JAMES BURTON

CAVERN CLUB
Mathew Street, Liverpool
Sunday 31st July 2016


Having a legend like James Burton playing in the Cavern Club, was one that The Beeb wasn't going to miss. Having Glen D. Hardin in the band gave the added bonus of two of Elvis's TCB Band playing together.

Being an afternoon gig, we spent the night before in Shrewsbury just to split the journey, and allow us to drive home after it.

The Beeb with James Burton

We've been to some hot, sweaty nights in the Cavern Club before, but this would be the one to take the biscuit. After having lunch, and some quality time with the very lovely Anne-Marie Trace, we headed to the Cavern Club. It was unusual wandering up Mathew St without bumping into anyone we knew for a change.

The place was pretty much full by the time we got there, but we did manage to grab a spot near the front of the stage. We had a few warm up acts before the main man, including IPO perennial, Susan Hedges, and Mark Pountney, who we had seen doing his own songs at the IPO, ... ....., but this afternoon he was doing a Roy Orbison tribute, and what a job he made of it. His voice was fantastic, and he carried it of very well indeed.

By the time James came on we had been standing in the Cavern for nearly four hours. Jam packed, no seats and no air conditioning, we were soaked to the skin with sweat when he did come on.

Glen D Hardin on the Keys

What we got was James and Glen doing a set of Elvis songs, with an Elvis tribute singer who must have been nearly 30 years older than Elvis was when he shuffled off this mortal coil. Not as bad as you may think though. At least he didn't wear a Vegas jump suit and to be fair, he actually did a very good job.

The audience were in good voice too, joining in enthusiastically with things like "The Wonder of You" and "Suspicious Minds."

There wasn't much in the way of banter from the guys, but Glen in particular did genuinely seem to be loving it all. They did of course play brilliantly, and the audience really let them know how much they enjoyed it.

James Burton in full flow

Instead of just Elvis songs, The Beeb would have loved to have heard some of James' other work, like "Suzie Q" or some of his songs with Rick Nelson, or even Gram Parsons. But you can't have everything.

James was very generous with his time after the gig, and came across as a real Southern gentleman when we got to meet him afterwards.

Well worth taking the time out to go to Liverpool at any time, but this gig made it very worthwhile for sure.

LOVE REVISITED / THE FAST CAMELS

THE BROOK
Portswood Road, Southampton
Saturday 2nd July 2016


Being big fans of The Fast Camels, it was very pleasing to see they would actually be the support for LOVE Revisited, on this gig in Southampton during their UK tour. The Camels were a natural fit for this gig, especially as LOVE are such a dominant influence on this Scottish band.

This also gave us the opportunity to become tourists for the weekend too, with the day of the gig being spent in the lovely town of Winchester. And yes, we did go to the Cathedral.

The crowd in Southampton was the smallest audience LOVE Revisited had played for on this tour, but there was no dampening of enthusiasm and noise! Actually, these are the kind of gigs we like, no crush and no long queues at the bar!

Big Daddy Smythe and the 
Love drumkit

The Fast Camels kicked off, and we got a fabulous half hour set of some old favourites and some of the songs from their new album, with their new single "Keep The Noise Down For Matilda" going down a treat.

You can hear the LOVE and 60's psychedelic influence throughout their music, but they have a modern edge to it all. The drumming is terrific, and hang onto your hats, as the chord progression picks you up and takes you along on this fun ride taking you from a fast grungy beat to a slowed down gentle pace and then back to the fast psych sound (and that's all in the same song!).



We have seen this band many, many times and always enjoy their high energy set. Thoroughly recommended.

The Fast Camels

A short interval and LOVE Revisited took command of the stage. These guys were Arthur Lee's LOVE from the late 90's through the years leading up to his death so their pedigree has been firmly vetted. This tour, they were joined by Johnny Echols, the original LOVE guitarist.
Some members of the audience had experienced Arthur Lee's LOVE the first time around.
The sound was really good, vocals shared, guitar solos brilliant and it was just an all round superb gig. You can tell these guys know their stuff.....

Because they are not a "tribute" band, the set was not limited to the well known LOVE songs although of course some more well known songs like "Little Red Book" were included. The set list was made up of songs from LOVE's first 3 albums, and quite a few were from"Forever Changes". All good stuff and sounded great. They did Arthur proud.

Mike Randle - Love Revisited

Johnny Echols

The guys in the band are also 90's powerpop band, Baby Lemonade. Their CDs can be quite rare to find now and even they are pricey. Luckily, Minty has most of  the back catalogue and Mike and the guys signed the inserts. Great guys all round, and again, a band who were very generous with their time after the gig. Cheers guys x

Minty gets her Baby Lemonade CDs signed by Mike and the guys

The Beeb and Mike Randle give the thumbs up

Click HERE for Love Revisited's website
Click HERE for The Fast Camels' website