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!

Glitter Band / Paper Lace - Thursday 11th April - Croydon Fairfield Halls

Yep, I know. Not 2 bands you'd expect to feature on this blog. But, showing my age, these are 2 bands I listened to whilst growing up in the 70's. And a local trip to Croydon was an opportunity not to be turned down, although by the sparse audience, not many others shared that view!

Paper Lace did not disappoint with a greatest hits set including the brilliant "Billy Don't Be A Hero". Of more surprise was a really good version of Quo's "Whatever You Want" and the Eagles "Heartache Tonight".

The Glitter band also wisely stuck to their hits, both those recorded under their own name and those with the now disgraced Gary Glitter. As you can imagine this let to a bit of a sing-a-long and a feel good evening. So, if they come around again, park your street-cred at the door and go and have some fun.

Paul Rodgers - Saturday 30th March - Chichester Venue

First gig for a while that we've been unable to get to (and more importantly, home from) by public transport. The show - in a bizarre trading estate venue - was in aid of the local horse sanctuary and also featured the Deborah Bonham band. We caught part of her set which was good - a raucous version of Led Zep's "Rock And Roll" bringing things to a close.

After an auction which went on a bit longer that expected. Mr Rodgers arrived in a fine yellow shirt. Borrowing Deborah Bonham's band, I was amazed by the 100% Free setlist that followed which included songs apparently not played for several years if not decades. The band were fantastic (especially lead guitar), vocals as good as ever and this truly was a night to remember. See you next year?

Setlist
Wishing Well
The Stealer
Ride on a Pony
Be My Friend
Songs of Yesterday
Fire and Water
Mr. Big
Remember
I'm a Mover
Woman
Oh I Wept
My Brother Jake
Little Bit of Love
+
Walk In My Shadow
The Hunter
+
All Right Now

The Union - Thursday 28th March - Islington Academy

This was the rescheduled gig from the abandoned one a few weeks ago. The venue was noticeably less full than it was then - the pending Easter break may have had something to do with that.

Peter Shoulder appeared to have fully recovered and his vocals were top notch - as was the playing from the rest of the band. I couldn't put my finger on why, but this felt slightly flatter than other performances by this excellent band. That's not to say it wasn't good - I'd just give an 8/10 instead of their normal 9+.

Setlist
Step Up To The Plate
You're my Jesus
Tangled Up In You
Cut The Line
The Perfect Crime
The World Is Yours
Obsession
Saviour
Tonight I'm Alive
Black Monday
Fading Out Of Love
Black Gold
Siren's Song
+
Come Rain, Come Shine
Watch The River Flow

Status Quo - Saturday 16th April - Hammersmith Apollo

More of the same (without the pre-show tribute band) - this time we were nearer to the front. Great atmosphere again. Same set as last night (no surprise there). Being at the front, it was apparent that Alan Lancaster looked a little frailer than I'd previously noticed. He was also having great difficulty holding on to the plectrum he uses to pluck his bass - by my reckoning he must have dropped it at least a dozen times. As the roadie usually had to come on to pick it up, I wondered why they didn't simply have a strip of replacements on his mic stand? I hope this wasn't a sign of Alan's much talked about illness and that he comes through this run of shows in good health.

Another great night. Now partly regretting not booking for Wembley Arena tomorrow!

Setlist
Junior's Wailing
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
Forty-Five Hundred Times
Rain
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
+
Don't Waste My Time
Bye Bye Johnny

Status Quo - Friday 15th April - Hammersmith Apollo

A tour 32 years in the making - the (temporary) return of the "classic" Frantic Four line-up of Status Quo. Having first seen Quo in 1984, I had never actually seen the incarnation of Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan, so it was with much anticipation (and a little trepidation that it might not be as good as we all hoped) that an afternoon was booked of and we trekked off to Hammersmith.

The Distillers pub in Hammersmith were hosting tribute band "Stated Quo" and they entertained a packed house with a raucous collection of familiar and more obscure Quo tunes.

After a few pints, it was off to the main venue to get a decent spot. We settled for a good view about 1/3 of the way back, left of centre. The pre-show atmosphere was electric - the kind I've only experience a couple of times in nearly 30 yrs of gig going. An almighty roar greeted the lights going down and an edited version of Jackie Lynton's classic introduction from 1977 played on the PA. "Is there anybody out there that wants to rock....?"...

Indeed there was.

Starting off with Junior's Wailing, Lancaster took vocals on the first 3 songs. The set flew by with an intensity that belied the combined ages of the 4 musicians on stage (circa 250). Rossi was on fine form - solos were brilliantly played and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Also noticeable was the lack of messing around / changing words etc - maybe because all the show were being recorded? Who knows, but it was good to see a serious "no messing" performance.

An hour and a half later we were all done with the last few "Bye Bye's" of Bye Bye Johnny. On the way out we agreed how fantastic it had been. A one off tour? Let's hope not!

Setlist
Junior's Wailing
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
Forty-Five Hundred Times
Rain
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
+
Don't Waste My Time
Bye Bye Johnny

Snakecharmer - Saturday 23rd February - Islington Assembly Hall

Another trip to Islington, this time a solo trip to a venue I'd never been to before - the recently reopened Assembly Hall. The venue inside has been nicely restored - there's no proper ticket office, so the £20 "on the door" fee unfortunately only got me a hand stamp, not a proper ticket. I grabbed a quick can of Red Stripe and headed for my standard gig position (down the front on the left) assuming that would be Micky Moody's side (it was).

