Blackberry Smoke - Friday 16th November - Shepherds Bush Empire

It's always nice when a hunch pays off. And that was the case here with another band I have never seen before (and didn't own any music of before booking) turns out good. I knew by the genre of music I should like them, but it is always a gamble. As their tour T Shirt says - "too rock for country, too country for rock". Despite feeling I needed more hair to fit in with the audience, I will be back!

Setlist
Let Me Help You (Find the Door)
Leave a Scar
Good One Comin' On
Workin' for a Workin' Man
Wish in One Hand
Waiting for the Thunder
Pretty Little Lie
Rock and Roll Again
Believe You Me
Sleeping Dogs / Come Together / Sleeping Dogs
Run Away From It All
The Whippoorwill
Payback's a Bitch
Everybody Knows She's Mine
Ain't Got the Blues
Lord Strike Me Dead
One Horse Town
I'll Keep Ramblin'
+
Mother Mountain
Sunrise in Texas 
Ain't Much Left of Me

Keith Moon Tribute - Saturday 10th November - Olympia (London Drum Show)

The drummers take a bow

Normally you would not catch me within miles of a "Drum Show". But tacked onto the end of this one was a tribute to the Who's Keith Moon - billed as "Who's Playing", so that changed everything. With the bonus of a new venue (within the Olympia complex) - a mini theatre on the 2nd floor!

The premise was simple. Each Who cover had a new drummer and a bit of chat about their influences. With all money collected going to the National Deaf Children's Society it turned out to be very pleasant. I must admit I had to google a number of the performers and the singer, Steve Hunt, was obviously struggling quite badly with a cold. But all in all a decent effort from all involved.

Setlist (Song / Drummer)
The Real Me - Chris ?
The Seeker - ?
Can’t Explain - Jamie ?
Substitute - Pick Withers
My Generation - Danny Farret
Pinball Wizard - Pete Cater
Love Reign O'er Me - Chris Mansbridge
Who Are You - Jonathan Rodney
Baba O'Reilly - JR Robinson
Won’t Fooled Again - Gabor Dornyei

Steve Hunt - Vocals
Steve Smith  - Guitar
Dave Clark - Bass
Rob K - Keyboards

(corrections to performers much appreciated!)
http://www.ndcs.org.uk/

And adding a link to Steve's band:- www.whoareyou-tribute.london

John Coghlan's Quo - Friday 2nd November - Borderline

Not much to say really that I haven't written before about JC. Legendary member of the "Frantic Four" classic Status Quo lineup plays Quo songs as you'd expect them to be heard.

As you'd expect playing to a hardcore Quo fanbase, this was good as expected. Also a quick word on the newly refurbished Borderline - they have done a good job!

Setlist
???

Snakecharmer - Friday 26th October - ULU, London

So what to make of Snakecharmer? Having started off as a Whitesnake inspired tribute and moved to create an excellent debut album of their own, they seem to have lost their way slightly. Micky Moody has left and whilst those excellent musicians who are left can perform impeccably, the spark seems to have gone somewhat.

That was summed up by the fact that up until the day of the show, I wasn't 100% sure about making the trek up to the ULU - not really London's greatest venue with it's overpriced bottle-only bar, limited toilet facilities and no-balcony access policy.

I decided to go. Sadly, very few others made the same choice and I was stunned at how sparse the venue was - everyone could have popped back to mine afterwards! And that was a shame - and all credit to the band that they still performed a decent set.

There was competition for the audience from Robert Plant / Van Morrison across town, but surely not such an overlapping fan base for that to be the reason for such lack of interest. So, there must be some serious questions to be asked. How do a band as talented as this get themselves back on track?

Setlist

Laurie's Setlist

John Fogerty / Steve Miller - Thursday 25th October - O2 Arena

A nice double header at the O2. Original seat prices had been well over £100 (outrageous), but we sensibly bided our time and waited for the inevitable 2-1 offer which duly arrived a couple of weeks before showtime with half-decent seats at the side.

I've never seen Steve Miller before, but like enough of his hits to know that I should enjoy his set and indeed I did.

It will come as no surprise to seasoned blog observers that Mr Fogerty is a favourite and looking at the CCR-heavy setlist, you'll see that he delivered just what the doctor ordered. The only criticism is that it all felt a little rushed and the addition of Tyler Fogerty on vocals for 2 numbers did little to add to the occasion. Another son was in the band on guitar.

