Beth Hart - The Brook, Southampton 25th November 2011

With exactly one month to go until Christmas, we received a very welcome, early Christmas present in the form of the beautifully talented Beth Hart performing in the intimate surroundings of The Brook in Southampton. Beth has one of the best voices you will ever hear - one part Janice Joplin, one part Etta James, and a whole lot of soul drawn from a background that feeds both her emotionally fragile lyrics and her incredible vocal range. She was backed by a very impressive band consisting of Tom Lilly on bass, Todd Wolf on drums and Jon Nichols on guitar. For the latter it must have been daunting, knowing that Beth's most recent album is a collaboration with one of the best guitarists in the world today: Joe Bonamassa - but he put his own stamp on the songs tonight and did a magnificent job.

You cannot take your eyes off of Beth when she is on stage - whether seated behind the piano singing emotional songs like "Leave the Light On", rocking up front with the band playing "For my Friend", or telling raucous anecdotes between songs. She was totally mesmerising.  We had a number of songs from the "Don't Explain" Bonamassa collaboration including - "Sinner's Prayer", "Chocolate Jesus" and "Well, Well", along with a host of others from her back catalogue including "L.A. Song" and "My California"(which was dedicated to her road manager husband, along with the story of how they met). The night flew by and Beth looked like she was enjoying it as much as we were.

I'm sure Beth get's fed up of reading reviews that mention her past, but it makes her performance even more astonishing when you know her background: alcohol addiction from the age of 11, drugs from 15, dropped by her record company after appearing on TV looking emaciated, a jail sentence for writing false prescriptions..any one of these would be devastating to most people.  Thankfully she got into rehab and we now have one of the best blues/rock singers alive today.

If you've never heard her then do yourself a favour and go see her, buy the albums, go on YouTube, whatever it takes.. at the very least check out the footage below to see why I think that I may be a little bit in love with Mrs Hart.

NR

SAXON TO PERFORM ‘DENIM AND LEATHER’ IN ITS ENTIRETY AT LONDON’S KOKO

Due to hit the UK for a string of live shows in December, British metal greats Saxon announced a special treat for the fans attending their London date at Koko, where they will perform one of their most loved albums, Denim and Leather, in its entirety as well as Saxon classics and material from their current album Call To Arms. A mysterious special guest will also join the band on keyboards during the show.

Denim and Leather is Saxon’s fourth studio album and was released in 1981 to become a cherished classic of English heavy metal. The title track was a tribute from the band to their fans, while describing the history of the sub-culture and the rise of NWOBHM. Two of Saxon’s most successful singles, ‘Princess of the Night’ and ‘And the Bands Played on’, are featured on Denim and Leather.
Biff says “it’s the 30th Anniversary of the album and we played it at Sweden Rock and in Tokyo -it's about time we played the album once in UK before the year is over.”
Denim and Leather was the last album with the complete classic Saxon line up. These days, lead vocalist and main man Biff Byford keeps leading the pack and mesmerizing audiences with his energetic performances, joined by Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt on guitars, Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler on drums.
The rest of the UK dates see Saxon performing a mix of old unforgettable heavy metal classics and new material from their successful latest album Call to Arms, with support from Hammerfall on the entire tour.

December dates as follows:

Tues 13th Oxford 02 Academy 0844 477 2000 - www.o2academyoxford.co.uk
Wed 14th Leicester 02 Academy 0844 477 2000 - www.o2academyleicester.co.uk
Fri 16th Edinburgh Picturehouse 0844 847 1740 - www.meanfiddler.com
Sat 17th Belfast Mandela Hall 0844 277 4455 - www.qubsu-ents.com
Mon 19th Sheffield 02 Academy 0844 477 2000 - www.o2academysheffield.co.uk
Tues 20th London Koko 0844 477 1000 - www.koko.uk.com/

Tickets are priced at £18.50 for all shows except London where they are £20.00 and are subject to booking fee. Doors open for all shows at 7.00pm except Edinburgh 6.30pm

Nigel Glockler - Exclusive Interview

Rockgig have been blessed again with the opportunity to ask Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler a few questions.

