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Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre, Kings Heath, Birmingham,
October 13th/14th 2007
If you were a Deep Purple fan you’d certainly recognise a lot of material and people at this year's
Guitarfest.
First off was the Chris George Band, who chose a heavy instrumental version of
Black Night as their second tune, with some great Hendrix inspired playing.
Next off was Michael Angelo Batio playing with a backing tape and with a hairdo which looked
just like the early Ramones. He kicked off his set with a version of Burn “from one of my
favourite guitarists, Ritchie Blackmore” he said. I was fearing a dull shredding solo set, but
actually Batio combined his undoubtedly huge skill at ridiculously fast guitar with some
thoughtful playing and moreover won the crowd over with his self deprecating and funny banter
between the songs. His famous “double guitar” piece at the end got a lot of cameras flashing
but is, to Batio’s own admission, basically a fun gimmick.
Then came GMT, with two ex-Gillan members who I don’t think I’ve seen play together for 28 years
(yikes). Drummer Robin Guy moves around the kit with arms and sticks flinging about, looking
like a sort of kit Taiko drummer, but it’s great to watch. John McCoy hasn’t changed a bit and
his crazy smoke bellowing tusk bass guitar which he uses towards the end of the gig reminded me
of the fun guy I remember back in the Gillan days. Bernie Torme is a noisy but great player
with a style all his own. The music was typically heavy with a twist of punk / new wave thrown
in at times, which I’d expect from Torme. They finished off with a mad version of Smoke On The
Water “I all went down to Montreux?” which they justified playing as they’d played it so much
with the original writer.
With two of the other original GuitarFest players not able to make the gig it was up to Bernie
Marsden to finish the day, much as he did last year when Michael Schenker failed to turn up.
After Bernie Torme’s exciting but noisy tones Bernie Marsden sounded fantastically clear,
wonderful and precise. There was no Neil Murrey or Jimmy Copley this time, but a drummer, bass
player (John Something) and keyboard player and the style of the band was very much his blues
“Stacks” based idea of the last few years. The keyboard player did some cracking solos and
allowed Bernie some space between his own gorgeous solo playing. Bernie has signed up a deal
to promote PRS guitars but unable to explain the technicalities just said “this is the blue one
and this is the green one”. Anyone who hasn’t seen Bernie in this kind of act is missing a
treat, better than slogging out old Whitesnake stuff any day, his rich tone and control is
superb. Incidentally he mentioned that he was fed up of signing Whitesnake covers “where I
don’t even recognise the people in the band”.
review: John Blackburn
"John,
Bass guitar was John Gordon, Matt Cowley drums, Danny McCormack keys, plus Jim Kirkpatrick and Michael Angelo gtrs at he end.
Hope this helps, Bernie M" |
