Here's a review by Mike Prendergast of Gasto Promotions (www.gastopromotions.co.uk) for the gig we did for him recently at the Darlington Arts Centre. It was a great gig despite the fact that we were supposed to be the support act but a last minute hitch saw us stepping up to being the headliners! No pressure then!!!!!

The Paul Rodgers Story

Darlington Arts Centre

16-05-08

The Paul Rodgers Story are quite possibly the only tribute act in the world who dedicate their musical abilities to the great man himself. I certainly don’t know of any other act who are paying homage to Rodgers musical history from his early days in Free to his current dalliance with Queen.

This band of Tees Valley based musicians have taken the spirit and energy of Paul Rodgers music and put it all together in a show that can only be described as both dynamic and entertaining.

Why do I say all this: well I have been promoting live music for nearly thirteen years now and I guess I have seen quite a few bands over the years, so I can say with some authority that if you enjoy any of Paul Rodgers bands or solo work [and I for one am a avid Rodgers fan], then you won’t be disappointed with these guys.

All the great music Rodgers has both written and played on is covered by this band. From the opening Free classic “Ride A Pony” through to the closing Free classic “The Hunter” and all material in between including:

Bad Company’s “Shooting Star”, “Can’t get Enough”, “Feel like Makin’ Love,” and also an exquisite solo version of “Seagull” from vocalist Paul Dannatt.

Even Rodgers tribute albums that he recorded to his hero’s - Muddy Waters and Jimi Hendrix are also included in the set with “Muddy Water Blues” and “Good morning little Schoolgirl” from Muddy and “Manic Depression” and “Stone Free” from Jimi.

His solo work is also covered with “Soul of Love” from the “Now” album.

Towards the end of the second set Paul Dannatt had asked the audience if they would like some of Queen’s music Rodgers had played on. This didn’t seem to get a very positive reaction, but they played them anyway, and boy didn’t these numbers [“Tie your Mother down”, “We Will Rock You” and “Fat Bottomed Girls”], go down very well indeed!

The last number was of course “Wishing Well” which was superbly played; then finally the band returned to the stage for two encores – “The Hunter” and “All Right Now”

During the evening, guitarist Kenny Nicholson had played all the guitar solo’s just as Kossoff, Ralphs and May had played them. The tight rhythm section of Paul Simpson on bass and Bob Beeson on drums had been very supportive in driving the music with a pulsating power.

Paul’s bass solo on “Mr. Big” was just ‘Andy Fraser-perfect’ and Bob’s short but non-the-less impressive solo at the end of “Fire and Water” was just as Simon Kirke would have played it - not fancy but just what had to be done.

To aid and abet all these guys we had keyboard player [and rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist] Marty ‘Doggy’ Wilkinson setting the scene in the background with layers of sound to colour the music, especially the classic Bad Company track’s “Bad Company” and “Shootin’ Star.”

But what about the man who had the unenviable job of all I hear you say – Paul Dannatt who has to not only sing like Paul Rodgers but put on a show like him!

Well in Paul Dannatt we have a very fine vocalist who has the same mannerisms and vocal phrasing as Rodgers. [I once heard Paul sing in another band, and although I didn’t recognise the song he was singing, I thought it must be a Paul Rodgers song because he sounded so much like him].

So to recap then: For a great evening of Paul Rodgers music played live, you just gotta go and see this band.

They are currently learning further Rodgers material including The Firm’s “Radioactive” and Free’s “My Brother Jake,” and before too long these guys will be able to play well over two hours of Paul Rodgers material, and I for one can’t wait to see them again!

Mike Prendergast

Paul Dannatt