We have a date 21st June for normality we hope and the end of socially distancing at a gig. I have my first gig pencilled in for 7th June a seated affair at the Jazz Café to hopefully set up the rest of the year. I have still have about half a dozen 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.
Just a quick catch up today with a couple of shows today for my look back down memory lane.
2013, the Rockingbirds, the Borderline, London
After an eighteen year gap the Rockingbirds finally followed up their second album with the ‘The Return of the Rockingbirds’. The old gang are back together and are as good as they’ve always been.
Most if not all of the new album is played and on first listen I thought it’s got some good tunes. Of course the oldies are brilliant and I don’t need to explain how many good nights we have had with these guys down the years. Much singing and dancing ensue and we couldn’t let these guys leave until they played my favourite crowd pleaser ‘Jonathan’ which wasn’t on the setlist but provides John and me an excuse not that an excuse is needed to go a little bit crazy as usual for this track. (PS video below is their brand new single)
1997, Joe Louis Walker, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
My first time out for the great JLW. It’s an oldie from nearly twenty five years ago. I can’t find a set list but guessing it was the ‘Great Guitar’ album tour. That aside there were tracks from across his earlier albums so it’s great to hear stuff from JLW/Blues Survivor and Blue Soul. Specialising in that smooth soul tinged Blues with a very clean sound like Robert Cray.
Its superb stuff and have had the pleasure of seeing him again relatively recently and he’s still got those licks.
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.