Cinderella - Saturday 25th June, Shepherds Bush Empire, London

The last time I saw Cinderella was back in 1991 on the Heartbreak Station Tour at the Hammersmith Odeon. 20 years later and celebrating their 25th Anniversary Tour, they returned to a sell out crowd at the Empire. Now, early this year Bon Jovi announced a London date in Hyde Park as part of Hard Rock Calling for the 25th June. As I missed their residency at the O2 Arena last year I decided to go as I hadn't seen them for years. I purchased my ticket and updated my diary. Then a month ago Cinderella announced a one off date in London on the 25th June. The same day as Bon Jovi was playing! Now we have a dilemma. What concert does one go to? No contest really. I sold my Bon Jovi and bought my ticket for Cinderella! Did I make the right choice? Absolutely! So on a hot Saturday evening at a packed Empire I waited for their first London show in over 20 years. As with their appearance at the Download Festival in 2010, Cinderella still consist of all 4 original members, Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar, piano & saxophone), Jeff LaBar (guitar), Eric Brittngham (bass) and Fred Coury (drums). They were one of the highlights of Download so I was looking forward to seeing them playing again especially as this was a headline set. Starting of with "Once Around the Ride"  from Night Songs they proceeded to play a 13 song set culled from their first 3 albums, the aforementioned Night Songs, Long Cold Winter and Heartbreak Station. Tom Keifer's voice was top class, the problems he has had with his vocal cords a distant memory. A surprise early in the set of  "Shake Me" was soon followed by "Heartbreak Station", "Somebody Save Me" and "Night Songs".  There was a mid set of lull of "Coming Home" and a surprise inclusion of  "Second Wind". When a roadie wheeled out a piano we knew it was time for "Don't Know what You Got (Till It's Gone)" and cue for a mass singalong. The pace then picked up again with "Nobody's Fool" and Gypsy Road". 2 encores followed of  "Long Cold Winter" and set closer of "Shelter Me". Tom's parting words was that they would return, hopefully with a full UK tour this time.
A point to note, Cinderella were supported by Houston. Great AOR sounding band. Check 'em out.
Another point to note, I heard that Bon Jovi played a good gig as well.



Cinderalla Live at Download 2010



LA Guns - Thursday 23rd June 2011 - Camden Underworld, London

This was the second visit for Tracii Guns' version of LA Guns to the Underworld in the last 6 months. Previously I gave them an glowing review. So on the back of that I decided to go again.Would I be so generous this time? Sadly no is the answer. I read that Gypsy Pistoleros had invited them over and that the Pistoleros would be their support, but they failed to play that night. However despite their non show, for me it was a case of familiarity breeds contempt, as I was disappointed by LA Guns's performance. We still had Jizzy Pearl on vocals but there was a change in the rhythm section. Back was Jeremy Guns on bass and a new drummer, Doni Gray. They played a similar set to last time such as LA Guns stalwart favourites of; "Electric Gypsy", "Never Enough", "Face Down", "Bitch Is Back", "The Ballad Of Jayne" and set closer of "Rip and Tear". We even had the same 2 Love/Hate songs, "Black Out" & "Spinning Wheel"! Come on guys, you could have played "Tumbleweed". However unlike last time the Underworld was only half full, despite it being a Thursday night. Those who were down the front seemed to be having a good time (perhaps it was due to the copious amount of beer they were drinking!)  One word sums up tonight's performance, disappointing. I'm now looking forward to Phil Lewis's version of LA Guns here in October.

Jizzy Pearl & Tracii Guns

Journey & Foreigner & Styx - Saturday 4th June 2011, Wembley Arena, London

Having seen Journey at the Download Festival in 2009 I was suitably impressed (not just because they played 'that' song) to check them out if they played againg. Therefore when they announced a tour with very special guests Foreigner and Styx, I decided to go. On paper this is an AOR fans wet dream, the likes of which you would never think that this package would make its way over to the UK. And so it did to Wembley Arena on a hot Saturday evening. Never a great venue for acoustics or seeing the band if you are right at the back but all 3 bands put on a great show. Despite being high up near the back (hence no photo's) I had a great view of the stage.
First up at exactly 7pm was Styx. Now I must admit that the only song I new by them was the soppy 'Babe'. Fortunately they did not play it, instead playing their rockier numbers such as 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)', 'Come Sail Away' and 'Miss America'. This may have been due to the twin guitarists James 'JY' Young and Tommy Shaw. I was very impressed and I'm glad I caught all of their set especially as I've never seen a keyboard which spins around at 360 degrees (as ably demonstrated by Lawrence Gowan)!
Next up were Foreigner who played a 1 hour greatest hits set. If I thought Styx were good, Foreigner were even better. Guitarist Mick Jones is the only sole survivor from the original lineup and his guitar playing is superb as ever. Kelly Hansen is lead vocalist these days. not only does he possess a great voice but has a great presence as well. With most of the stage, ramps and visuals on a background video screen at their disposal they certainly put on a fantastic show. Starting off with 'Double Vision', then followed by 'Head Games' this could have been the set picked by their fans. We then had 'Cold as Ice', 'Urgent' and the mandatory ballad 'I Want To Know What Love Is'. By the time they played an encore of 'Juke Box Hero' it felt like Foreigner were the headliners. Magical!
What an act to follow. Were Journey up to it? Sadly in my opinion they were not. Don't get me wrong they were good but maybe their set was a bit too long or I'd seen them before, but for me they lacked a bit of sparkle. However try telling that to 90% of the sold out crowd at Wembley who clearly enjoyed their set. Of course there seems to been a resurgence for Journey due to 'Don't stop Believin' being used on Glee. Starting off with 'Separate Ways' they played an 18 song set ending with 'Lovin',Touchin',Squeezin' to an ecstatic audience. These day's it is Arnel Pineda who is the singer and boy is he good. Not only has he a good set of pipes but a great command of the stage. However he did leave Dean Castronovo to perform lead vocals on 'Mother,Father'. Of course they played 'Don't stop Believin', 'Faithfully' and 'Any Way You Want It'.
Certainly this package was value for money However unlike England (who earlier drew with Switzerland at the Stadium next door), Foreigner were the winners on the night.