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.
Another three for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2019, Katy Hurt, Green Note, London
Great artist, great intimate venue, previously reviewed here on the blog.
2012, Gary Clark Jr, Cargo, London
I have been racking my brains about this one. I remember the Gary Clark set and it was amazing from the first note to the last but I’m sure Graham and I got there for the support act who were good too. We didn’t go to Cargo that often although it’s a nice smallish room. I would say their entry policy was a little lax as we entered a couple of times without tickets being checked. Also it is attached to a bar and they don’t close the door so you can certainly enjoy the audio of any gig without buying a ticket.
This was early doors in Clark’s career and I think Blak and Blu his debut album hadn’t yet been released. This would been a couple of months after we saw him at the Springsteen show in Hyde Park in July.
I have been lucky to have seen him live a few times now including an emotional show the night after the Bataclan shooting, where he was due to play the night after. I think he is the finest young blues guy out there. His albums do not do him justice as live he has no peers. His albums have slightly moved away from pure blues but for this one it is just unadulterated electric blues at its finest. Highlights were set opening ‘When my Train pulls in’ and closer ‘Bright Lights’. Stunning stuff from the young guitar maestro.
2003, the Jayhawks w/Grand Drive, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
With Jayhawks gigs I always have to check if they were with or without Mark Olsen. This time around they are over here promoting my second favourite album of theirs ‘Rainy Day Music’. It’s a masterclass of power pop perfection and though it pains me to say it has a lovely Beatles undertow to it.
Support tonight is from South London’s finest, the much missed Grand Drive although of course Danny George is still going strong in his many guises.
No complaints with the Jayhawks and is there ever, especially when the half of the set is taken from my two favourite albums. It’s also our first chance to hear drummer Tim O’Reagan take lead vocals on the fantastic ‘Tampa to Tulsa’. Now a stalwart of the band he has also produced a fine solo album too.
So in quick summary rack this one up as another great Jayhawks show in the long list of great Jayhawks shows.
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.