Russ Ballard - Thursday 9th November - Nell's Blues Club, Kensington

Brief review:   I get the same old dreams, same time every night. Well, if those dreams involve Nell’s in Kensington then they are true tonight. Russ Ballard is the name you may not know, but will almost certainly known a few songs of. He’s the man who told us that God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to you and the classic “Since You Been Gone” as well as hits for acts as diverse as Three Dog Night and Hot Chocolate.

Venue and View:  Raised table overlooking the stage, front-right (photo from standing on floor)

Setlist
It's Only Money
Playing With Fire
Dream On
In the Night
Time Machine
Hold Your Head Up
The Fire Still Burns
Liar
A Woman Like You
Rene Didn't Do It
Since You Been Gone
Voices
Two Silhouettes
I Can't Hear You No More
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God Gave Rock and Roll to You

Tom Robinson - Friday 22nd October - Nell's, Kensington

Brief review:  Music and stories from the BBC Radio 6 presenter and eponymous founder of "The Tom Robinson Band" (TRB). Tom is the second performer I've seen this week (after Roger Taylor) who is in his seventies, but he is still able to delivery his music with power and passion. Many of the protest songs are still relevant today, as well as a reminder of what has changed since the 70's. An excellent evening.

Venue and View:  Still one of my favourite venues. Central floor view, a couple of yards from the stage.

Setlist

Up Against the Wall
Never Get Old
Risky Business
Martin
Spain
Too Good to Be True
The Mighty Sword of Justice
Atmospherics: Listen to the Radio
(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay
Grey Cortina
War Baby
2-4-6-8 Motorway
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Only the Now
Power in the Darkness

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Friday 13th March - Nell's, Kensington

Brief review: A night of Blues and Rock with Joanne Shaw Taylor (or JST as the backdrop says) at Nells. Pre gig pubs very quiet, although we enjoyed some excellent piano based songs from @emilyjwmusic at The Beaconsfield where our Billy Joel and Rod Stewart requests were kindly played.

The venue was pretty busy, but we managed to get a decent spot on the floor. Whisper it quietly, but this was a slight disappointment.  It wasn't bad, as Joanne is an excellent guitarist and the new album (Reckless Heart) is decent too. It's just that having promised a detailed song by song run through with stories, there was actually very little chat or audience engagement. That, combined with a very brief encore, suggested that the band did not want to hang around. It was also a different set of musicians to previous shows.

[To be fair, this show was literally just as the UK Covid-19 lockdowns were starting. The band postponed the rest of the tour straight afterwards so that they could get home.]

Setlist

In the Mood

All My Love

The Best Thing

Bad Love

Creepin'

I've Been Loving You Too Long

Reckless Heart

Break My Heart Anyway

New 89

Jake's Boogie

I'm Only Lonely

Dyin' to Know

No Reason to Stay

Jump That Train

Diamonds in the Dirt

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Going Home

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Tuesday 16th October - Nells Jazz and Blues Club, Kensington

Having originally left the ticket purchase too long (and seeing the show sell out) it was with some relief that a few extra tickets became available two days before the show. Joanne is still touring her excellent "Wild" album and this intimate performance in a really nice venue was top notch.

One of the benefits of London shows is that you often get a bonus song or 2 compared to the rest of the tour and this was true here.

I can't help but think that sooner or later Joanne is going to make that leap from "star" to "superstar" status. Maybe just needs an appropriate big name support slot for people to sit up and take notice. In the meantime, I'm happy to admire her fantastic musicianship from close quarters and look forward to the new album in 2019.

Setlist
Dyin' To Know
Nothing To Lose
No Reason To Stay
Jump That Train
Tried, Tested & True
Diamonds In The Dirt
Time Has Come
Bones
Just Another Word
Wanna Be My Lover
In The Mood 
Going Home
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Mudhoney

Quireboys - Sunday 17th September - Nell's Blues Club, Kensington

One Line Review: Good show from the boys, with blues material from their new album mixed in with a few Quireboys classics. Also nice to have a chat & photo with Spike afterwards.

Setlist
Going Down
Leaving Trunk
Misled
There She Goes Again
White Trash Blues
I Wish You Would
Take Out Some Insurance
Mona Lisa Smiled
I Don't Love You Anymore
Tramps and Thieves
Hey You
Crosseyed Cat
Walkin' the Dog
7 O'Clock
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I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man
Sweet Mary Ann