DE 
February 28th, 2000
Rainer Achterholt
Doug Jay & The Dynacasters
Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters
Sold out!
Even the optimistic "Bluesverstärker" did not think a success like this possible. The "Haus der Jugend" was so packed with (many) elderly and somewhat fewer (young) rock and blues fans, it was hardly possible to reach the stage.
Rainer Achterholt, a guitarist from Münster, had put together a band exclusively for this evening, and they opened the concert. Featuring Thomas Feldmann on harps and saxophone the band got the audience going with a straight Chicago Blues and R&B.
Ein ungewöhnlich breites Programm präsentierte als zweiter Act des Abends Doug Jay & The Dynacasters. Christian Rannenberg demonstrated a straight piano blues supported by his own voice which has gained in power in recent years. Freddy Fischkal indulged himself in efficient Westcoast R&B and sensitive riffs. Doug Jay's harp was as persuasive as his stage performance. Blues classics alternated with rock-influenced melodies and fine ballads. Doug Jay also made skilful excursions into pop mainstream and demonstrated some hitherto undiscovered qualities of the blues harp. An extraordinary performance. In early summer Doug Jay's first CD with the Dynacasters will be out on the Out of Space label.
The three-band night was rounded off by Memo Gonzalez, a heavyweight Retro-Rock 'n' Roller from Texas with his local group, The Bluescasters. There was no time to take a rest. Though it was already past midnight, Memo had the house rocking with his energetic Jump Blues, Texas Shuffle and straight Rock 'n' Roll. Kai Strauß made his guitar red-hot in T-Bone Walker style with Erkan Özdemir and Klaus Schnirring providing an excellent drive. This is far and away the best Retro Texas Blues band in this country.
In the final jam session the musicians demonstrated once more their devotion to the blues and their musical skills to a grateful crowd. A long night finally came to an end, clearly showing where good blues from Osnabrück and elsewhere can be enjoyed.
(Thomas Gutberlet "Blues News" 22 Juli/August 2000)
(Translation: Dennis Newson)
(Photos: Eric Schäfer)