The Classic Rock Show - St David's Hall, Cardiff - 18th January 2012 (Live Review)
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Written by Jon Stickler
A virtuoso band of fine musicians helped rock away the January blues in Cardiff last Wednesday, 18th January, as The Classic Rock Show stopped in the Welsh Capital for an outstanding performance of selected tracks from the ten best selling rock albums of all time.
A dull, damp Wednesday evening was brought to life as soon as the band took to the stage at St David's Hall. For the next two hours it was all about the guitar-rocking, air-punching, chorus-singing and foot-stomping!
Featuring highlights from album such as The Eagles' 'Greatest Hits', Led Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti', Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours', Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' and 'The Wall', Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', AC/DC's 'Back In Black' and Meat Loaf's 'Bat out of Hell', The Classic Rock Show, consisting of eleven singer/multi-instrumentalists, had rock fans up, out of their seat, dancing away to the fantastic renditions from the closest thing to a live action jukebox.
With members of the crowd greeting each song intro with cheers, applause and the occasional comment of “I love this one”, the crowd were enjoying a lively trip down memory lane. Dire Straits' 'Money For Nothing' received one of the biggest welcomes of the evening as the track faded in before THAT classic riff, executed perfectly, had everyone bobbing heads and singing along. Other highlights included The Eagles' 'Take It Easy', a fantastic saxophone solo on Pink Floyd's 'Money', as well as the iconic guitar solos from Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven' and Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb'.
The tempo-picked up with reproductions of AC/DC's 'Back In Black' album track 'Shook Me All Night Long' and Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out Of Hell' before the set closed with the epic Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Freebird', complete with duelling guitarists, as well as two encore songs in the form of Joe Cocker’s 'Get By With A Little Help From My Friends', and The Who’s 'Won't Get Fooled Again'. Check out a taster of 'Freebird' below.
The musicians, who handled everything with ease and great stage presence, swapped instruments all night with individuals lending their talents on guitars, sax, keyboards, percussion and bass. Vocals were superb, as were the guitarists who reproduced with ease some of the most respected guitar solos ever written.
I'll admit I always have doubts about watching a tribute or cover band, however, The Classic Rock Show will make me think again in future. Undoubtedly one of the best live rock shows you will see, with the added bonus of ALL the classics played at one gig!
Jan 24th - Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
Jan 26th - Gateshead, The Sage
Jan 27th - Aberdeen, Music Hall
Jan 28th - Edinburgh, Queens Hall
Jan 29th - Norwich, Theatre Royal
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