Scouting For Girls - Wednesday 29th November - G-Live, Guildford

Brief review:  Following Feastyfest, this is our 2nd Scouting For Girls show of the year. With the tour extended until late 2024 in support of their new album, there should be a couple of new songs in amongst the hits. Standing for this one - it's pretty busy and lively. A cover of Baby It's Cold Outside wouldn't be amiss in the circumstances!

As it turns out the band are on top form and the new songs are decent too. Jamie O'Gorman, the regular guitarist, is back in the fold for this leg of the tour.

Venue and View:  Far right hand side, near the front door.

Setlist
The Missing Part
This Ain't a Love Song
Famous
Love How It Hurts
The Place We Used to Meet
I Wish I Was James Bond
I'm Not Over You / It's Not About You
The Luckiest Boy in the World
1+1 
Posh Girls
Heartbeat
Song I Can't Forget
Elvis Ain't Dead / Can't Help Falling in Love
Glow 
+
Michaela Strachan
She's So Lovely

Robert Hart's Bad Company Experience - Wednesday 22nd November - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  One of London's classic rock venues for a classic rock band (caveat - mk 3 of the band with 2 members from that era). Bad Company with Robert Hart and Dave "Bucket" Colwell, effectively covering for Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs - both are called out in positive ways. Sold out, loud and excellent. They are back next year, as shall we. Some would say that we Can't Get Enough.

Venue and View:  Left hand side, standing.

Conterfeit Quo - Sunday 18th November - Cheam Social Club

Brief review:  Status Quo tribute (Counterfeit Quo) at CSC. We saw them in Banstead a while back - glad to report that it is busier this evening. A nice stack of Marshall amps as the backline - I wonder if they’d mind me borrowing one. Interestingly, the "Francis" we saw last time seems to have switched to bass.

Venue and View:  Table - central, towards the back.

The Cream of Hendrix - Friday 17th November - Hampton Hub

Brief review:  Something of a 3rd choice this evening. Tickets were booked for Johnny Warman’s Who show in Sutton. Cancelled at late notice. Alternative lined up with The Steve Whalley Band at the Sound Lounge - also in Sutton. Cancelled. 

So, it’s off to a new venue for me - the Hampton Hub Club  (in errr… Hampton) for “The Cream of Hendrix” tribute. Set 1 is all Cream. Set 2, Jimi Hendrix. And guess what? It is excellent so far - much better than any later choice should be classified. Nice venue too.

Venue and View:  Front right, at the side on bench seating.

Setlist

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
+
God Gave Rock and Roll to You

Rhino's Revenge - Sunday 29th October - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  Status Quo's John "Rhino" Edwards, ably backed by Leon Cave (Status Quo) and Craig Joiner (Romeo's Daughter). A 3pm start is not ideal, but this is the second Half Moon show running where Rhino has opted for a matinee slot - maybe it suits the friends and family in the audience,

The set was reasonably familiar and none the worse for it, but did include 3-4 tracks from his upcoming album. All sounded fine.

Venue and View:  Right hand side - a few rows back towards the entrance.

Cavern Beatles - Friday 27th October - Cavern Club, Liverpool

Brief review:  3 sets from the resident Beatles tribute band at World famous venue. Musically and vocally spot on!

Interestingly, they didn't appear to play anything that the Beatles hadn't done live themselves, so a lack of Hey Jude, All You Need Is Love etc

Venue and View:  Raised platform on left near bar.

Billy Joel - Friday 20th October - Madison Square Garden, New York

Brief review:  Good Evening New York City. We are here for Billy Joel’s 141st show at the iconic venue. The current 10 year residency comes to an end next July, hence the accelerated plans to be here as each show sells our almost immediately. And it was worth the effort with Billy in fine voice and entertaining the crowd with some amusing asides. Surprisingly no special star guests, but a solid set of largely fan favourites.

Venue and View:  On the floor, front block, 20 row back. Decent view and sound. Outrageous drinks prices as expected.

Setlist
Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
My Life [with Ode to Joy Intro]
Addams Family Theme Song [Snippet]
The Entertainer
The Downeaster "Alexa"
Funeral March of a Marionette / The Munsters' Theme / Monster Mash [Snippets]
Zanzibar
Start Me Up [Snippet]
An Innocent Man
So Much in Love / Barbara Ann / Rockin' Robin [Snippets]
The Longest Time
Piano Sonata no. 2 in  B♭ minor, op. 35 [Snippet]
Vienna
Half a Mile Away
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
New York State of Mind
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Always a Woman [with Syd Ruggles on flute]
Allentown
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams [with “River Deep Mountain High” interlude]
Nessun Dorma
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
+
We Didn't Start the Fire
Uptown Girl
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
Big Shot
You May Be Right [with "Rock and Roll" interlude]

Slady - Sunday 15 October - Boogaloo, Highgate

Brief review:  This show was moved from a paid event at the Dublin Castle - cancelled without explanation by the promotor. The first part of the show was an author being interviewed about his new Slade book - I was very impressed by how bassist Wendy effortlessly took on the interviewer role. Then a slimmed down Slady (Dani, Wendy and "their friend Stan" David Woodcock) played an acoustic set. Excellent as always and the bands love of the material clearer showed through.

Venue and View:  Seated front-right

Setlist
Cum On Feel The Noize
Look Wot You Dun
Cox I Luv You
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Wonderin' Y
When The Lights Are Out
Know Who You Are
Dapple Rose
Far Far Away
Everyday
Gudbuy T'Jane
Get Down and Get With It

Pat McManus - Wednesday October 4th - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  The man known as "the Professor", Irish guitar genius Pat McManus again graces the Half Moon. Playing a range of material from across his career, there is a focus on many of the highlights from his time in the Mamas Boys. Fitting tributes were also played to lost friends including Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore

Venue and View:  Front left, seated.