Dave & Phil Alvin at the Cluny, Newcastle

It's been some time since my last visit to the Cluny but I returned on Wednesday evening for a special treat. I last saw Dave Alvin with his band The Guilty Ones just over two years ago but since then he has been reunited with older brother Phil following what Dave describes as his brother dying in Spain and being brought back to life by his nurse, Maria. They both realised that life's too short, patched up their differences and here they were performing in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd, including ourselves.

I didn't take note of all the songs they performed but their reunion has driven them back to their roots. Consequently they focused on their current album of Big Bill Broonzy songs, 'Common Ground'. Among them were 'Key to the Highway', 'I Feel So Good' and 'Stuff They Call Money'. They were also happy to delve back into their own shared recording career as from their days with The Blasters, they gave us 'Marie Marie' and 'One Bad Stud'.

For the most part Phil took centre stage strumming his acoustic guitar or blowing a mean harmonica, while Dave in his trademark stetson hat played those great guitar licks which appear quite effortless to him. They were of course superbly supported by Dave's band, Chris Miller on guitar, Lou Whitney on bass and the terrific Lisa Pankratz on drums.

It was a phenomenal set but a great joy for me to see Phil looking and sounding so strong. Particularly on James Brown's first hit from 1956, 'Please Please Please' on which his voice was absolutely awesome. Another highlight was 'Johnny Ace is Dead' and it seemed only fitting that from Dave's 'Eleven Eleven' album, they should do 'What's Up With Your Brother'.

It was a rocking, stomping evening and personally I can't wait for their next visit.