Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

For many the sound of various anthems, hits, and obscurities that came their way via the beauty and inner workings of the local pub juke box, was an introduction to a memory that would inspire, stimulate, move and arouse in equal measure, and be the backdrop to the days when the world was cast in shadow; it only takes a line, a moment on the drums, a scintillating vocal, that guitar – that instrument of expression which to many a rock sound would simply not exist, for the world to make sense.

The Classic Rock Show, the fulfilling belief that a series of diverse bands and solo artists can be brought together under one banner and give an audience more than just a nudge of memory, they can set a fire of burning groove and belief again once more, especially on the back of a period of isolation…for rock really has the power to draw out the soul, it just takes one song, one electric performance to make the world less final.

A fan favourite of the Liverpool crowd, The Classic Rock Show not only deliver the wide-ranging set of classics and heroes with aplomb, and as the backbeat of Tim Brown’s drums beat out the rhythm with fury and stirring precision, so the stage is set for the return on the first of two nights inside the Philharmonic Hall, of, as the song insists, good times.

Opening the first of two sets with The Who’s Baba O’Riley, Heart’s outstanding Barracuda, and Eagles’ One Of These Nights, the discipline and groove of the evening was assured.

 With Jesse Smith, Rudy Cardenas, and Jess Harwood sharing lead vocal duties, tracks such as Rush’s seminal instrumental YYZ, Dire Straits’ Romeo and Juliet, the outstanding Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by the soon to retire from live performances Elton John, and The Beatles’ Here Comes The Sun, the pulse of the evening was as intense as a newly formed star finding its way in the universe; but one that was old and learned as time itself.

There was a certain sadness to be felt as Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain was played out, a kind of memorial of bowed heads and beating hearts to be seen visibly within the near sold-out venue as the passing of Christine McVie was honoured with passion and reminisce.

With Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall, David Bowie’s Space Oddity, Toto’s Rosanna, the exceptional beauty of Linda Ronstadt’s version of Eagles’ Desperado adding sheer grace, and the punching the air that came with the rendition of Meat Loaf’s outstanding Bat Out Of Hell in which almost to a person all stood and praised with word for word pleasure, and AC/DC’s Thunderstruck all given an urgency of appreciation to the evening, to those we have lost, and the belief of being alive, The Classic Rock Show gave their all in the name of Rock in all its guises and magnificence.

A night in which to ring in the New Year with style, with grit, determination and heat; The Classic Rock Show‘s return to Liverpool and raised the roof on 2003 and banished the blues with a performance of no nonsense enjoyment.

Ian D. Hall