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.
A busy day today and there’s some goodies here for my trip down memory lane for you down the years
1994, John Mayall and the Blues breakers, The Forum, London
It’s arguably the godfather of UK blues, the legend that is John Mayall. He is still knocking around aged 86 and has played with or nurtured all the great British blues players over the last fifty years.
I have no idea if he was promoting an album but it didn’t really matter as it was just a pleasure to witness one of the greats. A fine show with John and Graham as usual for this one.
2004, Sonny Landreth, Dingwalls, London
From one guitar legend to another, this time it’s Sonny Landreth, the master of the slide guitar. His fingers move quicker than the human eye as he picks his way through ninety minutes of the finest Cajun blues. This was our first time seeing Landreth and its fair to say that he absolutely blew me away with his skills and his often underappreciated voice.
We did it all over again a few months later at the same venue along with a certain Eric Clapton in the audience.
2011, Scissor Sisters, Sandown Park, Esher, England
It must be Thursday as we are down at Sandown again for a night of racing and music. When I saw this one came up I had to ask Anne if she remembered this show but to be honest we don’t. I can’t tell you who else may have been there. Looking at the setlist, they played all of the hits which is what you expect and I’m sure it was a good show but sadly specifics elude me. Notch this up to old age.
2013, ABC, Hampton Pool, London
As was the case a few years ago, every outside venue, National Trust garden, Stately home tried to tap into the burgeoning outdoor music concert scene. It was certainly a case of survival of the fittest as the market got massively saturated. Hampton Pool probably started a bit before the wave and still puts on a mini music concert series every year.
Tonight it’s ABC. These sort of events are all about knowing the audience. Its full of middle aged men and women who bought Lexicon of Love when it came out who have all turned up tonight with their picnics and wine to hear the hits. And that is exactly what you get. No frills, no obscure B-sides just all the songs you all know and love.
Its great stuff and lovely trip down memory lane. Fry’s voice is still strong and band are good. So good that I did it again at the Palladium to see the whole of Lexicon played in full.
2016, Peter Bruntnell, 100 Club, London
I reviewed this gig at the time here. We have seen Pete many times down the years both as a performer and bumping into him at other people’s gigs. He is both consistent on record as he is live and tonight is no exception. A fine show.
2017, Angaleena Presley, the Borderline, London
Another previously reviewed show here with the exceptional Ms Presley. Angaleena along with a lot of female country singers is railing against the Nashville and country radio scene which still treats women as second class citizens and continues to promote the terrible bro country rubbish like Florida Georgia Line. The real sadness here is that the quality of female country has never been higher with so many super talented artists.
Luckily for us the UK has welcomed these women into our shores and hearts and we can see these brilliant singer songwriters at small venues across the country. Often it’s the success over here that leads to wider recognition in their home lands.
It’s another first class show from one third of the supergroup Pistol Annies.
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.