RG. What does 2012 hold for the band?
 

NG. Firstly, we're taking a break!!! - it's been a very heavy year touring-wise so i'm going off the radar in January - beside i've got the Namm show to visit. Then i guess we'll be looking at some more touring - i think there's a possibility of some more South American shows in countries we missed last time - also, we'll start collating ideas for the next album during the year - then of course we hit 'Festival Season".


We'd really like to get on a package and go back to the US too. Everything's in the planning stage at the moment.

RG. How did the recent US tour go?

NG. We were extremely pleased with the reception over there - we usually just play Texas and New York so it was fantastic to test the waters in other areas and get such a positive reaction! As I said in the previous answer, we'd love to get on a big package and go back over there to play larger venues and visit more cities.

RG. Call To Arms has been critically acclaimed is that how you see success in 2011 as cd sales continue to dwindle?

NG. The album's selling very well - both in cd form and as a download - more and more people prefer downloads it seems - i guess they can load the songs straight onto their mp3 players.,Ipods etc. The album reviews have been brilliant generally - yep, we're very happy with the way it's been received, on both sides of the pond!

RG. Will you do the soundcheck experience for the Christmas shows after the success of the April dates?

NG. As far as I know, there aren't any plans to do this on these forthcoming shows. If there's any change I'll let you know.

RG. You played 4 songs from The Call to Arms CD on the April Tour Will we hear anymore songs from it on this tour? - www.Rockgig.co.uk particularly like Chasing the Bullet

NG. We were actually playing more stuff from the album on the US/South American tour so I think we'll probably keep them all in for this leg of the world tour - and we like playing Chasing The Bullet too!!

RG.. Who picks the setlist for each night and do you try to rotate it?

NG. We try to keep the setlist pretty constant every gig, although we might throw in the odd change here and there - generally, the new songs stay in because that's the reason a band tours - to showcase the new tracks - so some of the old favourites get chopped about.

RG. Do you prefer your music as a download or a cd?

NG. Personally i like to actually have the physical copy of the cd in my hand - I like to read the sleeve notes etc, know who's played what, and so on, but i know a lot of people prefer downloads and don't want the hassle of having to store a load of cds. I think the download thing is fine if you only want one or two tracks off an album - that's when I download songs but, as I said, if I want a whole album, I'll buy the cd- then I'll load it into my itunes and have it on my computer for loading into a personal player.

Rockgig would like to say a big thank you to Nigel for his time in answering the questions.

Saxon are on tour in December.

13 December Oxford O2 Academy
14 December Leicester O2 Academy
16 December Edinburgh Picturehouse
17 December Belfast Mandela Hall
19 December Sheffield O2 Academy
20 December London Koko

Rockgig hope to bring you reviews from both the Oxford and Sheffield shows.
NH

LIONSEX UK Tour December 2011

After unleashing their wild no-boundaries rock’n’roll to press and industry in a successful London’s showcase, Milton Keynes sleazier beasts LIONSEX are ready to hit the UK with a string of live dates.

The tour, starting on December 1st, supports the release of their debut album ‘Get It’, in all record stores and digital outlets on Roar Power/Universal on 21st November; the album was recorded in Wales with producer/engineer Matthew Bond and mixed at Nott-in-Pill Studios in Newport by Jeff Rose and Martin ‘Ginge’ Ford (Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, Skindred).
Jef Leppard, JJ Lyons, Davy Lyonz, Matt Von Kouga and Jakk Vanity have been taking their decadent rock 'n' roll across the UK and beyond, building a growing fan base thanks to unforgettable live shows and a down-to-Earth, fun loving attitude. Unafraid to mesh their Seattle sound with Sunset Strip make-up and hairdos, Leppard & Co. are ready to be crowned Kings of the jungle by sticking to play what they like and being who they are.
Blending the sound and attitude of classics from Marilyn Manson and 69 Eyes to Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue, with more than a hint of Pearl Jam and a vibrant modern edge, Lionsex are a new reality to be reckoned with on the throbbing UK scene.
Catch them live roaring in a venue near you in December...

