Last Gig You Went To...

[jollyfix]

The last few days i attended the Albert Hall blues fest, not so much trad blues, all sorts really. Good time had by all i would say,long days, started at 2.00pm with the stroller. The small rooms and cafe's at the hall had small stages set up, the one place had a vinyl stall and round the corner to my delite found a guy with a hifi set up. VPI turntable, top end Moon Amp/CD/Phono stage and some large Proac's ( not sure what model).
Georgie Fame was due to play, but he was taken ill, some big band on instead. My favorite was World Party, just Mark Wallinger, a fiddle player and lead guitarist, great sound. Huey Morgan and his band played a great set in the Elgar room , and like Mark Wallinger had a great rapport with the audience.
The main hall gigs Tedeschi Trucks band, were one of the biggest surprises. I had never heard of them before, both very accomplished guitar players , nice mix of songs , top notch vocals. The only thing for me was the 2 drummers, if you have 2 drummers who both play the same thing, then the point is to have a powerful sound, they did not.
Chris Rea ok, his sound improved after the first few songs, but his set just seemed to drag, i know the guy has been ill ( stick thin), but it was all to slow, and sounded all the same, for me i would rather watch fish cry.
Robert Plant on the other hand was incredible, he was doing stuff with his voice i didn't think he could do anymore. The band were amazing, the interpretations of the many Zep songs were brilliant, north african hypnotic guitars, full on rhythm section, Hawkwind type space/ swirl noises, it just made those songs fresh again. You can see why he may be not keen to tour with Zep again, and go back to the same ole stuff, he even touched upon that whilst talking to the audience at one point. I have viewed a few bits online from that gig already, and as with every other gig i have been to, it just doesn't come across as good as it was live.
Many more acts played, some good,some great, some OK, all good ,and i and the mrs had a fab time.

[Rare Bird]

I don't do gigs anymore & im praying the wife does not want to go see anyone this year, so far i have gotten away lightly..

Thank the lord for bars at venues

[jollyfix]

My Mrs sorted out comp tickets for the whole fest, so it would have been a shame not to go. I have to say i am cream- crackered now, getting there at 1.30pm, getting home at 1.30/1.45am for a few days + a fair bit of booze too.

[Tim]

The main hall gigs Tedeschi Trucks band, were one of the biggest surprises. I had never heard of them before . . .

Album Club

I'm pretty certain this was their first appearance in the UK Dave as TTB (they are huge in the States), Derek and Susan have played here before in other guises, but this was a first for TTB - pretty special wasn't it?
If you like what you heard definitely check out the album club choice and also Susan's albums (especially Back to the River) and The Derek Trucks Band too. Derek is in the Rolling Stone top 100 guitarists, I think at number 16.

Midnight in Harlem is one of my most played songs and they nailed it on Tuesday I thought, I had goosebumps. I was near the front and the drums were loud there, in fact I could feel them from my seat . . . one of the best shows I have been to this year.



Check this out too, stunning.

[jollyfix]

Thanks Tim, i will check that album out for sure, i said to the mrs i need to get some of their stuff as soon as 'poss'. We were in a private box stage left, but towards the back by the mixing desk. The keyboard player and backing singers were great too, i loved the keyboard players flute solo.

[Tim]

Thanks Tim, i will check that album out for sure, i said to the mrs i need to get some of their stuff as soon as 'poss'. We were in a private box stage left, but towards the back by the mixing desk. The keyboard player and backing singers were great too, i loved the keyboard players flute solo.

I'm sure you are going to love them

They have a great online video channel too.

[johnB]

Tadeschi Trucks Band....like it.

Did you get to see Van The Man, Dave?

[jollyfix]

No i didn't want to see Van the Man, i like some of his music, but we almost had a fight once in a caravan backstage many years ago in London. I am not the least bit violent, he was drunk and being an Ahole, it all got a wee bit nuts, Tony the keyboard player with the saw doctors sorted it out thank god, but since then i cant stand the guy. Long story to much to go into on an open forum etc.... Almost as bad as having dinner with Bryan Ferry.

[johnB]

No i didn't want to see Van the Man, i like some of his music, but we almost had a fight once in a caravan backstage many years ago in London. I am not the least bit violent, he was drunk and being an Ahole, it all got a wee bit nuts, Tony the keyboard player with the saw doctors sorted it out thank god, but since then i cant stand the guy. Long story to much to go into on an open forum etc.... Almost as bad as having dinner with Bryan Ferry.

Sounds like a good one.....I only met him once Dave, at the Kings Hotel in Newport Gwent (there are some bootlegs of his less sober performances at that venue)...I chose not to enter in conversation as I knew his reputation and I didn't want to end up in an argument or worse with one of my musical heroes, so I chose to talk to Georgie Fame who was an absolute gent.

[sparrow]

gary Barlows touring soon Andre..