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.
A couple of oldies today for my look back down memory lane.
1999, Gillian Welch, Dingwalls, London
This was early days in Welch’s fine career just two albums in for this show with long-time partner Dave Rawlings and of course the set is dominated by most of ‘Revival’ and ‘Hell among the Yearlings’.
So how could this gig be anything but brilliant when you have those two classic albums to draw from? Nothing specific stands out just ninety minutes of the finest country folk music around.
1994, Paul Rodgers, the Forum, London
A hastily rearrangement of this gig as on the first attempt we arrived at the venue it was plunged into darkness with a power cut. So a couple of weeks later we try again.
Whilst Rodgers had just released his Muddy Waters tribute album, this show was no solo effort. Billed as Paul Rodgers and Company. It’s essentially a Free and Bad Company greatest hits set with a few blues classics thrown in for good measure.
Rodgers arguably has the greatest white blues voice of all time and he is on top form tonight. When he has such a great back catalogue to draw from what can go wrong. Its classic after classic and just a superb blues rock show. I seem to recall some weird moments when Rodgers’s wife comes on stage for what purpose I don’t know. That anomaly aside it was a thoroughly enjoyable night and we had a little bit of Brian May on stage too for an added bonus
Don’t forget, support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.