The Bluefields / Mick Ralphs Blues Band - Friday 12th April - Borderline

The Bluefields are yet another band of blog favourite Dan Baird. Having not purchased with or the band's CDs (until tonight), I wasn't disappointed with the blend of country / southern rock that wouldn't have been out of place with most of Dan's other projects. What was bizarre was to see him on bass though.

The evening had started with the excellent Mick Ralphs and his Blues band, making this an exceptional value ticket. Mick even through in a pair of Bad Company Songs which was certainly appreciated by many of us.

One interesting touch from the headliners was the encore of 4 covers - each chosen by a member of the band. All good fun and a bonus "Ling point" too. The band very kindly stopped for a chat after the show and signed my 2 new purchases.

Setlist *
If Not Now When
Don't Blame Me
Don't Let Me Fall
Bad Old Days
What You Won't Do
Lay It On The Line
Flat Out Gone
Trainwreck
Nobody Loves You
Sweet Medusa
She's So Sick/100 Watt Girl
Suicide Doors
Belong
Wake It Up
Repair My Soul
+
Sin City
California Man
Jesus Just Left Chicago
I Fought The Law

*Setlist not 100% confirmed, but this isn't far off!

Ian Hunter - Friday 19th of October - Shepherd's Bush Empire

Mr Ian Hunter

Back to the Shepherd's Bush Empire for the second night running - this time standing on the floor. Whilst not full, a healthy crowd turned up to see Mr Hunter play a selection of material from his solo albums and some Mott The Hopple material as well. For man well into his 70s, his vocals are excellent and the band that he has assembled are very competent. Ian switched seamlessly between guitar and piano and the sonngs from his new album "When I'm President" mixed in well with the old classics.

To round off the evening it was no surprise at all to see his daughter Tracy and Mick Ralphs join the band for a rousing "All the Young Dudes". If it wasn't for the fact that we go away for the weekend tomorrow, I'd be back for the 3rd night running with Steve Miller.

Setlist
Comfortable (Flyin' Scotsman)
Once Bitten Twice Shy
Fatally Flawed
Wash Us Away
Just The Way You Look Tonight
23A, Swan Hill
Irene Wilde (first part) / All The Way From Memphis
All American Alien Boy
Black Tears
Just Another Night
Isolation
When I'm President
Flowers
Roll Away The Stone
Michael Picasso
Sweet Jane
+
Girl From the Office (snippet)
Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse)
The Moon Upstairs
Saturday Gigs / Life
All the Young Dudes

Mick Ralphs Blues Band - Saturday 26th November - Jazz Cafe, Camden

Having seen Mr Ralphs on numerous occasions in various guise, this is the first time I'd seen him as a headline act in his own right. The fact that he'd be playing no Bad Company or Mott The Hoople Material in his own set was offset by the choice of support band - "Free & Co" - guess what they played !!! -;)

I got my first "2 pointer" of the evening by recognising drummer Phil Martini in their line-up - last seen (by us) in The Quireboys and The Union.

Mick and his excellent blues band then played a competent set. In fact that's doing a dis-service. For a set where we basically knew nothing but 1 or 2 snippets of songs, it was actually really good. I was also surprised that no songs appeared to feature the words "I Woke Up This Morning" !!). Later, I gained further "spotting points" by seeing Photographer Ross Halfin (working), Tracy Hunter (at the bar), Kurt Brandon (also at the bar) and rumours of a sighting of Jimmy Page (upstairs). Well worth the trip.

Setlist
Rock Me Baby
Hi-Heel Sneakers
Just a Little Bit
Next Time You See Me
Blow Blues
Mr. Charlie
Hide Away
It Hurts Me Too
Help Me
Further On Up the Road
Got My Mojo Working
Mamma Talk To Your Daughter