Joanne Shaw Taylor - Tuesday 26th April - Shepherds Bush Empire

Brief review:  Joanne goes from strength to strength, although her move to Joe Bonamassa's record label seems to make her records and merchandise a challenge to buy in the UK! Here, she was supporting her new blues covers album and the set had a fair number of those, together with a smattering of "best of" material. I'm not sure if her new US based band offer much over the old, but she is certainly the focus and the guitar work was as solid as ever.

Joanne's shows are certainly amongst the quietest when it comes to audience reaction, but if you are playing the blues then that is what you've signed up to I guess. That shouldn't detract from how good those shows normally are though, as was the case tonight.

Venue and View:  Near the front and very central on the World's narrowest seats. Thankfully one next to me was empty! 

Setlist

Stop Messin' Round
If That Ain't a Reason
Keep On Lovin' Me
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
Can't You See What You're Doing to Me
Two Time My Lovin'
Let Me Down Easy
Three Time Loser
Dyin' to Know
Just Another Word
I've Been Loving You Too Long
Let It Burn
Time Has Come
Mud, Honey
Going Home
+
Bad Love

Suzi Quatro - Wednesday 20th April - Royal Albert Hall

Andy Scott, Suzi Quatro, Don Powell

Brief review:  Bizarrely, after all my years of gig going, I've never seen Suzi - apart from introducing the bands at a Slade / Mud show years ago. This wasn't the cheapest of tickets, but the venue and occasion promised a special set and so it proved. A lengthy show - split into 2 halves contained the hits, rarities, some decent covers and guests in the form of her son, Andy Scott (Sweet) and Don Powell (Slade).

The music was interspersed with some stories, all of which were interesting - even for the casual fan. And the music itself was spot on, suitably loud and well performed. An excellent evening.

Venue and View:  Seated on the floor, about half way back, central.

Setlist

[Set 1]

The Wild One

I May Be Too Young

Daytona Demon

Tear Me Apart

Mama's Boy

Stumblin' In

48 Crash

No Soul / No Control (with Richard Tuckey)

The Devil In Me (with Richard Tuckey)

Slow Down (with Andy Scott and Don Powell)

Rockin' in the Free World (with Andy Scott and Don Powell)

Can I Be Your Girl? 

[Set 2]

Motor City Riders

I Sold My Soul Today

Rock Hard

She's in Love With You

Bass Solo & Drum Duet (Another One Bites the Dust - Superstition - Smoke On The Water Jam)

Your Mamma Won't Like Me

Too Big

Glycerine Queen / Bass Solo

Can The Can

Devil Gate Drive

If You Can't Give Me Love

Sweet Little Rock & Roller

Desperado