KILBURNFLYER

The long treck out to the Excel - arse end of London - to see Deep Purple play in a car park. Quite apart from the fact that the location is not geared up to handle such a large crowd - the DLR does not have the capacity to move such numbers quickly hence long queues to get in and out - the sound was pretty dreadful. Since they reformed to play Knebworth more years ago than I can remember I have seen them every time they played in London in the hope that they will recapture former glories - sadly they have got progressively worse. I keep hoping that Gillan's once magnificent voice will get better, that they would play more songs and stop wanking themselves off with dreary solo's, that they would play with more energy and enthusiasm (Glover excluded who still looks like he loves it) rather than go through the motions - but none of these things seem to get any better. The songs seem to be selected according to what Gillan can still sing rather than what the crowd want to hear and it all seems a bit disappointing. On the morning after the show, I am convinced that that is the last time I will see them - I have left the last two shows very bored by it all - and don't want to see any more decline. They were one of the all time greats and have been reduced to a shadow of their former selves - I never saw them when they were really great in the early 70s but early in the reformnation they were a good live act but now it is a bit like watching Elvis at Vegas - once magnificent but no more. Sadly I think the decline is terminal - a bit like Ozzy - and there is nothing left in the tank.

Hated writing this.

KILBURNFLYER

Have not written here for an age so a bit of a round up of recent stuff.

DIO - still got a great voice and a magnificent showman. A bit of a greatest hits show but hey that's what we hoped for. Did everything you would hope for and has a tight band who know their place - stand back, play well and let Ronnie J do his thing. I am always astonished that his voice is still so strong given that he has been in various rock bands since the sixties. A few beers at the Intrepid Fox and then over to the Astoria which is a magnificent venue - compact, good bar staff and a decent PA. Top night as ever - Dio never lets you down.

Whitesnake/Def leppard - Coverdales bands in recent years have lacked any real passion and this trot through their 80s back catalogue was a bit dreary - he has a stack of great material but played hardly any of it. I hear with horror that Neil Murray - bass player when Whitesnake were really good in late 70s/early 80s - now plays in the band that does "we will rock you" - how fucking sad is that. Def Leppard on the other hand were great - crisp, good song selection and looked like they were enjoying it rather than just going through the motions a'la Whitesnake. One of my mates thought coverdale was lip synching some of the difficult bits - hmm hope not as indicates he can no longer do it - Ozzy gone the way of all things last time I saw him.

Journey - not really my thing but surprisingly good - very good new Philipino vocalist. Another good recommendation from a journalist mate.

Riders on the Storm - strange to see surviving members of the Doors but great stuff - wish they had done The End and Unknown Soldier but everything else covered. Very credible.

Yngwie Malmsteen - never seen him before but shit hot guitarist with Ripper Owens doing vocals - can do as good an impression of Dio (Gates of Babylon in the set) as he can of Halford. A great singer who deserves a break. Can't recall having been out of a gig and in the pub by 9.40 - except years ago when Rory Gallagher was so pissed he could hardly play and I walked out - bizarre to start so early if you are only on for a short time.

Fields of the Nephilim - a big trip down memory lane - lots of hats, dry ice and people covered in flour but a good solid gig - first for over 17 years but not rusty - have clearly been in solid rehearsals. Good stuff - although the wife was totally bemused.

Budgie at the Underworld - promised stacks but failed to deliver. Terrible sound - guitar buried in the mix - and the guitarist looked most unhappy. Seemed scared to play a bum note - was very mechanical. Expect so much more at Hard Rock Hell guys !!

B52s at the Roundhouse - absolutely fantastic - probably the best pop band of the last 20 years and a really great live act. Very hot and sweaty but great sound, good songs and overall a very memorable night. Superb new album which they played a few from plus a couple from everything else - finishing with Plant Clare was a joy. One of the best gigs so far this year.