Black Star Riders at Manchester Ritz 13th December 2013

I was very excited to get 4 tickets for the Black Star Riders and to be taking my wife and two daughters. My eldest Daughter had seen Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders before but my wife and youngest had not.

Foe me it was a real trip back in time, the last time I saw Thin Lizzy being at Reading Rock Festival in August 1983, the last uk appearance of |Phil and the boys. And of course tragically Phil Lynott died only a few years later. They were my favourite band and I had seen them on all the tours since Chinatown was released.

Things were not to run so smoothly though as my wife had been waiting for an operation for some months and the final appointment was for the 11th December. There was no way she was going to be able to go and I couldn't leave her on her own at home. She did her best to stay in hospital and with a guilty heart we set off to Manchester without her.

Nearly there she called to tell me that the Hospital had discharged her and didn't give her a choice, but she had arranged for her daughter to pick her up and keep an eye on her.

The Ritz is an old cinema but has a great atmosphere. The support band were playing as we arrived and they weren't bad The Dead Daisies apparently.

We made our way further forward for the Black Star Riders and it was cracking. A good mix of their  own stuff from the album 'All Hell Breaks Loose' and Thin Lizzy stuff. The sound was good too very clear guitars and vocals.

Singer Ricky Warwick is a pretty good frontman, looks the part with his black leather and stetson, whilst the rest of the band are good musicians too. Of course there is only one Scott Gorham and you could tell he is still enjoying himself playing live.

A really nice touch was a solo guitar version of Black Rose ( or at least part of it) Played by Damon Johnson as  a tribute to Gary Moore.

Here is the set list: BLACK STAR RIDERS SETLIST MANCHESTER RITZ 13^th December 2013

1. All Hell Breaks Loose 
2. Are You Ready 
3. Bloodshot 
4. Bad Reputation 
5. Before the War 
6. Jailbreak 
7. Hoodoo Voodoo 
8. Don't Believe A Word 
9. Kingdom of the Lost 
10. Hey Judas 
11. Southbound 
12. Kissin' the Ground 
13. Valley of the Stones 
14. Emerald 
15. Bound for Glory 
16. Cowboy Song 
17. The Boys Are Back in Town 
18. Whiskey in the Jar 
19. Rosalie

A genuine shout for more from everyone for Whiskey and Rosalie not a bad introduction to live Rock music for Alina my youngest

Ben Waters at Hall for Cornwall

Having been to many a gig at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro over the years I didn't have particularly high expectations for Ben Waters on Friday 17th January 2014. A pre Gig drink at the Old Ale House by chance meant I could have a cheeky look at the band prior to seeing them on stage as they also shared a pint n this fantastic pub.

The support band hailed from the Isles of Scilly and it would appear that the islands were uninhabited because the travelling support were both numerous and  noisy. Called the Steam Band they played mainly Rolling Stones covers. Very well indeed.  Very talented guitarist and singer with a sense of humour, they got the place rocking very nicely.

Ben Waters followed with his band after the interval. Sharing round the focus by giving the band a go on lead vocals was a nice touch especially as the drummer had a great singing voice. Bens son  who is a very accomplished sax player was part of the band, he's amazingly only 13 years old.

Playing a mix of Boogie Woogie, Rock and Roll standards as well as Blues Brothers, Madness, A-ha numbers had the audience on its feet and invading the stage, prompt for a great singer from the audience to finish off  'Everybody Needs Somebody' and sing a couple of other  soul classics. It was chaotic, even before the Steam band joined for the last couple of seemingly unrehearsed numbers.

The Audience at HFC are usually seemingly glued to their seats but not this night as they danced and applauded every solo.

What a great performer, totally brilliant night out.........