When Martin came out and announced that tonight we had a young lady performing support for us who had travelled all the way up from Dartmoor this very afternoon and was travelling back down to Devon after she had done her set of six numbers, I thought: there is dedication to her art. She means business. Martin said she had been touring around the country with Pentangle and had been making waves; well tonight for me, she showed all the potential qualities of a tsunami. 

Out of the wings came this little blonde slip of a girl with a really BIG voice. Her material sits at the indie end of the Indie - Mainstream spectrum and is slightly reminiscent of Martha Tilston/Thea Gilmore both of whom I respect enormously. When I listened to Ella, her voice sounded more mature than her 21 years would have you believe. She exhibited an impressive guitar technique and originality in her songwriting which at times made me feel that some of the unique vocalisations she treated us to maybe had their origins way down deep in roots music and not in the imitation "Maria Carey" style wailings which pervade the commercial charts, making Ella's music all the more interesting. 

Those who attended, and that must have been most of the regulars plus some others who had travelled far and wide - albeit to see the Dylan Project - were pleasantly surprised to get a original treat like this. This young lady will go far and will make it on her own abilities and not have to rely on her mother and father, Jennifer Saunders and Adrian Edmondson. An 'absolutely fabulous' (sorry) presentation for those present at Chequer Mead, one of the best support acts we have ever had and we have had some real 'hotties'. 

After this unexpected but delightful start to the evening, on came The Dylan Project - a tribute band, I suppose, delivering the music of Bob Dylan. Fronted by Steve Gibbons and joined by a flexible bunch of musicians - on this occasion Gerry Conway on drums (from Fairport Convention, Alexis Korner, Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull, and Pentangle, among others); P J Wright on pedal steel, slide guitar and conventional electric guitar (ex-Del Shannon band and more); Phil Bond on keyboards and accordion; and Dave Pegg on bass (Fairport Convention, Ian Campbell Folk Group and Jethro Tull). Now tribute bands are not normally my scene but on this occasion this bunch of extremely talented musicians turned out an extraordinary exhibition, Gerry subtle but solid on drums; Peggy's really solid bass; PJ's beautiful pedal steel guitar, stinging electric guitar and slide guitar and vocals; and Phil's excellent keyboards, vocals and accordion, giving the music an interesting edge that at times reminded me of Bob Dylan's own band for many years, The Band.  Last but not least, Steve, whose fidelity in reproducing Dylan's voice was uncannily close. 

Acoustic Sussex has has surely dispelled any delusions that they are only a 'folk club'. It was an evening of full-on Country Rock and the band had the audience rocking in their seats. It was so heartening to see so many people, both new and old in the audience, which is surely a fitting tribute to arguably the most influential popular songwriter/musician since the second world war. Perhaps, like that other Mr S. Gibbons, Steve sure likes to put a stamp on his domain. It was a really great evening's entertainment

Maximum Bob