With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Just a couple today for my trip along memory lane for you down the years on top of what would have been an anniversary show tonight with Peter Bruntnell for the excellent ‘Normal for Bridgewater’..
1995, Robert Cray, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Third time for the three amigos to see the master of laid back blues, Robert Cray. Sadly for Cray all of his shows will be compared to that first time in a great gig at Hammersmith Palais. We needn’t have worried though as we take in a tour of Cray’s back catalogue.
He is a master guitarist and his honeyed blues voice complements his Fender pickin’ perfectly. Not sure there is anything else to add but catch him if you can. He has moved slightly away from straight blues and his later offerings have now a more rounded soul sound to them.
2008, Joan as Policewoman, the Borderline, London
It’s the three amigos as usual for this our first JAPW gig. She is touring her second album ‘To Survive’ but given she is only two albums in most of both albums are played.
She has such a great pure voice that’s a bit folk, a bit pop, a bit seventies Laurel Canyon with a touch of rock sass too. The albums and indeed the show are stripped back but it’s still as lush as an oasis in the musical mediocrity desert that plagues the charts.
Fine stuff.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon. Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.