Tom Robinson - Saturday 26th October - Hazlewood Theatre, Oxted

Brief review:  A trip to deepest Surrey and the theatre attached to an arts school in Oxted. Torches were required for the walk from the town / station which added to the unique experience. Tom and the band were on excellent form (this was actually billed as a TRB show) and there were a couple of different amusing anecdotes. We had to sneak out during the final song to ensure that the last train home was caught. And, a rarity these days, I actually purchased a tour T-shirt!

Venue and View:  Second Row seats on left.

Setlist

All Right All Night
Bully for You
Too Good to Be True
Martin
Let My People Be
Days of Rage
Ain't Gonna Take It
Grey Cortina
Long Hot Summer
+
Hold Out
The Winter of '79
Blue Murder
Don't Take No for an Answer
Glad to Be Gay
Up Against the Wall
2-4-6-8 Motorway
+
Power in the Darkness
Never Gonna Fall in Love (Again)
War Baby

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
+
Only the Now
Power in the Darkness

Tom Robinson - Wednesday 25th October - 100 Club, Oxford St

One Line Review: Excellent all round - surprised by how much of the material I knew.

Setlist
Up Against the Wall
Grey Cortina
Too Good to Be True
Ain't Gonna Take It
Long Hot Summer
The Winter of '79
Man You Never Saw
Better Decide Which Side You’re On
You Gotta Survive
Power in the Darkness
+
Martin
(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay
2-4-6-8 Motorway
Don't Take No for an Answer

SAS Band - Saturday 3rd December - Guildford G Live

Spike Edney's SAS Band return for their annual Christmas knees up. With guests Tom Robinson, Midge Ure, Toyah Wilcox, Madeline Bell and Patti Russo, this fitted into the standard show - classic rock covers played by exceptional musicians. Only slight disappointment was - like  last time around - the "other special guests" didn't materialise. Still, those we had were good - the version of "2,4,6,8" was possibly the best I've heard. For me, Midge Ure stole the show with the trio of "Vienna", "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" and "The Boys Are Back In Town". Toyah and Jamie Moses did a decent version of Fairytale of New York and there were nice musical tributes to David Bowie and Leonard Cohen.

It was good, and I enjoyed it, but the amount of spare room in the standing area was possibly a reflection of the high ticket cost and the familiarity of the guests.

Setlist anyone?

Tom Robinson - Friday 30th October - Harpenden Public Halls

A busy October comes to an end with another new venue for me (and indeed new town) - and a Thameslink trek across town to the Harpenden Public Halls.

I had been impressed with Mr Robinson a month or 2 back and with Mrs B keen to see him too, this was the only accessible show for us on the rest of the tour.

The show was in a different show to the new album showcase in London. It was still in two halves, but followed a more traditional mix of hits interspersed with new material.

Again it was really enjoyable. The view was good, with a very high stage and sound quality excellent. Tom's personality comes across really well with the in-between song stories and the musicianship was, once again, of high standard. There was even an improvised "Grey Cortina" in response to an audience request, which possibly wasn't on the original setlist. Sadly, we had to leave at the end of "2-4-6-8 Motorway" to get the train and missed the "surprise" encore, but again a fun evening was had in what looks to be a nice town. I shall return.

Setlist
The Winter of '79
Too Good to Be True
Cry Out
Never Get Old
Martin
Up Against the Wall
Merciful God
War Baby
+
Meet Me Half Way [Duet with Lee Forsyth-Griffiths]
Home In The Morning
Don't Jump, Don't Fall
Atmospherics: Listen to the Radio
Glad to Be Gay
Risky Business
The Mighty Sword Of Justice
Grey Cortina
2-4-6-8 Motorway
+
Power in the Darkness
Only The Now

Tom Robinson - Friday 18th September - Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank

Having enjoyed Mr Robinson at the SAS band Christmas bash last year, I was looking forward to this show. Refreshingly honest, he was upfront with the audience from the off, saying that all the hits would be played in part one of the show, Part two would be the soon-to-be released new album songs, so come back for that "only if you want to".

Well the first half was really good. I only really know his top 3/4 songs (and I'm the only person in the UK who doesn't know "War Baby" apparently!), but all was good. The stories between songs were entertaining and it's hard to believe Tom is 65 - he has aged remarkably well.

Second half was as promised ("If you've just come in, you've missed 2-4-6-8 Motorway - sorry!") and whilst I'm not convinced I'll rush out and buy the new album, was perfectly fine. Tom mentioned he'd been away for 19 years - please come back soon.

SAS Band - Saturday 6th December - Guildford G-Live

At last years SAS Band Christmas show, Spike had hinted at a 20th anniversary tour  featuring "as many guests that have worked with us over the years that we can get". Possibly due to the 2014 Queen tour, that had been scaled back to a warm-up in Southampton and this show back at Guildford.

So it was with that expectation that we'd probably see loads of names with a high percentage chance of the remaining Queen members turning up for some pre-holiday fun.

Things started off with band stalwart Chris Thompson being joined by original bassist Neil Murray and the regulars Johnny Marter. Jamie Moses and, of course, Spike Edney. Other regulars followed - Mick Wilson (10cc), Patti Russo, Madeline Bell and Paul Young. The Fabba Girls did their standard bit in the middle too and there was the always fun "29 Riffs".

The 2 highlights for me where the 2 artists I'd not seen with the SAS Band before - Tom Robinson and Mel C. Tom included (in his words) "A medley of my greatest hit" - the classic "2 4 6 8 Motorway" and an entertaining story and sing-a-long- "Glad To be Gay". Mel C showed that she is the Spice Girl who can sing and her version of "River Deep, Mountain High" especially was excellent.

Errr.. and that was it, guest-wise. Which, unfortunately left it feeling a bit of a downer. Don't get me wrong, the band always deliver a solid (and fun) performance - and you should go if you've never seen them, but this was an expensive ticket and billed as a special anniversary rather than a regular show. Maybe we've just been spoiled before.

Setlist
Davy's On The Road Again (with Chris Thompson)
Blinded by the Light (with Chris Thompson)
Happy (with Mick Wilson)
Bring Me a Bible and a Beer (with Patti Russo)
Radar Love (with Patti Russo)
Come Back and Stay (with Paul Young)
Cold Sweat (with Paul Young)
The Power of Love (with Madeline Bell)
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (with Madeline Bell)
Listen to the Radio (with Tom Robinson)
I Predict a Riot (with Tom Robinson)
2-4-6-8 Motorway (with Tom Robinson)
(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay (with Tom Robinson)
Mamma Mia (Fabba Girls)
Dancing Queen (Fabba Girls)
29 Riffs (SAS Band)
Don't Stop Me Now (with Me C)
I Wish (with Mel C)
I Turn to You (with Mel C)
River Deep, Mountain High (with Mel C)
Everyday Hurts 
Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) (with Chris Thompson)
+
[unknown]
Oh Happy Day (ensemble)
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (ensemble)
Do They Know It's Christmas? (ensemble)
You're the Voice (ensemble)