Smiles better...
King King (with Bad Touch) – 02 ABC, Glasgow, 5th May 2017
King King (with Bad Touch) – 02 ABC, Glasgow, 5th May 2017
One year ago Alan Nimmo was concerned that, having decided to book the main hall of Glasgow’s 02 ABC and record for what became part of King King’s rather excellent Live CD-DVD set, the turn-out wouldn’t merit either decision.
He needn’t have worried – King King came within a hundred or so tickets of selling out the 1300 capacity hall.
One year on Alan Nimmo was once again concerned that a return to the same hall might result in such a low turnout that a club venue may have been a safer bet; the reason being Paul Rodgers was also in town, on the opening night of his heavily publicised Free Spirit tour.
He needn’t have worried (again) – while there was a drop off in numbers, unquestionably because Mr Rodgers was delivering a Best of Free set just a mile and a half away, it was still a packed hall that saw King King deliver yet another exemplary performance.
The reasons for such an outstanding show (from an admittedly outstanding band) were threefold.
First Alan Nimmo, delighted that King King would be playing to another huge Glasgow crowd and having visibly relaxed as soon as he walked on to the stage (with an even bigger smile on his face than last year), was even more delighted that both his mother (after a bout of unwellness) and his daughter were in attendance.
The results were a crowd size and familial ties that lifted the band musically and Alan Nimmo emotionally.
Secondly, after the successful operation to fix Alan Nimmo’s vocal and throat issues of 2016, his singing is not just better but stronger than before; a clean bill of vocal health, a more disciplined vocal technique and a band that continue to grow in stature made for one helluva show.
Finally and more importantly, with no recording pressures and no vocal worries (the one noticeable glitch in the otherwise faultless 2016 performance) the band could play fully relaxed and with a confident swagger.
And that they did, from blues rocking raunch and roll opener 'Lose Control' and the groovin' shuffle of The Fabulous Thunderbirds 'Wait on Time' to the Weegie chorus that accompanied 'Rush Hour' and on through to the band’s powerful, slow blues-rock tour de force, 'Stranger to Love.'
He needn’t have worried – King King came within a hundred or so tickets of selling out the 1300 capacity hall.
One year on Alan Nimmo was once again concerned that a return to the same hall might result in such a low turnout that a club venue may have been a safer bet; the reason being Paul Rodgers was also in town, on the opening night of his heavily publicised Free Spirit tour.
He needn’t have worried (again) – while there was a drop off in numbers, unquestionably because Mr Rodgers was delivering a Best of Free set just a mile and a half away, it was still a packed hall that saw King King deliver yet another exemplary performance.
The reasons for such an outstanding show (from an admittedly outstanding band) were threefold.
First Alan Nimmo, delighted that King King would be playing to another huge Glasgow crowd and having visibly relaxed as soon as he walked on to the stage (with an even bigger smile on his face than last year), was even more delighted that both his mother (after a bout of unwellness) and his daughter were in attendance.
The results were a crowd size and familial ties that lifted the band musically and Alan Nimmo emotionally.
Secondly, after the successful operation to fix Alan Nimmo’s vocal and throat issues of 2016, his singing is not just better but stronger than before; a clean bill of vocal health, a more disciplined vocal technique and a band that continue to grow in stature made for one helluva show.
Finally and more importantly, with no recording pressures and no vocal worries (the one noticeable glitch in the otherwise faultless 2016 performance) the band could play fully relaxed and with a confident swagger.
And that they did, from blues rocking raunch and roll opener 'Lose Control' and the groovin' shuffle of The Fabulous Thunderbirds 'Wait on Time' to the Weegie chorus that accompanied 'Rush Hour' and on through to the band’s powerful, slow blues-rock tour de force, 'Stranger to Love.'
But it’s not just about the quality of the songs.
For the entire set bassist Lindsay Coulson and drummer Wayne Proctor were in the groove and showcasing yet again why they are the rhythm section in British blues rock; Coulson underpins a number such as the fully funkified 'All Your Life' with melodic purpose while Proctor gets so deep inside the pocket of his groove (with little percussive nuances that give each verse the subtlest of rhythmic shifts) it’s remarkable he doesn't have to be hauled back out after each song.
Bob Fridzema continues to bring goose bumps with his soulful and vibrato-filled Hammond playing ('Long History of Love' never fails to impress, Fridzema’s solo bringing one of the loudest cheers of the night) and has long since established himself as the perfect foil to Alan Nimmo’s six-string work.
