Creedence Clearwater Review - The Robin Bilston

Bit of a strange one this.... Who would think of a two hour midweek drive to see a Tribute Band?? My wife would that's who.  I think when she first told me my response was that I wasn't too sure that I would make that much effort to see the original Creedence Clearwater Revival. It wasn't well received let me tell you.

I thought it was strange that the satnav took us a roundabout route via Hinckley and Tamworth. Every time we neared a motorway junction it sneered and stuck two fingers up at it. 'Must be an accident on the motorway' I'ts taking us the quickest route'. Are they really that clever ??

I was travel sick and my back was playing me up , not a good combination. An ambulance overtook us on the dual carriage way, for some unknown reason a BMW slammed it's brakes on , the ambulance smashed straight into the back of it.
The signs were not looking good already. Miraculously we arrived, and were first on the scene some 20 minutes before the doors opened. Nobody else was in sight , I double checked with the ticket checker/doorman/barman who were all the same person that we had the right night.
Assured that it was the right night we eased ourselves  into the adjoining hotel bar at The Robin. It is name the 'Woody Room' after local legend Roy Wood of ' Wizzard' and 'The Move' fame. Aside from all the pictures of Roy it was a characterless place, something akin to a 1970's British Rail waiting room but minus any matching furniture. I just had time to order a pint of Banks's Mild (3.5%) before the same gentleman hurriedly put the shutters up behind the bar. Must have thought that I looked a hellraiser on the 'Mild'.

The concert venue is good though and there is plenty of room. Early arrivals are all seated around the edge of the large auditorium. It suits me to sit down though with my back getting steadily worse. Another pint of Mild just isn't the painkiller of choice. Time to call for 'Dr Jack' perhaps ? Mindful of my travel sickness and the journey home I resist.

Enough of my woes, Dale Taylor takes up the role of John Fogherty on guitar and vocals. We are promised; rootsy, swampy , bluesy and country rock tonight. As the lights dim the majority of those seated make their way to a standing position. I'm guessing there were about 150 maximum ? Not a great turnout. We are treated to the classic 'Bad Moon Rising' very early in the set along with 'Susie Q'.  Green River, Born on the Bayou and 'Rockin All Over the World' (more famously covered later by Status Quo of course). No everyone knows that this was written by John Fogherty.

Its all good but I'm just not feeling the love tonight with the pain. The band break for an interval and we head back tothe 'comfort' of the chairs. The band are off for what seems an eternity, a decision is made to call it a night there (by us not the band). 

We leave the venue and it is chucking it down, miraculously it stops as we reach the car. It's been that sort of night.  
On my insistance Marina checks the satnav and low and behold it is set to 'avoid motorways'...... ........With the box 'unchecked' we head for home taking in the M6 ! but not for long though , two junctions down it is closed.... So we detour through Coventry and all is well again. 

In truth this won't going down as one of my favourite gigs but I don't suppose it was ever going to really . 
 

Linwood Barclay Book Signing

Been waiting a long time for this event to roll around. Booked the tickets immediately I heard about it , some time back in March this year. I was quite surprised to that Milton Keynes was on the list of designated venues.

Born in the USA,  but Toronto based since the age of four a New York Times bestselling author, with nearly twenty novels to his credit.

His books have been translated into more than two dozen language, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans

This isn't just a book signing though and we are given an hour long insight into his writing. He tells the guests of around 80 or so about his three decades in the newspaper industry.

Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.

The first book that I read was  ' No time for goodbye' published in 2007. It did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year here.

 I then read the four Zack Walker murder mystery series. I have heard that the 'Promise Falls' trilogy are also  a very good read.

There is a lot of talk naturally about his new offering 'Elevator Pitch'. He first of all those gathered if they are aware of the term 'Elevator Pitch'. Not many, me included had I must confess. He explained that An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does. ... A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. 

The story is set in Manhattan, an area that he knows very well. All the action takes place in the space of a week. 

I had a nice chat with Linwood afterwards , he told me that my favourite band RUSH actually did a gig at his High School. He is more aware of them rather a fan though.More of a Jazz man , in particular the Canadian Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson. 

“Read Elevator Pitch as soon as possible. It’s one hell of a suspense novel.”―Stephen King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Hats off to Led Zeppelin - The Stables

The first of three upcoming 'Tribute band' concerts in the near future. Not bad for someone who doesn't really do Tribute Bands'.

Hats off to Led Zeppelin come with a high reputation. the  band,whose name is a reference to the Led Zep song Hats off to (Roy) Harper and voted best TB in the UK in 2017.

Its a busy night , the army of car park attendants have their work cut out to squeeze everyone in. 'It's a full house tonight ' one tells me as I deliberately avoid the awkward space he tried to direct me into.

We are safely inside and I buy the obligatory raffle tickets (still never won) it saves further harassment at least. It's a bit like paying protection money I find.

After a drink and smuggled in peanuts we moved into the Jim Marshall Auditorium.
We were pleasantly surprised to find seats that we were front row stage right! Or at least we would have been if a couple hadn't been sitting in them. The situation was not entirely helped when the steward tried to eject the wrong couple.

Eventually safely seated the surprises continued! The band were introduced by 'Warren Grant'. Only the son of Peter who was Led Zeppelin's Manager.  'HOTLZ are the closest you are going to get ' is what he said after first seeing the band.Lets face it we are never going to get the chance to see the likes of Plant, Page and John Paul-Jones all on the same stage again.

The second surprise came when singer Peter Etheridge encouraged the audience to take as many photos and videos as possible !!   What ????? I've been coming hear for years and never allowed so much as a snapshot with the risk of being forcibly ejected. Just my luck not to have brought my camera with me on this of all nights.

Peter Eldridge (Robert Plant)

 

Jack Tanner (Jimmy Page)

In the 1970's Led Zeppelin were the undisputed giants of the Rock scene.The shows were massive and the band members all larger than life, masters of their craft. So huge shoes to fill for any tribute to try and measure up against.

The night gets off to a rip-roaring start with the classics; Rock and Roll, Immigrant Song, Black Dog and Ramble On. The audience spans the ages with young and old in attendance. Some of the songs that follow I'm not quite so familiar with apart from the awesome 'No Quarter'. The first set is very much the earlier years of the band. The great thing is they don't try and impersonate the original band with wigs  etc, relying on replicating the original sound , note for note.

The second half sees guitarist 'Jack Tanner' return in a 'Dragon suit, just as Page used to wear'

The second set is more of the band when they were at their mid 70's peak. Highlights for me were, Good Times Bad Times, Kashmir and Since I've been Loving You which really showcases the power of Eldridge's voice.
There are times when you could close your eyes and think you are listening to the original Led Zep.

Guitarist Jack Tanner calls upon the trusty Gibson 12 string for the epic 'Hairway to Steven' as it is introduced by Eldridge. It's perfect of course , sends a chill through you as the first note of the solo delivers.

As if things couldn't get any better,  we are then treated to one of my all time favourites ' Heartbreaker'.

The show finishes with the legendary ' whole Lotta Love' (Once the theme music for TOTP) with a bit of 'Dazed and Confused' thrown in. By now the crowd are on their feet and few are dancing in front of the stage. One or two get a bit carried away and decide to actually get on the stage. This isn't going to end well........Sure enough one particular idiot falls off and is lucky not to injure himself.

Its been a fantastic night , the only disappointment being that they didn't do my all time favourite 'When the Levee Breaks'.

Hats Off to  Led Zeppelin are ;

Peter Eldridge - Vocals

Jack Tanner - Guitars / Theramin

Kevin Oliver Jones - Bass / Keyboards & Mandolin

Toby Drummond - Drums