Last Fair Deal

 Last Fair Deal

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Last Fair Deal were a Three piece Country Blues acoustic outfit in Coventry - offshoot of the main electric band - Wandering John in late 60's early 70's.

They took their title from the country blues song  "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" by blues musician Robert Johnson recorded in 1936.

The original line up in 1969 - 70 was - John Gravenor (Wandering John) - Vocals / John Westacott (Whistler) - Harmonica / Violin / John Alderson (Wandering John) - Dobro (Delta Resonator Guitar).

This three piece would in between the sets of the main band Wandering John as an acoustic blues session and separately at folk or acoustic gigs. They played the Transcendental Cauldron at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club for instance and their 1969 Music Marathon. They also played Pete Waterman's Progressive Music night at the The Walsgrave - see the ticket below.

Songs included were Louisiana Blues, There's a Man Going Round Taking Names..

Quite refreshing and authentic versions.

Wandering John and Last Fair Deal had split up by early 1971 but by 1973 guitarist John Alderson had moved to Saudersfoot in Wales and formed a new duo called Last Fair Deal  - see the card - with songwriter Piet Brinton, with different and original material. They entered the Melody Maker Competition in that Year and also sent a tape off to - I think - Island records. Nothing came of these initiatives but the duo played around some of the local venues and festivals in Wales.

Photo from the Melody Maker 1973

Below - early Last Fair deal at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club 1969.

Once again by 2001 (the earliest I head of the outfit) back in Coventry John Alderson formed a new electric and acoustic version of Last Fair deal doing blues numbers once more. The electric line up included John Alderson on guitars, Tim James (ex Ra Ho Tep) on blues harp and saxophone and vocals, Steve Thomas bass, Jeff Durow drums.

The acoustic version consisted of John Alderson on dobro and Tim James on harp and sax and vocals. The pair often worked in schools offering blues sessions for music departments.

In 2010 Wandering John reformed for the 40th anniversary playing to a packed audience at the Coventry Sphinx club and the original Last Fair Deal played there in between sets as originally.

The concert was filmed by Nomad (Gordon Smith of Lyme Regis Internet TV) and near the top of the page you'll find footage of the Last Fair Deal.