Joe Bonamassa, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2009.

Joe Bonamassa shows that you can be considered a blues legend before you reach 40. The likeable and amiable singer and guitarist has played with some of the greats of the genre but he still seems to be in awe of the fact that a capacity crowd of music lovers would come and see him perform live.

He began a night of incredible music with Django from the 2006 album You and Me before going full steam into the Ballad of John Henry from this year’s album offering of the same name.

Joe Bonamassa, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(136 words, estimated 33 secs reading time)

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by the Birmingham Mail. March 2009.

Every time Hugh Cornwell plays a gig, he seems to defy age and convention with a host of great songs, either from his days as the frontman of The Stranglers or his equally long solo career.

The first part of the set was taken up with Cornwell playing his brilliant new album Hooverdam in its entirety, which included the opener Wrong Side of the Tracks and Going to the City before going into some truly memorable songs.

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(149 words, estimated 36 secs reading time)

Paul Carrack, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. February 28th 2009

Once in a while you are treated to a genuine star of the British music scene who takes your breath away.

Paul Carrack opened up a crammed and diverse set with Just A Little Lie and Stay Awake, the latter from his new album I Know That Name. Paul then went onto showcase the new album by playing some of the songs that appear on it, including It Ain’t Easy (To Love Somebody) and the brilliant song written for The Eagles on their last album I Don’t Want To Hear Anymore.

Paul Carrack, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(169 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

Go West, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published By The Birmingham Mail. February 2009.

Go West kicked off a strong night of soulful rock with their smash hit Don’t Look Down before powering through fan selected songs, including Black and Gold and the beautiful Goodbye Girl, during the first of two sets.

Despite being over 20 years older since Go West burst onto the scene, singer Peter Cox still has one of the greatest voices in music,  If anything, his strong and subtle vocals  are even better now.

Go West, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(203 words, 1 image, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Apocalyptica, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. December 2008.

With their fusion of heart-pounding riffs and solid dependable drumming, Apocalyptica have become one of the best reasons to enjoy heavy metal again.

To be able to take a decent selection of thrash kings Metallica’s music and play it note perfect on four cellos and a drum takes an awful lot of skill.  Apolcalyptica have now broadened their range with some cracking pieces of music of their own.

The Metallica tracks were covered brilliantly, especially Fight Fire With Fire and possibly Metallica’s finest song, One. Apocalyptica rounded off a genuinely enjoyable evening with the encores Enter Sandman and a fantastic version of Greig’s Mountain King.

Apocalyptica, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(119 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)

China Crisis, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. February 2009.

China Crisis stood out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s for their intelligent songs and almost whimsical lyrics which kept them in the hearts of their dedicated fans.

The duo, Eddie Lunden and Gary Daly, are two of the nicest people in pop, very laid back and happy to play to an appreciative audience.

They opened a very good set with The Soul Awakening and the ironic Best Kept Secret when Gary Daly teased the crowd by politely ordering a glass of Chardonnay to sip during the show.

China Crisis, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(169 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

Heaven 17, A.B.C., Human League, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

When three of the great pop acts of the 80’s decide to share the same bill and perform some of the decade’s more memorable hits, you can be assured of a great night out and some very pleasant memories.

Heaven 17 was given the almighty task of opening the evening coming on stage with all guns blazing with (We Don’t Need This (Facist Groove Thang, from their debut album Penthouse and Pavement. Truly some great songs followed, including Geisha Boys and Temple Girls, Let Me Go and their big hit Temptation.

Heaven 17, A.B.C., Human League, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(203 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Thunder, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

AC/DC’s Thunderstruck heralded the arrival of Thunder on stage and from that moment the audience was firmly held in an iron grip.

A loud pyrotechnic burst signalled “The Bang” but then Thunder went back to their first album and the Backstreet Symphony.  This was followed by two songs from the recently released album Bang, the tongue in cheek On The Radio and Carol Ann and finished with the perennial crowd pleaser Dirty Love which left the audience breathless.

Ian D. Hall

Permanent link to this post (90 words, estimated 22 secs reading time)

The Feeling, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

The Feeling opened with I Thought It Was Over and Fill My Little World, followed by Never Be Lonely, from the album Twelve Stops and Home for which frontman Fan Gillespie Sells split the crowd in half to help with the vocals.

There is always an element of dread when a band resorts to audience participation so early but with The Feeling it not only worked but set the standard for future gigs.

The Feeling, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(162 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. J.B’s, Dudley.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2008.

Despite playing a smaller venue than usual and not having their full lighting and screen show, Marillion thrilled a capacity crowd with their word imagery, subtle atmospheric mood changes and emotive music.

Opening quietly with Dreamy Street and the cathartic This Train Is My Life, the band gave a lesson in music appreciation to possibly rock’s most loyal fans.

They are promoting their new double album Happiness Is The Road but still delved into the wealth of older material, including Quartz and the excellent Afraid Of Sunlight, which showcased Steve Rothery’s sterling guitar work.

Marillion, Gig Review. J.B’s, Dudley. full post

(165 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)