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“Ladies
and gentlemen, everything seems to be ready. Please welcome
the greatest rock ‘n roll tribute band in the world, The Rollin
Stoned”.
When
Pat Andrews introduced the band to a packed 100 Club audience
she didn’t exactly echo the introduction used by Sam Cutler
many years ago, but had she done so please believe me, it wouldn’t
have been an overstatement! Pat did introduce The Rollin Stoned
as the best Rolling Stones Tribute band that she had seen and
also, more importantly, that the band were ‘particular friends’
of the fan club. The band, she said were eager that the night
should be a tribute to the musicianship and memory of Brian
Jones, founder and spirit of The Rolling Stones.
It
would be remiss to go any further without mentioning the support
band. Errol Linton is a superb blues harp player and vocalist.
His trio is completed by piano and guitar which dovetailed together
into a tight swinging blues unit. A superb warm-up for what
was to come.
At
9.30 p.m. the band hit the stage and straight into “Satisfaction.”
The band followed up tearing their way through a string of early
hits ~ “Cloud”; “Last Time”; “All Over Now”; “Spend The
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Night Together”; “Around and Around”. The first thing to catch
the eye (and ear) is the alternating lead playing of Byron’s
Gibson Firebird and Keith’s Gibson Les Paul ~ “the ancient art
of weaving".
Close
your eyes! This must be the Stones at their absolute best!!
Open your eyes and it is indeed Mick Jaguar pouting and prancing,
vying to take the limelight from our hero, the broadly grinning
Byron Jones. Charlie Waits and Bill Wymandy keep the rhythm
section tight and pumping whilst Keith Retched goes through
his guitar hero moves, each nuance finitely rehearsed.
The
band are aided and abetted by the melodic Nicky Popkins on piano.
Byron steals the limelight on “Under My Thumb” and with the
dulcimer on “Lady Jane”. Sadly after a superb rendition of “You
Can’t Always Get What You Want” we are reminded of Brian’s sad
demise as Byron leaves the stage. A sad moment for us, what
will happen now? For me a personal sense of déjà vu.
Fear
not, Mick reminds us “ Tonight is for Brian”, and our hero rejoins
the band blessed with his heavenly wings. Immediately we are
back into Brian mode |
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with Byron playing superb blues harp on “Fade Away” and “Midnight
Rambler; treble recorder on “Tuesday” and “Baby Coral Sitar”
on “Paint It Black”.
Close
your eyes again ~ everything note perfect, textures and tones
absolutely spot on! All this followed by a rash of “Banquet”
and “Bleed” numbers topped with our own Pat Andrews adding backing
vocals on “Honky Tonk Women”.
After two hours on stage
the boys are joined by Art Wood for an energetic rendition of
“Hoochie Coochie Man” bringing the set to a close just in time
for people to make a hasty dash for those last tubes out of
the City.
If
there is any way you can catch these guys then I advise you
to pull out all the stops to get to a gig. Believe me, the
experience is well worth a cross-country journey.
Finally,
thank you to the band. The night was for Brian. I know he was
well pleased.
John
Kirkham |
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