IT'S a few weeks off yet, but local fans of the Frankfurt-based outfit Blues Power will be pleased to hear that the band has lined up a South Devon mini-tour for early June.

Blues Power founder, vocalist and ace guitarist Stefan Jahn contacted me a few days ago to confirm he has lined-up dates at Brixham Rugby Club on June 6, plus Molloy's in St Marychurch (June 8); the Manor Inn, Paignton (June 9); Parkers Arms, Paignton (June 10) and the Lime Tree in Paignton on June 11.

Stefan said: "I will be bringing the original members of Blues Power with me on this tour. They are Reiner Gold on bass and Csaba Beke on drums and vocals."

AS trailed in last Thursday's LoweDown column, the latest Teignmouth Music Sessions event is being held tonight in the lounge at the town's Carlton Theatre from 8.30pm.

Event organiser and spokesman John Perkins said: "The Teignmouth Sessions is a free music evening where we aim to show what good musical talent there is in and around Teignmouth.

"The evenings develop as people want them too, but usually consist of a mixture of acoustic and electric open mic performances, and sometimes musicians get together for some excellent blues jamming.

"Normally several local bands put in appearances, and some well known local solo artists play two or three numbers as well.

"In the past, we have also been amazed by some previously unknown local musicians or vocalists who have just turned up to play.

"We get a mixture of original compositions plus the usual well known covers and the quality has always been excellent.

"Admission is free, and once again we're hoping to create a great musical evening for local people to enjoy.

"All local musicians are invited and amplification, etc is provided."

Those who would like to come and play or sing should contact John by email at theteigmouthsessions@googlemail.com. Alternatively, text or phone me on 07919 354426

JULIAN Piper, the spokesman for Blues South West, has been in touch with news of an imminent visit to Devon by the critically acclaimed American blues man Woody Pines. Julian said: "Woody Pines and His Band come to Devon on Saturday at 8pm for an appearance at the Globe Hotel in Topsham.

"Some talented musicians have the ability to transport the listener to a different time simply by hitting some guitar strings or opening their mouths to sing, or both.

"Woody Pines is such a man. He plays and sings and you find yourself in the Mississippi Delta when AM radio was king, and you're sipping whiskey if you were fortunate, or moonshine if you were desperate.

The Woody Pines Band lines up with Pines on guitar, banjo, harmonica and lead vocals, plus Zack Pozebanchuk on upright bass; Nathan Taylor on drums, and Darin Gentry on fiddle.

"The resulting sound is redolent of the Dixieland of a much simpler time," added Julian.

"Woody says that New Orleans has music seeping out of the bricks in the old French quarter.

"In fact he moved to New Orleans to study the city's famous music scene, but he now lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

"He and the band went down to New Orleans not only to learn the music note for note, but also to acquaint themselves with the food and lifestyle that make New Orleans so special."

"The band has been playing together for two and half years, but Pines is the driving force both creatively and on stage.

"This has lead to some notable comparisons. Pines says he's not sure where the Bob Dylan associations come from, but he admits to taking the comparisons as a compliment.

"Woody Pines comes from a musical family and he has been playing music for a long as he can remember.

"He describes the band's sound as one that has been created through time. Indeed its songs reflect that belief. Reefer Man immediately brings to mind a haunting, Halloween hootenanny, while Pretty Blue Eyes puts the listener into the back seat of a Chevvy convertible, cruising around the roads of the Mississippi Delta on a crisp, autumn night.

"Several other songs by the band, such as Nashville and Delta Bound, evoke thoughts of a post-Civil War America where the blues weren't just a style of music, but a way of life.

"Pines says he picks and chooses the best sounding stuff. In fact, everything from big band swing to old country blues goes into their music."

Advance tickets for Saturday's Globe Hotel concert are £8 each and they're available from Joel Segal Books on 01392 877895.