We have a date 21st June. That means another ten or so gigs that will either be cancelled or postponed some for the third time. So cautious optimism is the watch word here. Given that the summer months are usually a little quieter the autumn could be crazy for gigs if things get back to normal. So with everything crossed let’s hope there is real light at the end of this horribly long tunnel.
When I first started this little exercise we were a month into lockdown on the 24th April. Like most of you I expected this to last a month or two. The reality now is clear and sadly it will be a full twelve months and probably a lot more between my last gig and the next one. We go again and hopefully this brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Three of the best today for my look back down memory lane.
2015, JJ Grey and Mofro, Islington Academy, London
A great slice of country soulful blues with these guys tonight. All reviewed here at the time. It’s a shame that they have been a bit quiet over recent years as they are a very good band.
2006, the Black Crowes, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
The Black Crowes are often accused of being self-indulgent and indeed we have seen a couple of those show but when they are good they are very good. Luckily tonight is one of those nights. It’s a long show with two sets and if so inclined you could buy the audio of the show about thirty minutes later on CD.
With no album to promote this was sort of a comeback tour after a few years of hiatus. So it’s almost a greatest hits set culled mainly from the first three albums. If I am being super picky I would have liked more from Southern Harmony but hey that classic album opening of Sting Me and Remedy are played and it’s worth the entrance fee alone for those two tracks. Add a bit of Jealous Again and Thorn in my Pride and a dash of Neil Young and it’s a brilliant night.
When these guys are on form they have no peers in that southern rock style. Sadly the next time we saw them at the Forum it wasn’t so memorable as it seemed like they were dialling it in.
1992, Andrew Strong, Brixton Academy, London
Andrew Strong, who he I hear you say. If I said he was the long haired singer in the Alan Parker film ‘The Commitment’s it should ring a bell. Riding the success of the film Strong branched out solo. Of course the set is a whole bunch of sixties soul covers and why not. I was obsessed with the film at the time so after seeing him and some of the Commitments a couple of months before we did it all over again. I reviewed than Jan show here and there’s nothing much to add really apart from on the outside this looks like a wasted talent never truly realised, the David Bentley of soul.
That’s it for today so don’t forget, support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.