'Concert for Killing Cancer' - Hammersmith Apollo, London - 13 January 2011

A charity fund-raising concert will be held at the Hammersmith Apollo, London, on 13 January 2011. The current line-up includes The Who, Jeff Beck, Richard Ashcroft, Debbie Harry, and Bryan Adams.

The event is being organized by promoter Harvey Goldsmith and Bill Curbishley, manager of The Who and Robert Plant. The concert will raise funds to benefit the Killing Cancer charity, specifically, to raise awareness of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). 

The inspiring commitment and generosity of those involved in making the event feasible - Harvey G. and Bill C., the artists, the Hammersmith Apollo, and others - are to be warmly applauded. Their vision and passion will ensure valuable funds are raised for cancer research.

I am attending the concert and hope to write a review.

Harvey Goldsmith - News & Press Release 15/11/10

Jeff Beck to play London O2 Arena with Eric Clapton - 13 & 14 February 2010

Jeff and Eric will take to the stage at the O2 Arena on 13 & 14 February 2010 to each play a retrospective set followed by a joint performance.

Jeff Beck said the two "had a blast" playing together in Japan, while E.C. heaped praise on his friend. "I've always considered Jeff to be one of the finest guitar players around. He's a friend, a great guy, and a truly gifted musician. We had such a fun time in Japan that it seemed natural to play together again."

Tickets for the O2 Arena gig go on sale on 28/9/09.

No doubt this project will prove beneficial and a success for both Jeff and E.C. I prefer to see Jeff playing on stage with his own band for the whole show. We are all exceptional cases, of course. I must confess I find Eric's appearance the only low-point on the DVD, "Jeff Beck: Performing This Week - Live At Ronnie Scott's" which tends to make the CD a bit special.

Double8Tickets was selling tickets cheap [sic] if you had the cash. When musicians you admire charge such high prices for a concert, and in the throes of an economic recession, you begin to wonder. The blame doesn't reside solely with "independent ticket brokers" ...

Arena Floor - (Block A) VERY FRONT ROW - £795.00!

Arena Floor - (Block A) - £395.00!

Who's that with long hair and white shirt - centre stage - enjoying the show? Ronnie Kerrigan? Surely not?

Robin Trower and Jack Bruce - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London - 5/8/09

According to Jack Bruce the set list for the current short tour with Robin Trower will comprise all - or most - of the eleven tracks from their collaborative album, "Seven Moons". The rest of the set will include the usual "classics" from Jack, 'Politician,' 'White Room,' 'Sunshine of your Love,' 'We're Going Wrong.' Only 'Carmen' from "B.L.T." will be included in the set. It is disappointing Robin and Jack have elected to play again - live - the whole of the "Seven Moons" album which, I believe, has its share of unmelodious songs, and dismal lyrics.

Some of the songs from the "B.L.T." or "Truce" albums - both released in 1981 - deserve inclusion in the set, and would provide a much needed change in tempo, light and shade, during the performance. During the earlier short tour, the music was - at intervals - pedestrian. Robin and Jack possess the skill, virtuosity, and confidence, to create a set that highlights their collaborative body of work in better light. It is evident Jack's vocal delivery on some of the tracks 'live' cause him some difficulty; the keys to some songs have been changed to decrease the stress on Jack's vocal chords, and, indeed, overall health.

It's a shame Robin and Jack never found time in their busy schedules to tour together during the ' 90s. Whether the current concerts, and the album "Seven Moons," stand the test of time is anyone's guess.

Concert Review: Robin Trower - Astoria 2, London - 23 May 2008

The musical legacy of Robin Trower is equal to that of his musical contemporaries in the so-called “upper echelons” of blues and rock. Yet, I feel it has never been fully absorbed by the wider musical public for various reasons, which include, lazy musical journalism.

Time Out - London has the gig listed as 'Former Procol Harum guitarist headlines with his Hendrix-esque power trio.' See what I’m getting at? I believe Robin still possesses the creativity to create further great musical works, unlike some musical journalist’s whose mediocrity damns them to be forever a critic, never an artist.

After the mid -‘70s Robin’s earlier success in the UK seemed to take one step forward and two steps back – does anyone know the full story except Robin, and his manager(s)? – nevertheless, the music press continued to write album reviews and articles about Robin, but appeared to fail to hear or listen to the music. A primary requirement some musical journalist’s disregarded in their search for new [sic] talent to help sell their tired, once bona fide magazines.

There will always be musician’s who seek out and listen to those who make the most money based on imitation and copy it. Such musical careers are usually short-lived, as are those of the chroniclers’. Counterfeit music and playing, like counterfeit goods, are eventually exposed for what they are by the naked eye and ears.

Robin has been endowed with certain talents which happen to include being a truly creative guitarist and great songwriter. Just don’t expect the UK media to write or talk about Robin’s guitar virtuosity and the substantial catalogue of music he has compiled.I attended the gig tonight with my wife, Sylvia, and friend Bobby. It was dark and packed; the venue has a reasonable sound system and it’s a good place to see a band. Sylvia and I stood at the front and it was nearly impossible to move – Bobby made his way to the balcony where the vocals were clearer in the mix.


The set list was the same as the US tour and right from the opening of Twice Removed From Yesterday Robin, backed by Pete Thompson (drums), Davey Pattison (vocals) and Glenn Letsch (bass), played music that was beautiful, creative and, at times, breathtaking. It was difficult at times to hear Davey’s voice except on the slow songs but he sung his lungs out – I know, they landed on my head!

Robin’s guitar tone and playing tonight were sheer poetry - when he was really soaring you felt he was bearing his soul. Pete and Glenn provided a rock-solid rhythm section which give Robin space to ply his art. Tonight the fans were as one – a nest of singing birds echoing the lyrics flowing from the stage, monitors and PA. The set list didn’t include all the songs I wished for, or the coda of Too Rolling Stoned but it was still magical. Another great gig that will linger in the memory for a long time.

Thanks to Robin, Davey, Pete and Glenn for putting on a great show.After the gig Sylvia, Bobby and I went to the Coach & Horses in Soho for a few drinks. I asked them for their analysis of the performance. I just listened - and without revealing identities - the following comments were made:

* Dave Bronze’s bass style and fuller tone was sadly missed, and impacted on the sound.
* Glenn Letch’s bass style and funkier tone improved the overall sound of the band.
* Davey’s vocals at times were inaudible – maybe time for Robin to bring in a different vocalist.
* When the sound balance is perfect and the monitors are working Davey’s singing is good.
* Jimmy Dewar’s vocals sadly missed on Hannah Robin and the band played tight, and obviously enjoyed the warm reaction from the crowd.

We agreed that Robin's guitar playing remains remarkable, and pondered the success of lesser mortals who seem to have cracked the musical media code, and continue to build and maintain their careers and reputations on past glories. A great trick if you can pull it off, but maybe you lose your soul in the process?

Setlist: Twice Removed From Yesterday, Shame The Devil, For Earth Below, No Time, The Fool And Me, Roads To Freedom, Islands, Day Of The Eagle, Bridge Of Sighs, Rise Up Like The Sun, Victims Of The Fury, Gonna Be More Suspicious, Hannah, Little Bit Of Sympathy, Too Rolling Stoned, Go My Way Another Time Another Place.