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
Review from: Gudrun
Sent: 28/02/2007 15:20
I try to give a brief review (just my personal thoughts in my own words) on the Half Moon gig but Jilly please feel free to add whatever you want, would be most grateful.My 3rd visit to the Half Moon, and as always - a great gig and a very responding audience ! Many familiar faces in the crowd e.g. Mike Berry and others. Met up with Jilly, Ange and Steve on Friday night and glad to see that Sarah from Sheffield showed up as well. When we arrived at the Half Moon there were only 2 tickets left and within seconds the gig was sold-out. We managed to get to the front row and then - it started with a bang! "Road Runner...", a song of Albert's new solo album, the lyrics of this song are a good description of the man himself. Elio Pace was playing the piano and on some slow songs he switched over to accordion. We all felt sorry for Brian's sore throat, hope that will be over soon. They changed a couple of songs and added new ones, just as Sue said before. But I was glad that "Hanging on" and "Brandnew heartache" were still on as was the neckbreaking "Tiger Rag" (one of my all-time favourites). "Ollie Vee" always reminds me of my 2nd Hogans' gig ever which took place right here at the Half Moon in 2004 when Sonny Curtis and the Crickets showed up and joined for a couple of songs.
"Sleepless nights" and "Wild child" were missing, but I think Jerry Lee Lewis' "Breathless" came out very well with Gerry on guitar and Albert on his new piano. Peter did 2 songs to my surprise "Fool's gold" written by Brian was on and PB's incomparable "Wake up screaming". Another surprise: Albert did a moving version of "Dimming of the Day" from his solo album where it's a duet with his daughter Alexandra. It goes without saying that "Country Boy" was as fantastic as ever and the encore just did what it says in the title "Tear it up". Great night! Thanks to the band, also for the signatures and chats later. Gerry signed me a photo I took at an earlier gig at the Musician in Leicester, which shows him playing the guitar and pulling a grim face - priceless!
Thanks also to Ange and Jilly for sending me their photos and letting me use them.
We all agreed: another great gig not to be missed and a good time with friends and music buddies.
Set List (not complete and probably not always in the right order):
Road Runner
Rock around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag
Crying in the rain
Set 2
Baby 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
Comment by Jilly:
Sent: 06/03/2007 23:32
Not much to add to your excellent reviews, Gudrun, it's been many years since I was last at the Half Moon - it doesn't seem to have changed much! Excellent atmosphere, tiny area for the band, good sound ... and what a great evening . The new running order was good, I missed 'Sleepless Nights' - a personal favourite - but enjoyed 'Breathless'. Being at the front (and I won't say who pushed me to be right in front of the stage ... but you know who you are) I could see the cues and more of the rapport between the guys. Good to catch up with everyone - although the least said about the 'bouncers', the better. Now looking forward to The Cellars and Chiddingfold ... love, Jilly xxx
Another comment by Jilly:
Sent: 08/03/2007 00:02
Wow! Gudrun, the collection of photos from the Half Moon is excellent, 'well done' to you and Ange for the photos I'm hoping that my pics (from my non-digital camera) will be OK . Yes, that will be great to meet there next year ..
Strange coincidence this evening - I received a phone call from a friend (Malcolm) I've not heard from for 20 years ... he lives in Cornwall, and is going to see Albert & HHs in Truro! We had a great chat about the Half Moon and the musicians we had seen there many years ago!
