Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Boom Boom Club Sutton - 18 Nov 2007

Boom Boom Club Sutton - 18 Nov 2007

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc
  

Set List (incomplete and maybe not in the right order)
Set 1
Road Runner
Rock around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag
Crying in the rain
Breathless

Set 2
That is Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
A Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day
Country Boy
Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Met up with Jilly and Sarah and we enjoyed the band's last gig of the year. I would have enjoyed the gig even more if I hadn't caught that bloody cold some days back which almost knocked me out on the road. Unfortunately it had become even worse as the night before I had to wait in the draughty foyer of the Mick Jagger Centre Dartford. I should have stayed in bed but as it was the last gig in 2007 I decided to be there and make the best of it with a little help of strong medication. The place was sold-out, and the band were brilliant. A little downer were a handful of drunken people who stood next to us and tried to spoil it by pushing with their elbows and talking loud into the music.
Later it was time t say bye-bye to Sue and the boys, and the icing on the cake for me was that I got my "Crossroads" programme personalized by Albert.

Albert Lee Hogan's Heroes, The Mick Jagger Centre Dartford - 17 Nov 2007

Mick Jagger Centre Dartford

About the venue:
The Mick Jagger Centre is performing arts venue in Dartford, England. It is on the site of Dartford Grammar School but is also open to the local community, and is named after the Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger who was a student at the school. It has two main stages and holds theatre workshops in the summer. The centre cost £2.25m, and was funded by a National Lottery grant of £1.7m with a further contribution from Jagger himself. Construction on the arena started in 1998 and it was opened in March 2000 by the Duke of Kent and Jagger. At its opening, Jagger was persuaded by a student to sign the wall of one of the new music classrooms with 'I was here,' which he did so, the memento still being displayed today.

My review:
Dartford - home of two well-known guys belonging to 'The greatest rock'n roll band in the world' ... you know who. Met up with Sarah and both of us were not too enthusiastic about the venue despite the promising name. The entrance hall was ,draughty which made my awful cold even worse. My photos turned out rubbish due to the poor lighting. Also, there was a pit between barrier and stage. Nevertheless, the gig was fantastic. As it was the Kent area, Albert had lots of friends and family around, among them his old friend and webmaster Phil Hadler as well as an old neighbour from his Blackheath time. I didn't hang on too long and rather went back to my warm and cozy hotel to cure my bad cold.

The last gig of the year took place at Boom Boom Club in Sutton next day a venue I always liked.

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc


Set List (not complete and not always in the right order)
Road Runner
Rock Around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag 
Only with you  Till I gain control again
Breathless
Set 2
That is Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
A Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, The New Bull & Butcher Whetstone - 16 Nov 2007

The New Bull & Butcher, Whetstone 

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc

Driving down from Birkenhead to the London area after a day off which I spent in Barnet in a private B&B after consuming tons of medicinal products to beat my cold. The result was not very satisfying but I pulled myself together not to miss out the gig.

The Bull & Butcher, a nice pub with a spacy backroom was close to my stay. This was another gig organized by Pete Feenstra and I met up with Sarah again and both of us had a great time.

I was surprised when the band played ONE WAY RIDER for me as it was my birthday the day before. Albert told the crowd that I would come over every weekend to see the band play which was a tad exaggerated but very nice. After some chats I returned to my stay to cure my cold (but it should become even worse ...). Next day there was a gig in Dartford waiting for me.


No photo album this time, just a few poor pics here.
Set List (not complete and not always in the right order)
Road Runner
Rock Around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag 
Till I gain control again
Breathless

Set 2
That is Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
A Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Pacific Arts Centre Birkenhead - 13 Nov 2007

Pacific Arts Centre, Birkenhead

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc

Met up with Sarah and both of us enjoyed a great gig (the venue was a pain to find though). Unfortunately, my review and other comments got lost in cyberspace, all I remember is that the band's double-CD "Live in Paris" came out that very day and was available at the gig. As my B'day was just around the corner, the boys kindly signed and personalized one copy for me. Also, Sue had Hogan's Heroes mousepads for sale which were sort of calendars for 2008 and featured a lovely actual band photo.

The venue was spacy but rather dark which made photos almost impossible, and there were strange metal statues all over the place. The band had the next day off but were busy with photo shootings for their upcoming CD  'LIKE THIS'.

