OF all the acts lined up for the revived Burnley International Rock and Blues Festival it was the announcement of Jimmie Vaughan which caused music lovers to sit up and take notice.

For blues fans, Vaughan has a special status, particularly so for fans on the other side of the Atlantic, and for him to headline the festival’s opening night – his only UK date – demonstrated a pretty serious statement of intent by the organisers.

So no pressure there then.

But after 40 years in the business, the former Fabulous Thunderbird was more than up to the challenge.

With his excellent Tilt a Whirl Band, he served up a mix of blues, early rock and roll, and a little country thrown in.

Dressed all in black, and with a pomade quiff, Vaughan looked uncannily like Johnny Cash. Although magnificent as he was, Cash never played guitar like this.

In spite of seeming a little distracted early on by one or two equipment issues, Vaughan delivered close to two hours of entertainment. With a stand-up bass and trumpet and sax, some of it was gloriously old fashioned.

When the band were joined by guest vocalist Lou Ann Barton, who also sang with Jimmie’s younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan, it introduced a more country feel to proceedings, and a little more fun into what was already an enjoyable night.

Vocally he’s fine but it’s as a guitarist with his own distinctive sound where Jimmie Vaughan still stands out.

Legend is a much over-used term, but Burnley got a rare chance to enjoy one on the festival opening night.

JOHN ANSON