Down To Tavistock
There are ok gigs, good gigs, great gigs and then smack you in the face, kick you in the bollocks outstanding gigs. The Tavistock Wharf on 20th August 2016 was one of the latter types. The major thing of note was the way the band have rallied and jelled over the last year not only as musicians but as friends. A borderline faultless powerhouse of a performance packed full of fun staged in a superb venue with amazing sound and lighting system along with a good enthusiastic turnout. All very fitting for what will probably be James Last’s final performance with the band.
The combined mileage racked up by them all over the weekend was ridiculous. Starting with the journey to The Golden Diamond near Mansfield, an overnight stay, a run down to Tavistock in Devon another overnight stay then the final trip home saw all covering the 600+ mile mark and a couple covering the best part of the 800 mile mark.
I didn’t make the Diamond gig but the feedback was good - the band played a solid set and were well received by the crowd in what is one of the better venues to play in. Fortunately I did make Tavistock – was the 564 mile round trip worth it – you bet your ass it was.
The Tavistock Wharf is placed in one of the best parts of the UK you will find. A stunning market town on the River Tavy and just minutes away from Dartmoor National Park – to be honest it’s the last place I’d think of looking to find one of UK’s premier venues that plays host to tribute bands. Great building, great facilities, great staff, big stage, superb lighting but best of all – a stonking sound system!!
The band were up for the gig from the off and having an enthusiastic crowd only fuelled their adrenalin as they ripped through the first set of Kill The King, 16th Century Greensleeves, Self Portrait, Catch The Rainbow and Mistreated. Catch The Rainbow was epic and was received really well – Wayne’s vocals in particular worth mentioning. A short 15 minute break and they are opening back up with a dry iced filled stage and Burn. Andy nails Perfect Strangers (again), Tearing Out My Heart features a ripping guitar solo from Baz, the instrumental Difficult To Cure gives Wayne a break from his massive performance and for me it’s time for the shows highlight track. Still I’m Sad featuring solo’s from Andy (the eye candy) keys and for the Last time James Last on the drums. Both lived up to and went beyond any hope or expectation – I will never tire of listening to James on the drums – a gigantic talent and a true gent that will be missed by many I’m sure.
Things just keep getting better with Stargazer, the ripping Light In The Black, Man On The Silver Mountain with a bit of a Blues Interlude, Since You’ve Been Gone and to end the show – at James’s request and in tribute to both him and Raggie they perform Gates Of Babylon which once again Wayne does with great skill, his voice control in what is a very difficult track was very impressive.
Icing on the cake was Andrew Timpson (a proud dad) who had travelled over with his young son Sam from Torquay. Sam had just got his first drum kit and much to the delight of the band was well into the gig. Spotted by the band Sam was invited up on stage for an impromptu play on James’s drum kit, photo shoot and a few gifts from James and the band.
Times may be changing but the music lives on – for me this was the best gig I’ve seen the band play since way back when I first saw Rainbow Rising at The Witchwood many moons ago. Everyone involved should be very proud – it was an absolute pleasure just to be there. I'm sure the band would be the first to thank Angie, Sarah and Rebecca for all their help and on a personal note thanks go to my wife Bren who for me none of this would have been possible.
