The Odyssey Blues Band:

Message dated Febr. 15 2000 from Simon Beck, the man behind the keys of The Odyssey Blues Band:
The 7-piece Odyssey Blues Band is now gigging with top British Blues vocalist/percussionist Rob Brown, with forthcoming gigs at Cafe Gigi, the 12-Bar Club, The Bull's Head and many other well-known venues. The band also welcomes on board drummer John Phillips.

Ex-frontman Mississippi John L Watson is said to have a number of "personal projects" on the boil, including a film about his recent visit home to Mississippi. The Band wish him much luck.

Last year saw the band making appearances at prestigious events at the Isle of Wight, Exeter and supporting John Mayall's end-of-tour gig at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, as well as the Brian Jones Fan Club convention in London.

The Odyssey Blues Band's recent CD with John L, "Ass Kickin' Time" is still available (but in rapidly diminishing quantities!), and two live tracks including a sublime "Got My Mojo Working" are included on a "Live at B B's Blues Club" compilation CD recorded at Bob Brunning's famous South London venue.

Simon Beck

Mississippi John L Watson & The Odyssey Blues Band:.

Mississippi John L Watson is originally from Clarksdale but has lived in England for over 35 years. He's recorded all kinds of music and had a group called the Hummelflugs who recorded for Piccadilly in 1965. Blueprint will shortly be running an interview with him.
Quote from Big Joe Louis, Nov. '98.

"ASS KICKIN' TIME" is the all-new live-in the-studio CD from Mississippi blues legend John L and his seven-piece Odyssey Blues Band. The CD's 11 tracks include originals and standards, with influences from the Delta to Chicago and beyond. To find out how to get a copy, e-mail Simon Beck at simonfbeck@hotmail.com".
Writes Simon Beck, Piano with the Odyssey Blues Band, Febr. '99
NEWSFLASH! The editors of Blueprint magazine have officially voted John L and the band THIRD BEST BLUES BAND IN LONDON!

And Simon Beck writes again on March 11 '99:
The band now has an Internet page at
http://members.xoom.com/simonfbeck/BluesBand.htm
 
"Ass Kickin' Time" is now available by mail order from:
 
Steve Swales 
Indie-pendant Blues
60 Westbourne Street
Hull HU3 5BS 
ENGLAND 
 
The catalogue number is IB1005 and the price is £12.50
 
Check Indie-pendant Blues' website at www.filbert.force9.co.uk/blues/index.htm