Jim Cregan - Tuesday 29th April - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:
This was "an evening with" interview show without music. Jim is a great storyteller and was able to share amusing anecdotes for a couple of hours with the majority not being in his excellent book "And On Guitar...". Most famous for being part of the Rod Stewart band for many years, he is also the guy who did the famous solo on Steve Harley's "Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile)" which he described as life-changing for him. Apparently that was an early hours recording done in 3 takes aided by a few cognacs.

You suspect Jim would be the perfect dinner guest. The only criticism was a slight reliance on some video footage which could have been kept shorter to allow more speaking time. Otherwise, a fun evening.

Venue and View:  Seated - back row, centre.

Pat McManus - Thursday 24th April - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  An evening in the company of the extraordinary Pat McManus. A guitar virtuoso, he is known as "The Professor" for good reason. As you know, I like guitar based rock and have a number of guitar heroes. But in terms of technical ability, Pat must be towards the top of that very long list. He plays the fiddle too. Rich and I have a phrase as frustrated guitar "players" - he is "annoyingly good"! Tonight's show featured a higher number of covers than normal including excellent versions of Crossroads, Jumping Jack Flash, The Stumble and Walking By Myself.

He must enjoy playing the Half Moon too as he seems to be here every six months or so.

Venue and View:  Seated (with no table) a few rows back on the left hand side

Roger Daltrey - Sunday 20th April - Brighton Dome

Brief review:  A Sunday evening in Brighton with Sea and Sand (& pebbles) for Roger Daltrey. He has been in the news this week for (allegedly) sacking and then reinstating Who drummer Zak Starkey. This is the first night of his UK Solo tour. Vocals were fantastic a few weeks ago and they were again here. Equally welcome was that his passion for Johnny Cash is curbed this evening and the covers are refreshingly new for my ears at least.

Venue and View:  Seated half a dozen rows back on the left of the floor.

Setlist

Let My Love Open the Door
Freedom Ride
Who Are You
Waiting for a Friend
Giving It All Away
After the Fire
So Sad About Us
Days of Light
Squeeze Box
The Kids Are Alright
Won't Get Fooled Again
Going Mobile
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Without Your Love
The Boy in the Bubble
Baba O'Riley
+
Tribute to Hank Williams

Primal Scream - Thursday 10th April - Hammersmith Eventim Apollo

Brief review:  Of course the Eventim Apollo will always be the Hammersmith Odeon to those of us of a certain age. It really is a fantastic rock venue and was well suited to tonight's show. A very dapper Bobbie Gillespie wore a black and white outfit and seemed in good voice. Personally, I thought the early part of the show took a while to get going, but then I do prefer the rockier tunes to the danceable ones (appreciating that they aren't exclusive to each other). Anyway, a set of decent length (1hr 45 mins) provided variety and I especially enjoyed the last half. Especially when a couple of the more slaughtered members of the audience had moved away (either being carried out or bouncing their way forwards).

But a special call out to the (non-drunk) guy who carried 4 pints on his own from the bar outside, through the crowd to a spot in front of us without spilling a drop. An amazing effort.

Venue and View:  Normal spot, front left, standing. Busier than expected.

Setlist
Don't Fight It, Feel It
Love Insurrection
Jailbird
Ready To Go Home
Deep Dark Waters
Medication
Innocent Money
Heal Yourself
I'm Losing More Than I'll Ever Have
Love Ain't Enough
The Centre Cannot Hold
Loaded
Swastika Eyes
Movin' on Up
Country Girl
+
Melancholy Man
Come Together (included a snippet of Suspicious Minds)
Rocks

Tyla - Thursday 3rd April - Cavern, Raynes Park

Brief review:  Tyla from the Dogs D'Amour with a relatively rare band show. Less chat than normal and a set which concentrated on the first 2 albums. Very enjoyable with a predictable guest spot from the Quireboys' Spike for "How Come It Never Rains".

Venue and View:  Standing towards the back

Setlist

* I'm fairly certain that Errol Flynn was missed out.