Tag: Portsmouth Guildhall

Live Music, Music and More Music


What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

My favourite pastime is listening to music, preferably, live music.

I believe you can’t beat a live performance for moving your soul, rousing emotions, and even reducing you to tears.

Over the last fifty or so years I have been lucky enough to see many live performances.

My first exposure to live music was at Claverham County Secondary School. The “school dance”, held for those pupils leaving to begin their working lives, featured “The Equals” ! The band had just hit the UK charts with their single “Baby, Come Back”. Little did we know that a member of that band would go on to have a successful solo career. That was “Eddie Grant”.

After I left school, I did a brief stint at Battle Engineering before starting an apprenticeship at HM Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth. This was to be the start of my musical education.

I was in digs at the time when one of my co-residents invited me to a concert at Portsmouth Guildhall. On stage that night were “Led Zeppelin” supported by “Blodwyn Pig.”

After that, there was no holding me back. Almost every week, I would attend performances on South Parade Pier, Kimbels Ballroom, and Portsmouth Guildhall. Back in those days, you would have up to five bands perform in a single evening.

During those heady days I saw Black Sabbath, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Roy Harper, Van de Graff Generator, Caravan, Hawkwind, and many many more.

Back then I was into Prog Rock, but I did venture into other genres. Thanks to Joan, my landlady at the time, I saw Tony Bennett, Manitas de Plata, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick, and many, many more.

As time has moved on, my musical tastes have changed. I still love my prog rock, but I have learnt to appreciate all kinds of music, as long as it is performed well. Highlights have been Carmina Burana at the O2 and a classical concert, at the Royal Albert Hall, that closed with the 1812 Overture complete with the live firing of canon and musket.

Nowadays ticket pricing places restraints on how many shows I can get to. Thankfully there is vinyl, CDs and the Internet for streaming music. Much to my wife’s disgust I turn on the music most mornings and get a couple of hours listening in.

And then the TV, courtesy of Sky Arts, broadcast so many great shows. Just last night I was watching a documentary following The Grateful Dead. Pure gold.

Please excuse the misquote, but, “If music be the food of life play on”

RIP Jeff Beck


Sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Beck. An unsung hero of the rock world, a guitarists guitarist.

I have been going to concerts for over fifty years. Although, I feel blessed to have seen Jeff perform live, twice, during those fifty years. I also feel sad that I didn’t manage to make it to more of his shows.

The first time I was treated to the Beck phenomenon was when he appeared at Portsmouth Guildhall, as part of Beck, Bogert and Appice. This was 25th January, 1974. What a powerhouse group they were, although they were referred to as a “supergroup” by the music press. Jeff Beck, of course, on guitar. Carmine Appice on drums and Tim Bogert on bass. My memories are not strong enough to confirm this, but the interweb shows that Bobby Tench was part of the group although I don’t remember there being a fourth guy on stage. I wish I had been able to find a quality video to include. However, below is a track from their album.

The last time I saw Jeff live, was an entirely different kind of concert. I had won the tickets in a competition, courtesy of Planet Rock. Not one of my favourite venues, we caught him live at Southampton Guildhall, 3rd July, 2009. Venue aside, all I can say is this has to be one of the best concerts I have ever attended. His playing was superb and he just about blew my socks off. The support act, on that occasion, was an upcoming Imelda May. Much more than a warm up act but it was clear who the audience were there to see. Imelda came back onto the stage to provide some stunning vocals during Jeffs set. The entire show was fabulous, spine tingling. Have a listen to the following, just a small part of that show.

Thanks for the music and the memories Jeff. May you Rest In Peace.

Gone but never forgotten.

Jools Holland & His Orchestra at Portsmouth Guildhall


Or rather Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to give the correct name.

On Saturday 21st December Jools and the team took Portsmouth by storm. The review by Portsmouth News writer Rachel Jones does not convey the excitement, the energy and the sheer power of the show.

“A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of Jools Holland”

But that’s where any ceremony ended because an evening with Jools and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra is a laid-back affair.

I agree that group may appear laid-back but that is because they are all extremely talented musicians. They are comfortable with their instruments and they are comfortable with their fellow orchestra members. Always in control but not so rigid that they can’t have fun with the music and each other.

The fanfare paved the way for Jools to turn on the Boogie-Woogie piano playing for which he is renowned. As always the opening number set the standard for the rest of the evening, got our feet tapping and our hands clapping. And then the brass section came in full tilt and blew us all away.

This was the third time I have been to see Jools and each time the effect of the opening number reminds me of that Maxell Tape advert, the one where the guy is pressed into the back of his armchair by the sound coming from his Hi Fi.

Once started the pressure is maintained. Sure the pace slows a little from time to time but the entertainment level and the quality of the music and the musicians remains at the very highest levels. This is demonstrated throughout the show as each individual musician takes centre stage to solo on their chosen instrument. Even the backing singers step into the spotlight to take the lead. This all serves to keep the show simmering along nicely.

However, the heat really turns up when the power house that is  Ruby Turner takes to the stage. Ruby is the resident “guest star” and boy has she got a voice. She wrings every ounce of emotion out of every word and note. Ruby was definitely cooking with gas on Saturday night.

Jools likes to bring other guest stars to his shows. Saturday was no different. In the past we have been treated to performances by Lulu and Marc Almond, both superb vocalists. On this occasion it was former Spice Girl Melanie C.  who performed a mix of songs, her own and covers. As on previous occasions taking a well known singer out of their usual context shows what talent they truly have. Mel C. was no exception and showed that she was up to performing familiar songs supported by Jools and the team. Strutting from side to side of the stage she had both the audience and the orchestra in the palm of her hands.

Sadly the show came to an end, but not until Jools and the orchestra returned for an encore and finished with the entire audience on their feet.

I left Portsmouth Guildhall with my feet and hands buzzing. The ultimate sign of a great show.

Review: Jools Holland & His Orchestra at Portsmouth Guildhall – Portsmouth News.

RIP Jon Lord – The Original Highway Star


Jon Lord, founder member of Deep Purple, died yesterday after losing his fight against Pancreatic Cancer.

Johns keyboard playing provided the backcloth and some times the lead for Deep Purples distinctive sound. His Hammond organ sound was a key component and counterpoint to Ritchie Blackmores guitar playing.

Besides playing with Deep Purple Jon  was part of Whitesnake and the collaboration Paice, Ashton & Lord. He also appears on, or is credited on,  recordings by many well know artists including David Gilmour, The Kinks, George Harrison, Sam Brown and Nazareth to name but a few. We should not omit the many solo and orchestral works that he has created over the years.

I was priveleged to see Jon Playing as part of the Purple incarnation that also featured Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore when they played Portsmouth Guildhall (9 February 1971). A stunning show featuring stunning musicians.

The music world has lost a great talent but his legacy will play on.

http://youtu.be/4g2iYXBxIXA