There were protective gratings in front of the band's signing table which I found rather irritating. Another unpleasant thing which is still in my mind were some rude bouncers who were only too eager rushing out people right after the show. My way back to the hotel was another odyssee, due to missing signs and poor lighting I ended up in the middle of nowhere ...


Set List (incomplete and not always in the right order)
Set 1
Road Runner
Rock around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag
Crying in the rain
Breathless

Set 2
That is Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Cox's Yard Stratford-upon-Avon - 12 Nov 2007

Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon

 
Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc

It took me some time to get to the UK by car and ferry, but it was the cheapest way this time and all went well. Strong winds whilst the Channel crossing but I made it right on time. This was my 2nd visit to Cox's Yard which is a historic place located in the town centre next to the river Avon. This summer they got flooded and had to close the place for some time for refurbish works. The gig was upstairs, big screens were installed which enabled to see the band from any place.
Met up with Sarah and her mom and we all enjoyed the gig which went extremely well. Elio played the first time at the Yard and he got lots of cheers. I noticed that the band had polished up some songs, e.g.  "Till I gain control" was played in a beautiful way with Elio on accordion. Gerry pleased the crowd doing his funny 'tap dance' during PULLING IT OFF.

After the gig, nice catching up with the Scottish twins Win and Margaret as well as with the band members and Sue. Happy to see that their new CD was out (not really new stuff, but the DVD 'Live at the new Morming' now recorded as a double-CD). I passed Chris Farlowe's message to Albert and had him sign a special photo which I took some time back.

Although Stratford is Shakespeare's birthplace there was no time for any sightseeing next day as I had a long drive ahead up to the Merseyside.


Set List (probably not in the right order and not quite complete)
Road Runner
Rock around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag
Crying in the rain
Breathless

Set 2
That is Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up


________________________

About the venue:

When in 1839, James Cox moved his fledgling timber merchant's business to Avon Bridge Wharf, he could never have imagined that over 160 years later visitors would be arriving at the same site to be welcomed to a new family entertainment complex called Cox's Yard. During the great Victorian boom, there would have been wharves and warehouses lining the banks of the River Avon as businesses and the local population grew. James Cox and Son supplied timber to builders in Stratford and the surrounding area and gained a great reputation for providing the finest materials for many of today's historic buildings in Shakespeare Country.

Just as Cox and Son's business was located at the very heart of Stratford's business community, so the new Cox's Yard is playing a central role in the life of the town, and offering visitors a unique location for Drinking, Dining and Entertainment on the River.

Cox's Yard today: Stratford owes its very existence to the river and the Avon plays an important role in the 21st century Cox's Yard. Cox's Yard features a Family Pub with riverside patio for drinking and Dining, as well as our continental styled Bridge Café serving freshly baked pastries, cakes and a wide range of beverages and a Games room for all the Family. Entertainment is offered throughout the week at Cox's Yard. The Attic theatre provides workshops and performs plays for young children. There will be lots of fun with Bungee Trampolines and entertainers in the front courtyard this summer, and relaxing jazz and acoustic sounds will be played "live" regularly at the Riverside Patio. Our Music room is the "only dedicated entertainment venue in Stratford" offering a variety of evenings such as Comedy, Live rock music, Blues, Salsa and Party nights featuring brilliant tribute bands covering material by Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Jimi Hendrix, Bon Jovi and many more. 

Chris Farlowe & Hamburg Blues Band, Quasimodo Berlin - 10 Nov 2007

CHRIS FARLOWE, CLEM CLEMPSON & THE HAMBURG BLUES BAND, Quasimodo Berlin

Chris Farlowe (vocals)
Clem Clempson (g)
Gert Lange (voc, g)
Alex Conti (g)
Michael Becker (bass)
Hans Wallbaum (dr)

Preview (German only):
St. Pauli Blues: Der Sound der 60er boomt seit Jahren und etwa genauso lange touren diese Typen durch überfüllte Clubs, die ohne Zweifel zum Besten gehören, was die europäische Blues-Szene zu bieten hat. Die Hamburg Blues Band steht für intensiven, clever arrangierten und live umwerfenden Roots-Blues, der regelmäßig Puristen ins mentale Wanken bringt. Denn die Truppe um den oft mit Joe Cocker verglichenen Sänger Gert Lange vermengt brettharten Gitarren-Bluesrock so spielfreudig wie traditionsbewusst mit Soul, klassischem Rhythm & Blues, Boogie und sogar Ausflüge in Jazz-Gefilde.

