|
Billed as the ‘Classic Legends of Rock 2009’ tour, tonight’s show at the recently refurbished Derngate theatre in
Northampton brings together three ‘prog-rock’ masters on the same bill.
Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk are midway through ‘Midnight Sun’ as we enter. Sadly, we catch only three other
numbers before the acoustic Strawbs have to depart. These are: ‘Ghosts’, the vocally-superb ‘Shine On Silver Sun’ and ‘Autumn’.
It’s our very first encounter with Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash.
Created in Autumn 2005, the band today features Martin, back playing his signature Gibson Firebird basses, together with drummer Dave Wagstaffe and guitarists Ray Hatfield and Danny Wilson.
We are treated to
a rendition of Wishbone’s third album played in its entirety. Heaven! ‘Argus’ was named as ‘Sounds’ [one of three definitive 70s weekly music newspapers] as ‘album of the year’ in 1972 and includes
many of the band’s best-loved songs including ‘Time Was’, ‘The King Will Come’ and ‘Warrior’.
The set kicks off with 1980’s ‘Living Proof’. Second, comes a three-part medley that
incorporates another classic track ‘Jailbait’ from the band’s second album ‘Pilgrimage’. Played last, the highlight of the set is ‘Blowing Free’ with its great vocal harmonies, driving bass line and
fabulous guitar riffs.
Complete Set List: Living Proof; Medley: Blind Eye-Jailbait-Phoenix; Time Was; Something World; The King Will Come; Leaf and Stream; Warrior; Throw Down The Sword; Blowing Free.
The concert closes with a fine performance from Focus. It’s a much shorter set than we are used to and predictably restricts itself to the band’s better known material, most notably ‘Hocus Pocus’ and
‘Sylvia’ with its new, funky introductory section.
The 2009 line-up features original band members Thijs Van Leer [keyboards] and Pierre Van Der Linden [drums] alongside brilliant new players Bobby
Jacobs [bass] and Niels Van Der Steenhoven [guitar] who are both more than capable of filling the gaps left by Bert Ruiter and Jan Akkerman. Tonight, a particular highlight is the Jacobs / Van Leer composition
‘Aya Yippie Hippie Yee’.
Complete Set List: Focus I; House of the King; Aya Yippie Hippie Yee; Eruption; Sylvia; Hocus Pocus.
Website links
Focus
Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash
The Strawbs
|
