ACCLAIMED blues-rock guitarist, Saiichi Sugiyama and his band are touring the UK in September, and Evesham will be a stop, which is sure to be good news for all local lovers of bending strings and twelve bar inspiration.

His Les Paul electric guitar will be heard loud and clear at The Iron Road venue on September 27, from 8pm.

The tour comes ahead of the 2017 release of his new album, and the show will feature the band’s newly released single, ‘Melting Away’ recorded with live strings, which has been described by Classic Rock Magazine as “reminiscent of Free at their most powerful".

This should not be a surprise, given who was playing bass for the track.

A tour spokesman said: "Saiichi was delighted to persuade his long time hero, legendary Free bassist Andy Fraser who wrote the classics “All Right Now” and “My Brother Jake”, to perform on the track not knowing that it was to be one of Andy’s last recordings. Sadly, Andy Fraser passed away in March 2015."

The spokesman added: "Saiichi is an authoritative live performer praised by Moray Stuart of Blues In Britain for providing “a cracking bit of air-conditioned Les Paul action”.

"Sugiyama has been creating music that harks back to the halcyon days of rock and soul, 1965-1974, when blues bands were in the pop chart and all you needed was love. Potent and melodic, Saiichi’s original material, with many songs, written with Cream lyricist Pete Brown, is a standout in today’s UK blues scene."

Sugiyama’s 5-piece touring band will feature singer Rietta Austin, Ben Reed on bass, Stuart Dixon on rhythm guitar and Wez Johnson on drums.

Further information on, 01386 422582.