The Original Blues Brothers Band - Carling Apollo Manchester 2nd March 2002
I know what you're thinking. What is The God of Thunder doing at a Blues Brothers Band show? Not enough dry ice, blood -spitting and fire-breathing, surely? Well, there is that but, truthfully, I love the Blues Brothers movies. I always have - even before it was trendy to like them. I loved the Blues Brothers when everyone else I knew thought they were self-indulgent, twaddle for purists only. It has not always been cool to like the Blues Brothers.
That has apparently changed. Judging from the number of very short people present, proudly displaying their Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Cradle of Filth logos and wearing pants so baggy that you could easily house a family of Kosovan refugees in the pockets alone, they were either there by mistake, by court order or because there was a baby-sitter shortage in the Greater Manchester environs. Indeed, I was sorely tempted to reduce the number of hoodielums by at least one, but fortunately for him, his Ritalin obviously kicked in before I did so, I let the little thug live. Ironically, his constant fidgeting and incessant leg shaking stopped as soon as the band came on stage. Kids: I'm with WC Fields on this one: I love them - boiled, roasted, or fried.
That has apparently changed. Judging from the number of very short people present, proudly displaying their Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Cradle of Filth logos and wearing pants so baggy that you could easily house a family of Kosovan refugees in the pockets alone, they were either there by mistake, by court order or because there was a baby-sitter shortage in the Greater Manchester environs. Indeed, I was sorely tempted to reduce the number of hoodielums by at least one, but fortunately for him, his Ritalin obviously kicked in before I did so, I let the little thug live. Ironically, his constant fidgeting and incessant leg shaking stopped as soon as the band came on stage. Kids: I'm with WC Fields on this one: I love them - boiled, roasted, or fried.
Anyway, you know beforehand, more or less, what you're going to see: "The Colonel" Steve Cropper; Lou Marini; Alan Rubin; Matt "Guitar" Murphy and a list of names of varying degrees of note - it says so on the posters and flyers. (Unfortunately, Matt "Guitar" Murphy did not appear due to illness.)
If that was not enough there is Eddie Floyd on vocals - that has to be worth the price of admission alone. So why do you get the feeling that I wasn't entirely overjoyed to be there? I don't know. I can't explain it. They came on and launched in to what was a stonking medley of Green Onions and Peter Gunn. Then they brought out a "Blues Brother" to do vocals on a range of standards and he was perfectly satisfactory. He wore the gear, did the moves, sang the songs, perpetuated they legend that is Jake and Elwood Blues.
As good as they all were though, for the first 30 - 40 minutes, I couldn't get away from the nagging feeling that what I was watching was a Blues Brothers Tribute Band. Admittedly, the best Blues Brothers tribute band on the planet, but a tribute band, nevertheless. An expensive one: £53 for two tickets kind of expensive. For half of that, the previous night, I had taken Mrs God of Thunder to see Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker Band and had been right at the front, had two hours of awesome music from one of the greatest voices in the business backed by a superb blues band. And we got to meet them all afterwards.
If that was not enough there is Eddie Floyd on vocals - that has to be worth the price of admission alone. So why do you get the feeling that I wasn't entirely overjoyed to be there? I don't know. I can't explain it. They came on and launched in to what was a stonking medley of Green Onions and Peter Gunn. Then they brought out a "Blues Brother" to do vocals on a range of standards and he was perfectly satisfactory. He wore the gear, did the moves, sang the songs, perpetuated they legend that is Jake and Elwood Blues.
As good as they all were though, for the first 30 - 40 minutes, I couldn't get away from the nagging feeling that what I was watching was a Blues Brothers Tribute Band. Admittedly, the best Blues Brothers tribute band on the planet, but a tribute band, nevertheless. An expensive one: £53 for two tickets kind of expensive. For half of that, the previous night, I had taken Mrs God of Thunder to see Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker Band and had been right at the front, had two hours of awesome music from one of the greatest voices in the business backed by a superb blues band. And we got to meet them all afterwards.
So, almost half way through the show, I'm feeling less than pleased. Everybody is sitting politely in their designated seats, I've wasted fifty notes and I'm being blinded by a badly adjusted varilite. And what is with this bloke behind me? How can he possibly clap so loudly? It's deafening.
Then came indisputable proof that there is a God, and his name is Eddie Floyd. From the second he strode out on stage, looking exceedingly fit for a 66 year-old, immediately commanding everyone to stand up the show was awesome. As good as Steve Cropper is - and he is that damn good - he is no front man. He does what he does exceedingly well, he plays guitar. Eddie Floyd, on the other hand, gave the band the star quality front man that makes the difference, the personality that draws you in, the voice that demands you listen, the experience that demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
After that, I never thought once about how much the tickets cost. The light shining in my eyes wasn't, because I was now standing, I boogied my sneakers away and having a whale of a time. A range of blues and soul standards were performed with great style and aplomb and a great night was had by all. For me, Messin' with the Kid was the highpoint, but with classics like Sweet Home Chicago, She Caught the Katy, Shake Your Tailfeather, Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, and an awesome Gimme Some Lovin', it seems rather churlish to cherry pick. Eddie Floyd's contribution cannot be understated and his versions of 634-5789, Big Bird, Soul Man and Knock on Wood were outstanding and as good as I've ever seen.
So, in the end it all turned out OK, but I still think that they should have brought Eddie Floyd out after Peter Gunn and left the Blues Brother to add backing vocals and add local colour. I'm glad I went because you don't get to see Steve Cropper that often on these shores but, if I'd been asked to pay after the gig, I'd have argued that I only wanted to pay for the first 40 minutes at tribute band ticket price.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
March 3rd 2002
Then came indisputable proof that there is a God, and his name is Eddie Floyd. From the second he strode out on stage, looking exceedingly fit for a 66 year-old, immediately commanding everyone to stand up the show was awesome. As good as Steve Cropper is - and he is that damn good - he is no front man. He does what he does exceedingly well, he plays guitar. Eddie Floyd, on the other hand, gave the band the star quality front man that makes the difference, the personality that draws you in, the voice that demands you listen, the experience that demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
After that, I never thought once about how much the tickets cost. The light shining in my eyes wasn't, because I was now standing, I boogied my sneakers away and having a whale of a time. A range of blues and soul standards were performed with great style and aplomb and a great night was had by all. For me, Messin' with the Kid was the highpoint, but with classics like Sweet Home Chicago, She Caught the Katy, Shake Your Tailfeather, Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, and an awesome Gimme Some Lovin', it seems rather churlish to cherry pick. Eddie Floyd's contribution cannot be understated and his versions of 634-5789, Big Bird, Soul Man and Knock on Wood were outstanding and as good as I've ever seen.
So, in the end it all turned out OK, but I still think that they should have brought Eddie Floyd out after Peter Gunn and left the Blues Brother to add backing vocals and add local colour. I'm glad I went because you don't get to see Steve Cropper that often on these shores but, if I'd been asked to pay after the gig, I'd have argued that I only wanted to pay for the first 40 minutes at tribute band ticket price.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
March 3rd 2002
About the photos
Mostly, they're crap. I was so far away that I could barely see what was happening on stage myself. The poor optical zoom on the camera didn't do much for me either. So, because the flash highlights only the 33lb head of the goon in front of you, I tried a few without the flash. They didn't work. You learn something new everyday. Ah well, a couple came out - less than I'd hoped for but more than I expected!