first original track 'The Stolen Generation', a sad tale of giving up a baby for adoption, is much softer with delicate, vibrato-laden vocals and solo guitar accompaniment, while second new song, 'Stand Tall', dealing with slave labour in the cotton fields, introduces Philbrick's solid slide-work' - Morgan Hogarth R2 (Rock 'n' Reel) magazine, Nov/Dec 2016