Die Besetzung der HBB liest sich wie ein "Who is Who" der europäischen Musikszene. Fangen wir mit den beiden diesjährigen Gästen an: "The Voice" Chris Farlowe (Colosseum/ Atomic Rooster) hatte ́67 mit dem Rolling Stones Titel "Out Of Time" einen weltweiten Hit, der auch nach 4 Dekaden immer noch im Radio gespielt wird. Als R&B Entertainer alter Schule versteht er es wie kein anderer Delta, Opera & New Orleans Scatgesang zu kombinieren. Clem Clempsons hochgeschätzte Gitarrenkünste hat dieser nicht nur bei Colosseum, Humble Pie & der Jack Bruce Band unter Beweis gestellt. Als Studiomusiker arbeitete er für unzählige namenhafte Kollegen: B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Roger Daltrey, Jon Anderson & die Nevillen Brothers, um nur einige zu nennen. Der Gitarren Pyromane Alex Conti machte sich bei Bands wie Lake und Atlantis verdient; Drummer Hans Wallbaum, der jahrelang bei Ruhrpott - Rocker Stoppok hinterm Schlagzeug saß, trommelte einst bei Chuck Berry, Interzone und Marius Müller-Westernhagen; Shouter Gert Lange arbeitete mit der Rainer Baumann Band, Stoppok, Jack Bruce und Zoot Money. Kinofans erkennen seine Stimme bei dem mit einem Deutschen Filmpreis geehrten "Burning Life" & aus diversen TV-Spots (u.a. Karlsberg Bier) sowie Michael Becker (Lake, Spooky Tooth, Die Antwort,) am Bass. Dick Heckstall-Smith (Colosseum), die britische Saxophon-Legende, war über 20 Jahre fester Bestandteil der HBB; Dick verstarb leider am 17. Dez 2004, kurz vor der Fertigstellung des letzten HBB Albums "Live – On The Edge Of A Knife".

Ein weiteres "HBB Mitglied" agiert hinter den Kulissen: Texter Pete Brown schrieb schon für die Supergroup Cream Klassiker wie "Sunshine Of Your Love" & "White Room" und wird auch die Lyrics für das neue Hamburg Blues Band Album "Mad Dog Blues" verfassen.
______________________________________________________


From: Gudrun, originally sent: 20/11/2007 18:14
Yes, that was a great gig. A brief review:

The venue was already packed when I arrived and almost sold-out. I was able to sneak to the front and had just one wheelchair driver in front of me, so an excellent view was guaranteed.

First set was completely bluesy but without Chris, nevertheless great. I thought that the drummer was sort of a look-alike of Ginger Baker. Alex Conti (git) should be mentioned as he is a local which I could figure out from the cheers of his own fans. The band dedicated one song to the late Dick Heckstall-Smith who passed away in 2004. There was a lot of interaction between audience and band members which caused a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Clem Clempson was a former member of Humble Pie and later Colosseum. When Chris finally took to the stage after a short interval, hell broke lose. I am always amazed (and happy) to see how popular he still is with us and he certainly deserved the ovations. First of all he said hello from Norman [Beaker] as there were frequently questions asked "Where's Norman". ( I was told later that last time when Norman played here with Chris people went wild as they were soo good and thus created a huge fan community).

Chris started at full speed, his voice was excellent and he seemed to enjoy every second of the gig and was full of energy. Songs I remember were:

- I don't sing the blues no more
- All or nothing - dedicated to Steve Marriott (great vocal section = the audience !)
- Stormy Monday Blues - Chris fooled around with a bottle of Berlin Pils (special kind of beer which he enjoyed) and changed the lyrics accordingly which caused quite some laughter
- Shaky grounds - fantastic
- Out of time - of course a highlight
They had to give 3 encores !!

Later the band and especially Chris rubbed shoulders with the remaining fans and felt obviously comfortable in the club. I got autographs from some of the band members enjoying nice chats. They said we - the audience - were fantastic and it's always a gas to play here.

Finally I talked briefly to Chris and had my photo signed which I took of him and Albert at the 100Club last year where he was among the audience and was asked onstage for the encore. He remembered all that and asked me to say HELLO to Albert. Additionally he signed me another pic for my brother who has been a Chris F addict for so many years and cn't travel anymore due to health issues. A fantastic night with a brilliant band.