Thurs 1st Wakefield Snooty Fox FREE 01924 782 929 http://snootyfoxlive.com

Fri 2nd Crumlin Patriot FREE 07810563855 http://patriotpub.webs.com/whatsonfridays.htm
Sat 3rd Neath The Duke FREE 01639 643892 http://www.myspace.com/thedukeneath
Sun 4th London Purple Turtle £5.00 020 7383 4976 http://www.purpleturtlecamden.co.uk/
Mon 5th Sheffield Dove & Rainbow FREE 0114 272 1594http://www.doveandrainbow.com/
Wed 7th Manchester Retro Bar £3.00 0871 230 1101 http://www.retrobarmcr.co.uk/
Fri 9th Milton Keynes Crauford Arms TBC 01908 313 864
Sun 11th London Intrepid Fox TBC 020 7836 8956 http://www.myspace.com/intrepidfox
Mon 12th Braunton The Aggi £3.00 01271 817980 http://www.myspace.com/theaggi
Wed 14th Rhondda The Hotel £3.00 01443 682388 http://rhonddahotel.com/
Thurs 15th Birmingham Hare & Hound £3.00 0121 4442081http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/contact/

Fri 16th Coleford Magnums Night Club FREE 01594 833113
Sat 17th Wigan Fuzzbox FREE 01942 665415 http://www.myspace.com/thefuzzboxwigan
Sun 18th Durham Live Lounge £6.00 0191 383 1387 http://www.durhamlive.co.uk/
Mon 19th Brighton Hydrant £3.00 01273 608 313 http://thehydrantbrighton.co.uk/
Fri 23rd Bedford Esquires £5.00 01234 340120 http://www.bedfordesquires.com

LIONSEX – GET IT

This CD was recorded in 2009 but for some reason (or reasons) that I don’t know has only just been published. Hailing from Milton Keynes this band are certainly a colourful bunch.

So is there any substance behind all that glam? Well I think there is, the CD starts with three good standard rock songs Get It, MIA and Too Good before moving up a notch with Smoking Out the Neighbourhood. The quality remains, but there is a change of pace with Nobody Said it Would be Easy, a potential single if such things still exist.  Next up is my stand out track Midnight. Track 7 takes us on an interesting trip to Rip Off Britain, I would imagine that it could be good live track and echoes a lot of what we are all feeling at the moment. In a similar vain Used to Be is another well structured song with a catchy chorus, before we board the Rocket 2ur Heart a song at a faster pace. Finally we have a real turn of pace as we slow down for Brining Back the Heartache which slowly builds into a great guitar finish.

At just under 37 minutes it’s not going to be the longest CD you’ll ever own, but you can be assured that Lionsex are a band who know how to rock and can deliver a catchy song that you’ll soon be singing along to.

I’m looking forward to seeing them deliver these songs in a live environment
NH

GMT – Idle Creep Bradford Rios 11 November 2011

First of all credit to the girl behind the bar for saying the lager was flat and letting us change our pint. Well done.

The night opened with young local band Idle Creep, I’ll be honest when they started I thought it wasn’t going to be much good, but in the end they put on an enjoyable show that went down well and we also had three cheers for the late and great Yorkshire legend Sir Jimmy Saville. Well done Idle Creep, all the best for the future.

GMT gave us a set with a large number of new songs, and they all seemed good material on the first time of hearing. Mixed into the set we had songs from the Evil Twin and Bitter and Twisted CDs including. Bullet in the Brain, Wheel of Fortune, Rocky Road, Can’t Beat Rock ‘n’ Roll and set closer Cannonball. For encores we had a couple of songs I’d not heard the band play live before The Humours of Mr McCoy from Evil Twin and Larry Williams’s Bony Maronie.

As always the band were on top form - guitar heroics by Bernie Tormé, driving bass from John McCoy and another entertaining display from Robin Guy on Drums. Hopefully 2012 will provide us with a new studio CD and more great live shows.
NH

Within Temptation - Brixton Academy - 11.11.11

New venue for us this one and the queue went way round the block for this show that had been sold out for months and delayed due to the new arrival in the WT family.

Sat upstairs in the circle we had a great view of the support artist Anneke van Giersbergen and her 4 piece group who played a 30 minute 6 song set.


