About

Mystery Train are a Cambridgeshire-based band who specialise in good-time, rootsy, Blues and R’n’B-based music. They perform traditonal Blues numbers, Rock ‘n’ Roll and original songs as well as some covers of great 60s and 70s songs.

Mystery Train was formed from among a pool of local musicians, some of whom also play in other bands, to play blues and good-time roots music. Originally meeting on alternate Thursdays in the Blue Ball in Granchester for purely blues sessions, they now play at many other locations playing a wider palette of roots and country blues, including a fair helping of new and original material. The sound ranges from up-beat to mellow, with some hot-picking guitar and virtuoso harmonica.

Fronting Mystery Train is Malcolm Guite on guitar and vocals. Known to many as the “Rocking Rev”, Malcolm is an Anglican priest whose day-job is looking after the spiritual needs of the students at Girton College. Malcolm writes some of the band’s material including Stuck on the A14, a local favourite for obvious reasons.

In addition to classic blues numbers, Mystery Train’s influences and repertoire include: Bob Dylan, The Band, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Gram Parsons and Steve Earle. The vibe of a Mystery Train session is like an amalgam of “The Last Waltz” and The Rolling Thunder Review, and evenings tend to end with the whole house singing along to songs like “I Shall Be Released” and “Midnight Special”…