100Club London - 30 May 2008
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
Special Guests: The EP Horns
Jim Driver announced in his latest newsletter "don't panic, Albert will show up for the gig". So I booked a last-minute-flight to London, although it was only for one gig. But having seen the band for almost 8 weeks, I decided to do the trip. And it turned out to be worth every effort ....
Arrived from tropical Berlin (30°C) to misty Luton and took the bus to Oxford Street as my hotel was in walking distance to 100Club. Weather in London left to be desired but fortunately it didn't rain. Met up with Sarah in the afternoon and both being so excited, we decided to treat us with a meal in Chinatown, a drink or two in a pub in Wardour Street and then headed for the club. Luckily we arrived early enough to be the first ones in the queue which got longer and longer. Everybody was excited to see Albert after his unfortunate accident and we killed time having nice chats with the waiting crowd. The band were already downstairs and did their warm-up, I could hear bits and pieces from some songs. Downstairs in the club, temps were high, a good excuse to immediately get us drinks from the bar. After a while Albert and the boys were there, rubbing shoulders with the crowd. Everybody wanted to shake hands and say hello to him. I had a few words with him and Wayne who was there as well. Albert told me about his accident and said he was feeling ok now.
The band took to the stage not too late and from the first minute it turned out that Albert was in great shape as were the others. I stood at the side behind Gerry and could watch him operating his steel, which is amazing, also had a good view at Albert, too. From the start, the ice was broken and they went through their set with their usual raving speed. The setlist was slightly changed and the last song before the break was "Rad Gumbo" from the new album. As a surprise, Elio had brought along his horn players, the EP horns ! As this song deals with New Orleans, I felt being in the James Bond movie with the famous Jazz funeral. The sousaphone player was awesome and knocked our socks off. That band rocked, the horns fitted in 100 %, people went totally crazy. I took a photo, but as the horn section were standing at the far end, it didn't come out too well.
Albert and Hogan's Heroes smiled broadly and enjoyed this special feature to the full as everyone could see ! The rest of the show went off without a hitch, Albert's warhorse Country Boy was done perfectly and left some boys in the front row staring at his flying fingers with mouths wide open. The horns came in again and did a great job on "Grandpa" as well. What a show ! Sarah and I enjoyed every minute, a lot of Jack D's involved and so much fun.
Later nice chats to everyone, getting stuff signed until it was time to say goodbye. Thanks to Albert and everybody else for the great show. They are back WITH A BANG, thumbs up and a big THANK YOU !! Now looking forward to next week at Chiddingfold Club.
Set List (not complete and not always in the right order)
I'm Ready
Restless
Two Step Too
Tiger Rag
I'll never get over you
Why me
Breathless
Rad Gumbo (special guests: The EP Horns)
Barnyard Boogie
Crying in the Rain
Can your grandpa rock'n roll like this (special guests: The EP Horns)
Leave my woman alone
Till I gain control again
Country Boy
Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up