But all in all, for half price, a very good evening.

Setlist (Steve Miller)
The Stake
Abracadabra
Mercury Blues 
All Your Love (I Miss Loving) 
Space Cowboy
Kow Kow
Take the Money and Run
I Want to Make the World Turn Around
Wild Mountain Honey
Dance, Dance, Dance
Serenade From the Stars
Space Intro
Fly Like an Eagle
Swingtown
Rock'n Me
The Joker
Jungle Love
Threshold
Jet Airliner 

Setlist (John Fogerty)
Travelin' Band 
Green River 
Hey Tonight 
Up Around the Bend 
Who'll Stop the Rain 
Lookin' Out My Back Door 
Rock and Roll Girls
Good Golly Miss Molly (with Tyler Fogerty)
Psycho (with Tyler Fogerty)
Long as I Can See the Light
Mystic Highway
Born on the Bayou
My Toot Toot
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) 
New Orleans / "When the Saints Go Marching In" 
Have You Ever Seen the Rain? 
Rockin' All Over the World
Down on the Corner 
The Old Man Down the Road
Keep On Chooglin' 
Fortunate Son 
Bad Moon Rising 
Proud Mary 

Warner E Hodges - Tuesday 23rd October - Boom Boom Club, Sutton

Warner E Hodges (centre) and his band

Normally when we see Warner it's as part of the excellent Homemade Sin band with Dan Baird, so it was a treat to see him solo at the local Boom Boom Club.

Warner's passion for music (and especially AC/DC) shone through and he was engaging throughout. The music was great too, wth some solo stuff, tunes from his "other band" - Jason and the Scorchers and a smattering of covers including AC/DC, Beatles, John Denver & CCR.

A really nice evening - come back soon please Warner. "Take Me Home... Country Roads..."

Roger Daltrey - Thursday 19th October - South Bank Centre

An short-ish evening with Roger Daltrey at the South Bank where he is talking about his Autobiography (out today) called "Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite".

As you can see from the blurred picture, we were miles back in the affordable seats, but as we were lucky enough to have front row last time we saw him perform, this wasn't really an issue for an event of this format.

Some interesting stories, a brief Q&A but unfortunately no music - which was not really a surprise. The bonus was that our copies of the book (included in the ticket price) were signed. A nice touch.

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
+
Mudhoney

Halestorm - Friday 28th September - Brixton Academy

A sold our Brixton Academy for Halestorm - a band I'd seen once before and enjoyed at a metal awards show a few years back. I only recognised one song, but enjoyed the evening. It's not often I go to see a band where "official tour tattoos" are available. And no, I wasn't tempted!

Setlist
Vicious
Love Bites (So Do I)
Skulls
I Am the Fire
Do Not Disturb
Amen
Mz. Hyde
Drum Solo (Included Why Don't You Get A Job?)
Freak Like Me
Uncomfortable
Takes My Life
Black Vultures
Killing Ourselves to Live
+
The Silence
I Miss the Misery
Here's to Us

Mark Stanway - Friday 7th September - Fairkytes Live, Hornchurch

A new venue and an interesting format. Ex-Magnum keyboard maestro and all round nice bloke, Mark Stanway with "an evening with..." type event with a radio DJ prompting the questions and script. Lots of chat and stories with a few videos thrown in. There was also a Q&A and raffle(!), but the highlight was definitely a few snippets of highlights from his career so far played on the keyboard setup. And a couple of Magnum numbers with wife Mo on vocals. The hall itself was tiny - and with only 50-60 filling the seats it was the true definition of an "intimate venue".

Like his entertaining first book, it's fair to say this wasn't a highly polished affair, but that actually added to the charm.  A couple of exceptionally drunk characters at the front threatened to dominate the evening (until told to shut up by others). By the end, one was almost unconscious in his seat and was seen throwing up outside the venue later. What is the point!? But that thankfully didn't detract from Mark. He obviously has a treasured collection of audio tapes and recordings from his career with Magnum, Phil Lynott's Grand Slam, Robert Plant and Whitesnake M3 - let's hope some see the light of day officially sometime.

He was also kind enough to meet and greet afterwards, pose for photos and sign momentos. Looking forward to a full music show with his new band "Kingdom of Madness" next year.