Coincidentally, I have been thinking recently, where are all the up and coming guitar heroes? Starting in the late 60’s, early 70’s your favourite band would always have a guitar hero wouldn’t it, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Paul Kossof, Peter Green, to name but a few, then came along the 80’s with Stevie Ray Vaughn and mega shredders like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Slash, etc. But today there is a distinct lack of new guitar heroes isn’t there? Well there is a new kid on the block, he’s young and given the right set of circumstances could be up there with the aforementioned.. His name? Paulie Boy Blues.

I saw him last night at The Eagle Inn in Manchester, and I’m hoping that in six/twelve months time this gig will become legendary, like The Sex Pistols at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, when everybody and their grandmother claim to have been there.

I mentioned Hendrix for a reason – this boy is channelling Hendrix. He is the real deal. And he is turning young people on to Hendrix, after his (Hendrix) estate have done a great job of hiding Hendrix away in their efforts to have total control of his material.

Hailing from Maryland USA, Paulie was greatly influenced by two special teachers in his life, Mr Booth taught music history and Mr Fisher taught English and both taught a young Paulie Boy the blues, and in particular Hendrix and his live recordings. Paulie Boy has gone on to say Mr Booth changed his whole perspective and outlook on life. Lucky for us. Gentlemen we thank you.

Struggling in school he found the blues beacon of truth for his life and just ran with it. Obsessing from the age of 19, and teaching himself often right through the night into the sunrise, guitar licks which he proudly takes to the stage today. He plays like his life is on the line, because it is, he can see no other way of making sense of the crazy world we live in.

Playing with Harry Stalker on bass, and Adam Crookes on drums, both from the UK, he started the set with Can’t Nothing Hurt Me Now/Killing Floor, followed by his own Chasing The Dragon.

Who Knows from Band Of Gypsys, and Red House cemented his Hendrix connection, but let’s be clear, any of these songs could have been Hendrix songs or any of them could have been Paulie Boy songs, he plays them with the flair, spontaneity and dexterity which Hendrix did, including playing behind his back, with his teeth and between his legs, and he never drops a note. The two support bands were in the crowd and they were mesmerised by his musicianship and showmanship.

Memphis Minnie’s When The Levee Breaks, was followed by Robert Johnsons When You Got A Good Friend, and then his current self-penned single Early One Morning. Which is available on all good streaming platforms.

He finished the night with Come On (Let The Good Times Roll), which was the first song he learnt to play, and still plays it every night, to remind himself of those times.

Paulie Boy really does know his blues, and feels like it’s his mission to take the blues to a new generation who may be missing out on this wonderful genre of music. He may be doing this with some over the top stage antics, but so what, this is 2026, and we need an entertainer like this in our lives. We need some light in an ever darkening narrative.

If you liked Hendrix, if you liked Stevie Ray Vaughn you are going to love Paulie Boy Blues.

Review by Andy Sharrocks

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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Josh Taerk - Sunday Session - 11 January 2026

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Power Plays w/c 12 January 2026

THE DEADMANS Nice Kid (indie)
THE 69 EYES I Survive (BLKIIBLK)
MAGIC WANDS Sacred Mirrors (Metropolis Records)
KATHARINE PRIDDY Hurricane (indie)
AVALON STONE Mirage (indie)
CODE:WORDS Limerence (The Artery Foundation)
ROBBEN FORD Make My Own Weather (Mascot)

Featured Albums w/c 12 January 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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