As regards the kilted front man, this was the most unfettered I've seen and heard him; his solo on 'You Stopped the Rain' (written for big brother Stevie Nimmo), was one long fretboard run of joyous expression.
The set itself, while retaining the backbone of songs mentioned above, has had a makeover for this tour.
Two notable and well received changes were the band’s fine cover of 'Heavy Load' (as recorded for second album Standing in the Shadows and ironically the one classic Free number not being performed just down the road) and new song 'She Don’t Gimme No Loving.'
A corkin’ little rock number, the new tune both echoed to the sound of Thunder (who probably can’t believe they didn’t write it first) and pointed to the direction of what will be album number four (the new album will be a more rock orientated release; no playing it safe same-again-please from these boys).
For the entire set bassist Lindsay Coulson and drummer Wayne Proctor were in the groove and showcasing yet again why they are the rhythm section in British blues rock; Coulson underpins a number such as the fully funkified 'All Your Life' with melodic purpose while Proctor gets so deep inside the pocket of his groove (with little percussive nuances that give each verse the subtlest of rhythmic shifts) it’s remarkable he doesn't have to be hauled back out after each song.
Bob Fridzema continues to bring goose bumps with his soulful and vibrato-filled Hammond playing ('Long History of Love' never fails to impress, Fridzema’s solo bringing one of the loudest cheers of the night) and has long since established himself as the perfect foil to Alan Nimmo’s six-string work.
As regards the kilted front man, this was the most unfettered I've seen and heard him; his solo on 'You Stopped the Rain' (written for big brother Stevie Nimmo), was one long fretboard run of joyous expression.
The set itself, while retaining the backbone of songs mentioned above, has had a makeover for this tour.
Two notable and well received changes were the band’s fine cover of 'Heavy Load' (as recorded for second album Standing in the Shadows and ironically the one classic Free number not being performed just down the road) and new song 'She Don’t Gimme No Loving.'
A corkin’ little rock number, the new tune both echoed to the sound of Thunder (who probably can’t believe they didn’t write it first) and pointed to the direction of what will be album number four (the new album will be a more rock orientated release; no playing it safe same-again-please from these boys).
While King King reinforced why they are leading the British blues rock pack, Special Guests Bad Touch reinforced why they are one of the bands to watch.
The Norfolk based quintet, led by the charismatic (and colourful shirts) of front man Stevie Westwood, opened their set to a crowd much the same size as the one that witnessed their Glasgow 02 ABC2 performance back in March; here however the low number issues were courtesy of the dreaded phrase "event curfew" and a ridiculously early start.
But by the end of their set the band who deliver high-quality southern influenced blues rock had a healthy sized crowd fully behind them, many of whom were clearly familiar with latest release Truth Be Told.
The band’s excellent second album also made up the bulk of the forty-five minute set, with on the night highlights including great performances of 'Mountain' (a heavy rock blues for the planet), the lighter, take a load off number 'Take Your Time' and the seriously infectious rock and roll of '99%.'
I don’t doubt Paul Rodgers, still in fabulous voice and who I have seen on a number of on-top-form occasions, delivered a fantastic Free set with A Little Bit of Love and a whole lot of panache.
But on the night, given the circumstances, the tangible emotion and the sheer joy of performance, Glasgow’s 02 ABC was Smiles Better.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits: Stuart Westwood (Alan Nimmo, King King); Laurence Harvey (Stevie Westwood)
The Norfolk based quintet, led by the charismatic (and colourful shirts) of front man Stevie Westwood, opened their set to a crowd much the same size as the one that witnessed their Glasgow 02 ABC2 performance back in March; here however the low number issues were courtesy of the dreaded phrase "event curfew" and a ridiculously early start.
But by the end of their set the band who deliver high-quality southern influenced blues rock had a healthy sized crowd fully behind them, many of whom were clearly familiar with latest release Truth Be Told.
The band’s excellent second album also made up the bulk of the forty-five minute set, with on the night highlights including great performances of 'Mountain' (a heavy rock blues for the planet), the lighter, take a load off number 'Take Your Time' and the seriously infectious rock and roll of '99%.'
I don’t doubt Paul Rodgers, still in fabulous voice and who I have seen on a number of on-top-form occasions, delivered a fantastic Free set with A Little Bit of Love and a whole lot of panache.
But on the night, given the circumstances, the tangible emotion and the sheer joy of performance, Glasgow’s 02 ABC was Smiles Better.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits: Stuart Westwood (Alan Nimmo, King King); Laurence Harvey (Stevie Westwood)