THE irony of being in a band that first hit the road 20 long years ago, travelled the world, were praised by all and sundry but then ended up back where they first started is clearly not lost on The Producers.

“We’ve been described as local boys done good,” observed co-founder Harry Skinner wryly. “Well we’ve done so good that we’re back in Wimborne.”

Not that guitarist Skinner and bass player Dave Saunders seemed to mind. Complete with relatively new keyboards man and drummer Ray Drury and Biff Smith, they tore through a blistering, bluesy set at the Tivoli that revisited past glories and unveiled some brand new material too.

The Producers of course won awards galore on the blues circuit in the 1990s but in 2001 famously decided to call it a day. Eighteen months ago, after years of being badgered by fans, they finally decided to re-form.

Their Tivoli show was a reminder of why they were, and indeed still are, so successful. With occasional help from a two piece horn section, they delivered a finely polished set which heralds the start of a summer loaded with local gigs. The Producers are well and truly back.