It was last night of Blues for the year, and the Perth Blues Club was decked out with balloons and tinsel, and the sizable audience was definitely filled with Christmas cheer as they listened to one top act after another.

Premla and Pete, new to the Perth Blues Club, kicked off the night with a short set of jazz/blues covers and originals. Premla's rich jazzy voice perfectly balanced the electro-accoustic sounds of Pete's dextrous guitar work. It was an apt way to start what was to be a memorable night.

In an air of anticipation and after a short break, Richard Ellis, Darren Adair (guitar), Ace Follington (drums), Peter 'Slats' Slatter (bass) and Billy Blissett (keyboards) - a five piece band with a fast, upbeat brand of blues - took to the stage. Dynamic, strong guitar solos filled the gaps between Ellis's enthusiastic vocals. Although his voice was occasionally drowned out by the instruments around him, Ellis certainly commanded the attention of the audience and the dance floor was full of grooving revellers.

Geoff Harrison wandered onto the stage for a song, starting off with a harmonica solo that branched into some bluegrass-style vocals. Harrison had a low, gravelly singing voice that was enjoyed for a whole set at the Perth Blues Club just a few weeks ago.

A fluid organ solo from Billy Blissett followed, then it was time for the next band.

Keyboard players Bob Patient and Billy Blissett, bassist Roy Daniels and drummer Ace Follington (Dave Hole's rhythm section) came onto the stage and were joined by the first guest guitarist Dave Brewer. After Brewer and Patient had taken turns on vocals, the house "Santa" band played host to a string of headliners, including Pete Romano, saxophonist/singer Billy Rogers and tuba/trombone player Wayne Freer.

Rogers and Freer certainly knew their brass - Rogers' alternating sax and vocals, with Freer swapping between tuba and  trombone. All this time, the dancefloor was full of twirling people fuelled by music, beer and Christmas cheer.

Bob and the band began their next song when a tiny blonde jumped on stage, grabbed a microphone and started singing along. The tiny blonde turned out to be 'Cyclone' Tracy Morrison, who sang a few songs with her strong, low, raspy voice.

A few mellow songs were followed by request for a Janis Joplin song, then a Ray Charles cover (featuring a flash of fancy footwork by Patient and Morrison) rounded off Morrison's turn on stage.

Bob Patient continued the set with his easy beat blues, with the lead guitarist joining in on vocals from time to time. A few fast songs were thrown in, encouraging a couple of dancers with feet quicker than most to see how fast they could move.

Kat Kinley was next on stage, and accompanied by Billy Blissett on organ, and the rest of the band. She played keyboard and showed her broad vocal range. With a few guitar (Jason Smith) and keyboard solos thrown in, the crowd loved it.

And then the moment many of the audience had been waiting arrived when Rick Steele hit the stage to perform a few numbers on his harmonica and guitar.

Then it was time to bring everyone back on stage to round off a night of blues with one of Rick's favourite Bob Dylan songs, Forever Young. 

It was a rousing chorus that had the audience singing along and riding high on the emotion. The standing ovation was well deserved after more than 20 musicians had provided an excellent end to 2007.

Post script:

The next day, we received the following email:

"Just had the best night ever at the Blues Club, the Christmas party nite. What a great venue and vibe, had to become a member straight away. Had heard that it was a good place, but never realized how bloody good !!"

What more can you say?