![]() ![]() Tethered to one side of the stage via his short guitar lead, Wilko makes the most of the space afforded him. Along with Norman Watt-Roy on bass and Dylan Howe on drums, the London audience are treated to an energetic, career-spanning set from the rhythm ‘n’ blues power trio. There’s no big deal made of tonight, it’s just business as usual for Wilko as he strolls out on stage and straps on his trademark black and red Telecaster. It was an emotional affair, but later that year came the amazing news that – thanks to a second opinion and subsequent life-saving surgery – Wilko was cancer-free. If you like albums like Sneakin' Suspicion and Down By The Jetty, you'll be bound to also like this.2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the Wilko Johnson Band and with the legendary guitarist recently celebrating his 70th birthday, there’s no better reason for a show at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.ĭiagnosed in late 2012 with terminal pancreatic cancer Wilko continued to perform and present himself with vigour and a new zest for life. At the KOKO in March 2013 I saw him play what was expected to be his final gig. Dr Dupree, from the album, was on the B-side. Instead a studio version of Walking On The Edge (not included) was released. Oddly no single was taken from the album. The band thrived in a live situation and the audience thrilled to new versions of two Dr Feelgood originals written by Wilko, Walking On The Edge and the brilliant Paradise, plus some favoured oldies: Chuck Berry's All Aboard (sung by John Potter), Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited treated with gay abandon, Jimmy Hughes' Neighbour Neighbour and finally a rousing and lewd nod to BB on Rock Me Baby. ![]() Limited copies of the original album release contained a bonus 12" 6-track EP recorded live during 1977 at an unspecified venue and these are included on the 1990 CD re-issue, though possibly not on this one, as the Amazon tracklist doesn't mention it. The personnel is augmented on the record by Dave Brooks (sax on First Thing In The Morning) and future member John Denton on piano. It is the Wilko songs that really stand out, though, especially single-that-wasn't Everybody's Carrying A Gun and Blazing Fountains. ![]() There is also a revival of the Miracles' classic Shop Around, quite a brave choice for that punk-saturated year, and one that lends itself to Wilko's distinctive guitar style. The late Alan Platt's song First Thing In The Morning, featuring Alan's lead vocal, was recorded by the Solid Senders at three in the morning with Wilko's tasteful guitar part added to the track later.Īll three collaborated with Wilko on some songs and other writers were brought in, too: Hugo Williams on two of Wilko's, and Mike Maynard with John Potter on Keep Both Eyes On The Road. With Wilko's proven record as guitarist, singer and songwriter of note, one might have imagined that the band would be his vehicle, but in fact the album is surprisingly democratic, with three of the songs written and sung by John Potter. Line-up details on the vinyl album sleeve have been omitted from the CD re-issue. He and keyboardist John Potter, the former fifth member of Dr Feelgood, recruited the new rhythm section of Steve Lewins and Alan Platt to form Wilko Johnson's Solid Senders. ![]() The combination of Wilko Johnson and Lee Brilleaux proved just too explosive for one band to contain and in 1977 Wilko set out to form his own band. ![]()
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