| I live in Ipswich and one of my favourite things to do is | | | | ever loyal followers. |
| go to watch local live bands perform. I recently went | | | | That was until Jack Jacobs decided to buy himself an |
| to watch the first gig of the newly reformed band The | | | | olive farm and retire to sunny Spain. It was with great |
| Martells. Here, I give my honest thoughts and opinions | | | | sadness that the band went their separate ways. |
| of their performance. | | | | The Martells - The Present Day |
| History of The Martells | | | | All the band members remained friends, some even |
| The Martells is a local band formed back in the sixties. | | | | stayed in touch and of course they were often |
| They were very popular back then and had 3 | | | | crossing each other's paths at various different music |
| numbers in the then 'hit parade'. There aren't many | | | | events. Three of the guys that did keep in touch were |
| people in the East Anglia area that have not heard of | | | | Sandy, Rod and Gary. |
| them. In fact many people (over 40's ) that I have | | | | It was while the three of them were helping a friend |
| spoken to about the band will respond to me by | | | | out with a few gig commitments early 2008 that they |
| saying ' I went to see them at so and so pub back in | | | | decided to stay together and do something as a 3 |
| so and so year'. Alot for the new line up to live up to, it | | | | piece group. Halleujah, this was the day that The |
| seems! | | | | Martells were reborn. |
| The original line up has changed over the years but it | | | | They spent the rest of 2008, rebuilding the dream that |
| appears that they given the same high level of | | | | they had all those years ago. Rehearsal after |
| entertainment and dedication to their performance as | | | | rehearsal, equipment checks and advertising all came |
| they always have done. I can track my research back | | | | together when the band played their first come back |
| to the late seventies / early eighties, at this time the line | | | | gig last Friday. |
| up consisted of Sandy Sutherland (a very well known | | | | I was, of course there to see this group re enter the |
| and respected member of the music business round | | | | music world and what a night it was! |
| these parts) on drums and vocals, Merv Perry on | | | | Even the bar staff commented that this was 'the |
| guitar and vocals, Jimmy Dodd on bass guitar and | | | | busiest night they had had in five years'. The turnout |
| vocals, Rex Seeley,( who is also still in the business ) | | | | for the boys was terrific, the club was packed, and as |
| also on guitar and singing, last, but most definately not | | | | anyone would have predicted, The Martells delivered! |
| least it was Dave Purnell on keyboards, as with most | | | | Some fantastic covers of some of the best songs |
| of the others, Dave can still be heard, rocking them in | | | | ever, made for a night on the dance floor, glass of |
| the aisles in and around Ipswich. | | | | wine in hand having a brilliant night out! |
| As with all walks of life, circumstances change and | | | | The vocal and instrumental talent was excellent all |
| people move on, needless to say, over the years, | | | | round. The feedback they received from countless |
| band members came and band members left. | | | | members of the crowd after the gig, i hope, made the |
| however, due to the group's popularity and fan base, | | | | 3 of them glad they made the decision to reform and |
| there was always a string of local top musicians more | | | | proud of what they had achieved. |
| than ready to take their place under the 'Martells ' | | | | My only criticism, and there had to be at least one, |
| spotlight. Names such as Rod Frost, who is an | | | | they are only human after all, is that the nerves they |
| excellent vocalist, keyboard and guitar player, Jack | | | | were obviously feeling knowing what was expected |
| Jacobs, another superb guitarist with an amazing | | | | of them, showed in their faces. First time nerves, all |
| singing talent, Gary Nunn, who's abilities on the guitar, | | | | stars get them. Well here it is, in print, you were brilliant |
| lead or bass, really need to be seen to be believed, to | | | | The Martells. Now you can relax and have fun. Roll on |
| name but a few. | | | | next weeks gig! |
| Sadly, by the time the middle to late nineties were | | | | If you want to take a look at their website, their link is |
| upon us, the band was down to just three musicians, | | | | below. There's nothing to buy, this is not an advert to |
| Sandy Sutherland, Rod Frost and Jack Jacobs. | | | | scam you out of your money, just have a wander |
| Despite this the guys were still delivering superb music | | | | round the site and maybe leave a message. |
| and providing a great evening's entertainment to their | | | | |