Ex-vocalist of The Gathering she went down well to the large crowd.  We had an old "Gathering" tune in the shape of "Satumine" and the new single "Feel Alive" and the ballad "You Want To Be Free" gave her a real chance to show off her vocal talents.


Guitars were a little jangly but the crowd lapped it up.


After having a ticket for 18 months the sold out crowd were more than ready and as the short film to "Mother Maiden" came up on the large screens at the back the place went mad.


In support of the quite monumental "The Unforgiven" cd tonight was a masterclass in the live show.  Fantastic sound, superb screens showing videos and assorted effects and featuring the most incredible light show seen in a long while they really couldn't fail


Led by the angelic voice of Sharon den Adel through 8 songs from the aforementioned cd it was hit after hit.


This is what they played:


Mother Maiden (Short Movie)
Shot In The Dark
In The Middle Of The Night
Faster
Fire And Ice
Ice Queen
The Howling
Our Solemn Hour
Stand My Ground
Sinead (Short Movie)
Sinead
What Have You Done
Iron Angels
Where Is The Edge
Encores of
See Who I Am
Mother Earth
Stairway To The Skies


Interspersed with old favourites with the mass sing along of "What Have You Done", the Churchill led speech of "Our Solemn Hour" and the wonderful vocal led "Angels" the only down was only a 95 minute set that all concerned would have been happy to have gone on for way longer.


Ably backed by Martijn Spierenburg on keys, Jeroen van Veen on bass, new drummer Mike Coolen, Ruud Jolie on guitar and very new live guitarist Stefan Helleblad, Sharon led from the front with her vocals hitting the stratosphere and Ruud's always melodic solo's just adding to the all enveloping sound.


I really could go on forever.  Most of the gig is on youtube so go on and have a look.


Expected back in the UK next summer their stay will only continue to soar and surely it is only a matter of time before they hit arena's like they do on the continent.


Wonderful evening!


ME & Shazz


12/10

Voodoo Six - UK Tour reminder

The UK tour starts in just over 2 weeks time, the first date is 17th November. If you haven't got tickets yet please click here for more information and ticket links Tour

The single 'Falling Knives' will be released on 7th November. The full

 EP will be released on 28th November entitled 'Falling Knives'. 

 It will feature three brand new tracks, 'Falling Knives', 'Sharp Sand', and 'Stop', as well as three re-worked and re-recorded versions of tracks from their debut album ‘First Hit For Free’, featuring the driving influence of Luke’s illustrious, raunchy vocals.
You can pre order the EP by clicking this link - iTunes

They are shooting a video for the title track this coming Sunday so it will be available to view before the tour begins.


www.voodoosix.com   V6 Facebook

© Voodoo Six 

Fiona – Unbroken (Life on the Moon / Retrospect records)

It’s been a very long time since I have awaited an album’s arrival with such joyful anticipation – Rush’s Power Windows album (some of which I inadvertently heard being rehearsed) probably being the last occasion, back in ’85. 

Coincidentally, 1985 was also the year that a certain young lady from New Jersey first came to my attention. The centrefold of Kerrang! #92 from April of that year introduced her as Fiona Flanagan – and on the strength of that article I purchased her debut album and instantly became a fan.  

It’s still hard to believe that almost 20 years have passed since Fiona’s last release – the quite magnificent “Squeeze” from April 1992 – but Unbroken presents an almost seamless continuation. Its roots, to some extent, remain in the ‘80’s, but this is clearly feel-good, melodic rock that does not sound at all dated. Fiona’s collaboration with Robin Beck’s backroom team, as well as some other well-known writers and musicians, has proved to be a masterstroke in creating a wonderful comeback.  

From its boisterous, radio-friendly opening number “Loved Along the Way” (which in old money would surely have been the lead single) through to the soaring power ballad “Everything You Are” that rounds things off, every song is an absolute winner. James Christian’s production is simply first class, the musicianship is fantastic and Fiona’s vocals are stronger than ever! 

