Starting the night was singer/guitarist Craig Sinclair, accompanied by his lovely singer/violinist girlfriend Lara. They played a lovely blending of guitar and violin in a style reminiscent of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.

Sinclair had two guitars, one of which he laid on his lap and plucked the strings, and Lara occasionally put down her violin in favour of a little egg shaker to keep the beat.

Sinclair was the WAMI award winner for Best Blues (song?) last year, and it was easy to hear why. The songs were very catchy and lulling, and Lara’s presence added a certain depth to the music, especially with her long strokes on the violin.

After a song with quick finger picking and a soft melody, with Sinclair providing some interesting falsetto towards the end, Emcee Rick Steele insisted on an encore, and the performers finished on a soft, lilting melody about Sinclair’s move to Fremantle.

Damon Carron’s CD launch was next, and he took to the stage with a drummer and a bass player who turned out to be Mike Vdelli of the band Vdelli.

They started with a heavy, steady number, with Carron playing finger slide on a one of those electric guitars that look like something out of the glam rock era. However 5there was nothing really glam rock-like about the sound, which focused on heavy bass and drums overlaid with fluid guitar notes.

There were a few slower songs thrown into the mix, with some light chimes in the background, and there was a feeling of anticipation- of something heavier still to come – and usually it did.

Carron paid equal attention to both his guitar and microphone, with some very satisfying solos in major keys. The crowd was extremely appreciative, with people getting into the mood on the dance floor, and a huge cheer at the end of Carron’s set.

Rounding off the night was Methel Ethel and her Fabulous Keytones, and their brand of self-described funk blues.

They started off with some great organ and electric guitar, then got into a fast, funky beat with keyboard stabs, a swing beat from the drums and a string guitar riff.

Ethel’s organ solos on the blues scale sounded great with the group’s funky sound, and she really looked like she was having a good time.

The vocals were a treat, with Ethel and her guitarist doing a bit of back-and-forward singing before going into some harmonies. Ethel’s vocals were very strong and assured.

A few powerful drum solos were thrown into the funky mix, and they worked well with the beat. Each band member had frequent solos, mostly fooling around on the blues scale, then topping off the songs with a strong crescendo finish.

The band looked like they were having a great time, which showed through in their upbeat, strong sound and funky songs.