Remi’s Blues Rock Roadshow
Friday 26th June – The Marrs Bar, Worcester
The tail end of an extremely arid week, with record temperatures, I considered sitting somewhere with a cold beer, but conscience demanded a walk down to the Marrs Bar. Would folk turn out on such a balmy evening? It could prove very hot and sticky inside, with just a scattering of fans. In truth, I was amazed to find the place heaving. Brian reckoned he could manage a few more at a squeeze. I’d anticipated an airless, sweaty evening; wrong again. Air conditioning – how had I never noticed?
Since the gig, I’ve had a memory wipe. Too many sleepless nights, so what follows may be a total fabrication, or just a jumble of possibilities that may have been played, or not. Was anyone taking notes? Hopefully not.
Fact: Remi Harris on various road-worn guitars; Dave Small, vocals, harmonica and congas; Tom Moore with his impeccable Sandberg California 5-string bass; and Shane Dixon on drums. Dave fires things up with a funked-up Free classic, Mr Big. Remi takes the lead and we’re into the groove. All that is true, I think. Don’t quote me.
This blues-rock roadshow wanders through the largely British rock scene of the ’60s and ’70s, which, of course, included Fleetwood Mac, coincidentally also the subject of the band’s Man of the World show. And who wouldn’t want a bite of the Big Mac here, happily including Peter Green’s psychedelic-fused concoction, The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)? Gloriously stretched, kneaded and magical, Dave can’t keep his hands off the congas, while Tom and Shane pound out the rhythm.
John Cale’s They Call Me the Breeze rattled through like an express train, with Dave on harp this time. Then came Led Zeppelin’s How Many More Times. No Robert Plant, but then who could be?
A mighty instrumental blues mash kicked off the second set before Dave stepped back in. We’re soon tearing up the road with Rory Gallagher’s blistering Cradle Rock, Remi on fire. The rhythm is thunderous, cut with Radar Love, and an audience-induced Black Betty before dosing once more with Rory.
It’s all becoming a bit of a blur. Don’t ask for specifics. I don’t recall any Cream. If not, why not? A Spoonful, or a few lines of Cocaine, maybe. An excellent Hendrix number, Free Bird… or did I imagine that? Winging its way through to reverent rock acolytes.
We’re nearing the end. A bit more Zep, and the crowd joins in with Bring It on Home. The gathered fans were loving this. For most, it was their era. They grew up listening to arguably the most influential period in British rock, taking their music back to America and rebooting a somewhat deflated scene.
There was a sprinkling of young blood too, not least Dave’s fan club.
“Oh well” – maybe all the right notes (mine), but not necessarily in the right order! Bring it on home to me.
A great evening, and a packed house (later era, Aussies too) in Worcester’s premier music venue.
By: Graham Munn