Black Country Communion - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton - December 29th 2010 (Live Review)
Thursday, 06 January 2011
Written by Jon Stickler
Wednesday 29th December saw the black country play host to yet another home-grown collective, following in the steps of rock titans such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, the appropriately named supergroup Black Country Communion were in town to play a special show at their spiritual home.
Consisting of local boys bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham and American counterparts Joe Bonamassa on guitar and Derek Sherinian, Black Country Communion arrived at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall with a mission to rock. Opening their first ever full concert with a ground-shaking outburst of 'Ride Of The Valkyries', all four members of Black Country Communion arrived on stage to the applause from a 3,000 strong audience, all expecting something very special.
From the thundering bass and drums of Cannock-born Hughes and Dudley-born Bonham, to Bonamassa's howling guitar and Sherinian's melodic honky-tonk keys, Black Country Communion powered straight into a set that was essentially made up of the band's debut self-titled album. With the opening call of “I am a messenger/this is my prophecy/ Im going back....to the Black Country” from natural born frontman Glenn Hughes, Wolverhampton's Civic Hall was shaken to its foundations.
Continuing to proove that he is the “Voice Of Rock” frontman Glenn Hughes stalks every inch of the stage while howling his extraordinary vocals accompanied by legendary blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and his exceptional guitar skills. Clearly enjoying the show the two band leaders, probably the most stylish I have ever seen, Hughes dressed in a long velvet coat and sunglasses and Bonamassa swapping his usual smart suit and shades for a more casual jacket, jeans and trainers (designer of course), led the often extended tracks while jaming together whipping the crowd up into a frenzy.
Joe Bonamassa belted out the beefy riff to 'The Ballad Of John Henry' before Glenn Hughes introduces 'Medusa', a BCC song that was written during Hughes' days with Trapeze. Telling the audience that, “I had the very good fortune of playing this song with the best rock drummer of all time and now I get to play with his son,” its a touching moment where the whole house raises a glass to Jason and his legendary father John. In addition, another special tribute to Bonzo followed just after the mid-way point, with the pleasant suprise of a haunting delivery of Led Zeppelin's 'No Quarter'.
Unable to pick highlights from the 90minute extravaganza, the performance was THAT good, BCC songs 'Sista Jane' and a reprise of 'Black Country' closed the 13-track set. Despite being a little predicatable, the encore of Deep Purple's 'Burn' brought an end to a rapturous display of solid classic rock.
Departing with the promise that Black Country Communion will be back in 2011, the band seem overwhelmed with the applause received from the wild crowd. The four-piece take their bows and exit leaving a psyched-up crowd to go find the nearest pub jukebox!
If you're a fan of classic rock this is a band you simply have to see. Black Country Communion will be returning to the studio this year for a follow-up abum and, as Glenn Hughes mentioned upon leaving the stage, will be around for many years to come.
Set list:
Black Country
One Last Soul
Beggarman
Revolution
Down Again
Too Late For The Sun
Song Of Yesterday
Ballad Of John Henry
Great Divide
Medusa
No Quarter
Sista Jane
Black Country (Reprise)
Encore:
Burn
Stereoboard Gig Rating: 8/10
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From the thundering bass and drums of Cannock-born Hughes and Dudley-born Bonham, to Bonamassa's howling guitar and Sherinian's melodic honky-tonk keys, Black Country Communion powered straight into a set that was essentially made up of the band's debut self-titled album. With the opening call of “I am a messenger/this is my prophecy/ Im going back....to the Black Country” from natural born frontman Glenn Hughes, Wolverhampton's Civic Hall was shaken to its foundations.