Other notable gems include the lively “Broken; a solid rendition of the Pat Benatar standard “Shadows of the Night”; a rousing anthem in “Badge of Love”; the good humoured “I Love You but Shut Up!” and the mighty fine Fiona / Robin Beck duet, “This Heart”.  

I understand that fan power played a significant part in inspiring Fiona to record some new music. With product this good, I sincerely hope that Unbroken signals a new dawn, and that this talented and very endearing lady will continue to delight us with many more releases. 

This review was slightly delayed until my signed and personally dedicated copy of the CD had arrived from the US, but it was absolutely worth waiting for. Unbroken totally exceeded my expectations and enabled me, after so many years, to rekindle my love affair with the girl from New Jersey.  

Fiona is most definitely back – and better than ever! Let the good times roll! 

20/10 

Red Hound 

GMT November Tour

GMT LIVE ON TOUR!


Bernie Torme - John McCoy - Robin Guy

Thu 3 Nov Diamond Mansfield
Fri 4 Nov Railway Music Venue Bolton
Sat 5 Nov The West Park Hotel Harrogate
Thu 10 Nov Boston Music Rooms Boston Arms - Tufnell Pk-London
Fri 11 Nov Rio's Bradford
Sat 12 Nov Yardbirds Grimsby

Rock gig will be going to the Bradford show and a review will appear soon.
NH

LionSex - Get It - Released 21st November

A Leppard, two Lions, a Tiger and ten pieces of raw rock’n’roll: get ready to go wild with LionSex’s debut album ‘Get It’, in all record stores and digital outlets on Roar Power/Universal on 21st November! Jef Leppard, JJ Lyons, Davy Lions, Tommy Tigers and Jakk Vanity have been grinding their nails to leave no one unscathed.

Preceded by single ‘Nobody Said It Was Gonna Be Easy’, unleashed to the world in October, ‘Get It’ brings the Milton Keynes four-piece to everyone’s attention; LionSex blend the sound and attitude of classics from Marilyn Manson and 69 Eyes to Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue, with more than a hint of Pearl Jam and a vibrant modern edge, to make them a new reality to be reckoned with on the throbbing UK scene.
‘Get It’ was recorded in Wales with producer/engineer Matthew Bond and mixed at Nott-in-Pill Studios in Newport by Jeff Rose and Martin ‘Ginge’ Ford. With Bullet for my Valentine’s first three albums and modern classics like Trivium and Skindred under their belt, this top team has brought LionSex’ sleazy Stadium Rock alive.
LionSex have been taking their decadent rock 'n' roll across the UK and beyond, building a growing fan base thanks to their unforgettable live shows and their down-to-Earth, fun loving attitude. Unafraid to mesh their Seattle sound with Sunset Strip make-up and hairdos, Leppard & Co. are ready to be crowned Kings of the jungle by sticking to play what they like and being who they are, no boundaries.

Tracklist as follows:
1.Get It
2. M.I.A.
3. Too Good
4. Smokin’ Out The Neighbourhood
5. Nobody said it was gonna be easy
6. Midnight
7. Rip-off Britain
8. Used to be
9. Rocket 2 Ur Heart
10. Bringing back the Heartache

LionSex- Get It - out on 21st November
Cat number: ROARCD1

View Used To Be video here
NH

Joanne Shaw Taylor - November UK Tour

NOVEMBER 2011 UK TOUR
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0871 230 1101
www.seetickets.com - www.thegigcartel.com

Following her critically acclaimed UK tour in May 2011, due to popular demand, blues rock guitarist and singer, Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to the UK in November to undertake a 10-date tour that starts at the Buxton Pavilion Arts Theatre on Tuesday November 15th.

Originally discovered by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) as a guitar prodigy at the age of 16,
Joanne will perform music from her debut album White Sugar, and her 2010 follow-upDiamonds in the Dirt.  Joanne is fast becoming a rising star on the international blues circuit. She was named “Best British Female Vocalist of the Year” at the British Blues Awards 2010.

Celebrated by Classic Rock magazine, Taylor also received a Best New Artist Debut nomination at the British Blues Awards for her debut album White Sugar.

