Gaiety Theatre Review 2/13/2010

[michelej1]

Isle of Man News
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-where...kes.6087898.jp


Guitar great Peter Green makes it a night to remember
20 February 2010 , By JOHN GREGORY

REVIEW: Peter Green and Friends
VENUE: Gaiety Theatre, Douglas (Saturday, February 13)


Over the years I have had the pleasure of seeing a number of influential electric guitarists from the world of rock and blues live.

The likes of Eric Clapton, BB King, Gary Moore, Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck are all on that list – and on Saturday I was thrilled to add one of my very favourites to it, the great Peter Green.

If anyone was expecting to see the Peter Green from 1968 on stage at the Gaiety then I suggest they should have built a time machine beforehand.

Peter's life story is one that has been documented extensively elsewhere, including the taking of LSD in his heyday and his struggles with mental illness over the years. I, for one, am glad that he can still share some of his talents with us.

In my eyes Peter's greatest legacy is his work as founder of Fleetwood Mac (when they were a blues rock band) and the A Hard Road album with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

As a writer of songs such as Black Magic Woman, The Green Manalishi, Oh Well, Albatross and Man of the World, his lasting impact on the world of music was established a long time ago.



The highlight of the night for me was Albatross, which he played beautifully. I closed my eyes and let my ears concentrate on a moment I had hoped for ever since first hearing this seminal track many, many moons ago


On Saturday night he acknowledged his long love affair with the blues and his band provided superb backing.

So, we had versions of the blues standards Key To The Highway, The Thrill Is Gone and Albert King's Oh, Pretty Woman.

I enjoyed them all immensely and Peter was responsible for some classy and tasteful playing and I enjoyed his very mature sounding vocals.

The highlight of the night for me was Albatross, which he played beautifully. I closed my eyes and let my ears concentrate on a moment I had hoped for ever since first hearing this seminal track many, many moons ago.

The true 'frontman' of the band was Mike Dodd, a guitarist and singer who kept proceedings going.

His parents live in the Island and he expressed his wish for the band to come back for the TT.

He took on vocal duties for a cover of Bob Dylan's Absolutely Sweet Marie and it was Mike's role to introduce other band members and talk to the audience too.

The sound was great in the Gaiety – I could hear every instrument perfectly. The volume level was quieter than usual too and to me this was a good thing. Perhaps I am getting older but I find I can hear more and the instruments sound better when turned down a notch or two and it suited the music as the gig – which was supported by 3FM – had a laid back feel about it.

I was truly delighted to see Peter Green play and sing, he is someone whose guitar playing and music has meant so much to me for a long time. It isn't 1968 anymore and I went into this concert with an open mind knowing that to have expected that with everything he had gone through would be completely wrong.

It was a shame that there were a couple of people who had maybe had a shandy or too before the gig shouting out – and especially those I heard talking during Peter's performance which could be heard due to the lower volume. Perhaps they had not actually been to the Gaiety before where it is usual for silence (apart from applause of course), during the performance.

Chris Gray and Luke O'Reilly opened up the night armed with their acoustic guitars and Chris' original songs. It was a fine start to the evening and they deservedly received a warm response from the crowd.

Jerry Christian was next up and he pretty much had a hero's welcome.
Playing the likes of Bruce Springsteen's Used Cars and Cadillac Ranch, plus Neil Young's Comes A Time and John Martyn's May You Never, Jerry's act went down a storm.

Both acts once again showed the talent we have in the Island and they certainly added to what was a hugely enjoyable night.

[Ms Moose]

Thanks for posting this, Michelej1. A very mature and fine review, not?

Ms Moose