For those who don't know, Snakecharmer includes ex-Whitesnake members Micky Moody and Neil Murray and had started life playing primarily old Whitesnake material. Tonight however, they were promoting their self titled album of all new material which is actually quite superb -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snakecharmer/dp/B00A3XWAU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361885251&sr=8-1

The venue was busier than I'd anticipated and the show excellent, from the duelling lead guitars to the powerful drumming of Harry James (ironic how all the shows I've been to since Thunder in Manchester have contained the 5 members of Thunder between them!). Vocalist Chris Ousey doesn't appear totally comfortable engaging with the audience, but his singing vocals were spot on, both on the new material and the Whitesnake songs including the ever popular "Here I Go Again" and "Fool For Your Loving". Let's hope the bands touring schedule becomes less erratic than previously and they come around again soon.

Setlist
Guilty As Charged
A Little Rock & Roll
Ready an' Willing
Accident Prone
To The Rescue
Falling Leaves
Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues
Smoking Gun
Moody's Blues [Mick Moody & Harry James]
Slow An' Easy
Cover Me In You
Nothing To Lose
Here I Go Again
Take Me With You
+
My Angel
Fool for Your Loving

The Union - Thursday 21st February - Islington Academy

Glad I took the photo early in the set!

A chilly evening in Islington. After a couple of drinks at the Highbury and Islington end of Upper Street, we got to the Academy in plenty of time to see the support slot from Little Angel's frontman Toby Jepson. Playing a selection of solo and band material (all acoustic), he was in good voice although the crowd seemed slightly reluctant to get into full sing-a-long mode.

Then it was time for The Union. Having seen the rehearsal a couple of weeks ago this was a show I was looking forward to. I hadn't imagined it would only last 2 and a half songs! Unfortunately singer Peter Shoulder was suffering from a bad bout of flu and decided he couldn't continue. To be fair, the vocals hadn't sounded bad out front but the band rightly wanted to present their set in the best light. The show is due to be rearranged and hopefully Peter will recover soon.

We were trying to remember other shows I've been to which have been cut short midway through. I remember T'Pau going off twice in the late eighties - once when Carol Decker had nearly lost her voice (and they rescheduled) and once when I vaguely recall she'd fallen over at Hammersmith (I may be wrong on that!). Also Roger Daltrey went off at Wembley Arena in 1989 with the Who, leaving the others to do the encore without him (which led to an excellent Townshend version of Won't Get Fooled Again with full guitar smashing). Gary Moore cancelled after the support had finished, but hadn't started his set. Oh and Little Steven was bottled off at Quo's Selhurst Park gig in 1984! So, unless my memory is going (it is!), this was the first one in the last 20 years of gig going for me.

We briefly met Toby Jepson on the way out and he was very welcoming and happy to have a photo taken with Richard which was nice.

Setlist
Step Up To The Plate
You're My Jesus
Tangled Up In You (half)

The Union - Saturday 9th February - Terminal Studios, London

Peter Shoulder of The Union in rehearsal

A very special show this one. Having signed up as a "pledger" to support the recording of the Union's new album, Rich and I paid to attend an informal rehearsal at Terminal Studios where the band run through the set for the forthcoming tour, have a few beers and chat with their fans. Sounds good? Well it was.

When we arrived, I was surprised by how small the studio was and the fact that there were only about 20 of us in the audience. The band had kindly provided drinks (Luke even popping out to Sainsbury's for more beer!) and were mingling before the action started, kindly waiting for a couple of latecomers. They then romped through the new set, with all of us guaranteed a first or second row spot, interspersed with a couple of stories or a bit of chat. If the band made a rare mistake, they went over it - just like a real rehearsal. When all was done, there was plenty of time for more chat and more beer. The band were happy for photos and autographs (we all got a setlist which was a nice touch) as well as answering all our "fan-type" questions. To say we were made welcome was an understatement. A great afternoon and thanks to Luke, Pete, Chris and Dave!

Setlist
Step Up To The Plate
You're My Jesus
Tangled Up In You
Cut The Line
Perfect Crime
The World Is yours
Obsession
Saviour
Tonight I'm Alive
Black Monday
Fading Out Of Love
Black Gold
Siren's Song
+
Goodbye
Watch The River Flow

Danny & Ben - Friday 25th January - Shaw Theatre, London

After the success of their previous tour, Danny & Ben return for a second instalment of their chat, stories and music. The venue - a very pleasant small theatre near Euston - was full and we got there early enough to secure a good unreserved seat.

The format was similar to last time - lots of funny stories from "the road" (most still involving Harry James, Thunder's drummer!), a few cringeworthy puns and jokes and some excellent musical interludes. This time around there were less covers and more Thunder songs and a good time seemed to be had by all. It being the London show, I think we got a couple of extra songs compared to the rest of the tour.

At the end of the evening I purchased the new CD from the nice girl at the merchandise stand. We then popped into the pub next door for a nightcap and felt VERY old! Must have been student night!

Setlist

Get Where I Belong

One Night

Backstreet Symphony

War Pigs (snippet in jazz lounge style!)

She's So Fine

An Englishman On Holiday

+

See My Baby Walking 

Vincent 

Unchain My Heart

Don't Wait For Me 

The Devil Made Me Do It 

+

A Better Man (with Lucie Bowes)

Make You Feel My Love