Taylor's latest album, Diamonds in the Dirt sees her reunited her with Grammy-winning producer Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan) along with the same team responsible for the success of her White Sugar debut album.

Recorded at Gaines' Bessie Blue Studios in rural Tennessee, Diamonds in the Dirt begins with the unexpected sound of a lone acoustic guitar but soon shifts into overdrive, becoming a dizzying display of frenetic, full-throttle electric power. Taylor recently moved to Detroit, Michigan, and attributes the heavy sound of Diamonds in the Dirt to her new musical environment – a place immortalized in song as Detroit Rock City.

"There's a lot of incredible bands and musicians in Detroit," says Taylor.  “It’s given me new inspiration and been part of the reason for the slightly heavier sound on the Diamonds album."

Songs like Can't Keep Living Like This and Have Mercy showcase a remarkable range of dynamics. Taylor and her tight, two-piece rhythm section build gradually upon solid, riff-driven grooves. When the moment comes, the guitarist launches into one of her incendiary solos. On Have Mercy, Taylor, drummer Steve Potts and bassist Dave Smith explode together in a breathtaking climax.

The title track Diamonds in the Dirt is a song about the process of emotional recovery, and shows Taylor’s softer, more melodic qualities of her singing and playing, as well as her willingness to reveal and heal. "Writing, for me, is very personal," says Taylor. "All the songs on this album are autobiographical. It's basically a chance to put thoughts and fears to paper."

As tempting as it was to try and repeat the success of White Sugar, so much has changed in Taylor's life since then. Diamonds in the Dirt is a fitting step forward. "I wanted an album that showed my growth as a musician and person,” concludes Taylor. “I think Diamonds in the Dirt is a good snapshot of where I am right now as an artist and a good memoir of the past two years."

NOVEMBER 2011 UK TOUR
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0871 230 1101
www.seetickets.com - www.thegigcartel.com

Tuesday 15th November
Buxton, Pavilion Arts CentreTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN

Wednesday 16th November
Islington, O2 AcademyTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.o2academyislington.co.uk
N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, Islington, London, N1 0PS

Thursday 17th November
Bristol, The TunnelsTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 0845 6050255
www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk
Temple Meads, Bristol, City of Bristol BS1 6QS

Friday 18th November
Exeter, PhoenixTickets: £15.50 / Box Office: 01392 667080
www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS

Saturday 19th November
Falmouth, Princess PavilionTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01326 211222
www.carrickleisureservices.org.uk
41 Melvill Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4AR

Tuesday 22nd November
Wolverhampton, Robin 2
Tickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01902 401211
www.therobin.co.uk
26-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV14 7LJ

Wednesday 23rd November
Glasgow, O2 ABCTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk
330 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JB

Thursday 24th November
St Helens, CitadelTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01744 735436
www.citadel.org.uk
Waterloo Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1PX

Friday 25th November
Huddersfield, Lawrence Batley TheatreTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01484 430528
www.thelbt.org
Queen's Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP

Saturday 26th November
York, FibbersTickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01904 651250
www.fibbers.co.uk
The Stonebow, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7NP

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Official Website
www.joanneshawtaylor.com

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Facebook
www.facebook.com/Joanne-Shaw-Taylor

Black Country Communion Live Over Europe dvd review

Live Over Europe is the culmination of the last 2 years from meeting, recording 2 cd's and a string of live dates from one of rock's finest supergroup's.
Recorded over 3 nights this past summer in Hamburg,Munich and Berlin using 14 HD cameras and 5.1 surround sound and captured wonderfully by producer Kevin Shirley over the course of 100 minutes showing everyone lucky enough to see them the rock powerhouse that they have become.
The setlist they play is as follows

Revolution Of The Machine(intro)
Black Country
One Last Soul
Crossfire
Save Me
The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
Beggarman
Faithless
Song Of Yesterday
I Can See Your Spirit
Cold
The Ballad Of John Henry
The Outsider
The Great Divide
Sista Jane
Encores of
Man In The Middle
Burn
Smokestack Woman (studio version is played over the credits)

