THE brother of a musician who lost his battle with cancer has compiled 29 recordings from the seventies to make a ‘wonderful’ online tribute.

Michael Woodruff’s late brother Stephen ‘Woody’ Woodruff spent his twenties playing guitar at venues across East Lancashire including Burnley Blues Festival and at Colne’s Great British R and B Festival.

And according to Michael, his big brother Stephen was a self-taught guitarist who focused on the blues music of America’s deep south musicians, including Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Willie McTell.

The acoustic sessions were recorded back in 1978 and hadn’t been heard for decades although they were poignantly brought to life when Stephen died in July last year.

Michael, who lives in Oswaldtwistle, said: “Stephen could have been a professional, he was one talented musician.

“He was very humble and never knew how good he was. You only have to listen to the recordings to hear the talent that he had.

“For such a young man at the time the passion in his music stands out more than anything.”

A former BAE Systems Engineer, Stephen lived in Blackburn with his wife Margaret and they had three girls Sarah, Helen and Jennifer.

But Michael said that Stephen gave up his hopes of being a professional musician as he preferred to be a family man.

Michael said: ““My brother was a family man and a profession in music wouldn’t have fit in with his home life.

“Thinking of that inspired me to do this website for his family - for his girls - so that they can hear him playing whenever they want.

“I miss my brother. He was a fantastic guy and this is a wonderful way to remember him.”

Over the years Stephen was a popular musician and also played at Jim’s Acoustic cafe in Colne on an occasional basis.

The 29 Folk Blues tracks were a surprise to Stephen’s wife Margaret when they were first discovered when her husband became ill.

Margaret said: “Stephen was a talented man who was a great singer and a wonderful husband and dad. I can’t bring myself to listen to the recordings just yet I will do in time.”

To listen to the music visit www.bluesman.micksvirtualwhistle.net.