I have been lucky enough to have seen BCC in the flesh twice, including the legendary John Henry first album release show, so know how special this band are live.
This live documentation only adds to the appeal.
You forget what a good bass player Glenn Hughes is as he is always remembered as "The Voice" but on here he shines on both scores. Although maybe just too many gurns at the camera are shown!!
Jason Bonham pounds away at the back like only a man with his genes can. His fills add so much more and he drives the band to even greater heights.
Derek Sherinian adds to the soundscape and knows when to come to the fore only adding to the huge sound.
And it's great to see Joe Bonamassa rocking out and focusing only on his guitar playing. which is just off the scale. Although he does let Hughes have a breather on the sublime "Song Of Yesterday" and "The Ballad Of John Henry" and does a  wonderful job. In fact during both songs the band interplay and sheer musical dexterity shown is wonderful.
All the songs off  "2" grow in the live arena and show how the band have developed over the course of their 2 cd's and I for one look forward to more.
Finishing off the package are a 20 minute feature on the making of the dvd and 2 photo collections, one from the road and one showing behind the scenes footage.

A great package which finishes off the 2 year plan and we all look forward to hearing what is next for this wonderful band.

ME

Symphony X Islington Academy 26th October 2011

First up were D.G.M. who I hadn't heard of until I saw they were here and after a bit of looking found an Italian progressive power metal band who have been around since the mid 90's originally as an instrumental band only.
Over their last couple of cd's they have built a strong reputation as a live and studio band. And over 45 minutes did nothing to dent that. In fact I suggest they picked up quite a few fans from this evening.
Led by Mark Basile on vocals they led us through 8 songs all from their 2009 "Frame" cd. Soaring vocals and some stunning guitar and keyboard interplay from Simone Mularoni (guitar)and Emanuele Casali (keyboards) were at the forefront of it all with Fabio Constantino (drums) and Andrea Arcangeli (bass) laying it all down at the back.
The band on their first visit to London had a ball and were received very well by the size able crowd.
A great warm up but all present were looking forward to Symphony X's second London show this year.I saw them support Dream Theater back in 2007 and after this years quite magnificent "Iconoclast" cd the anticipation was high.
No one was disappointed over the course of the next 95 minutes they showed why they are right at the top of the progressive metal ladder.
This is what they played:

• Iconoclast
• The End Of Innocence
• Dehumanized
• Bastards Of The Machine
• Electric Messiah
• When All Is Lost
• Children Of A Faceless God
• Heretic
• Inferno(Unleash The Fire)
• Of Sins And Shadows
• Encores of 
• Eve Of Seduction
• Serpents Kiss
• Set The World On Fire(The Lie Of Lies)

Not many bands can go straight into a 10 minute song and follow it with another 7 more off the new cd(only Prometheus I Am Alive not being played) but we got that tonight. In fact I wouldn't have minded if we had had all 13 tracks from the limited edition version!!
The crowd response was as loud as I have ever heard this place.
Time changes a plenty, guitar and keyboard interplay, soaring vocals, screaming guitars and a bordering on thrash at times drumming all top notch.Michael LePond (bass), Jason Rulla (drums) and Michael Pinella (keyboards) tie down an enormous groove leaving Michael Romeo on guitar the chance to riff and solo at his will and at times his speed and technique was amazing but never missing the chance to remain quite melodic amongst this wall of sound.
Last but by no means least is one of the best frontmen on the planet. Russell Allen is the consummate entertainer. Possessing an enormous voice, quite Dioesque at times, he roams the stage always asking more from the crowd which he and the band feed off.
During the one slower song of the night "When All Is Lost" it gave Russell Allen a chance to show off his voice to great effect and great melodic solo from Romeo too. Brilliant.
Finishing with 5 older classics with a a quite superb Set The World On Fire when they were joined by D.G.M. on backing vocals and assorted drumming for and end of tour love in!!
Fantastic night out.
That's what I love about this genre of music we love.
3 gigs in 6 nights all totally different but all superb in their own right.

ME 10/10

Just to thank the controller of the London transport system for closing Hanger Lane tunnel and then more roadworks a mile up the road at Perivale. In 75 minutes I did about 2 miles.
SIR/MADAM YOU ARE A TOSSER!!!!!!!!!!