THE 100 CLUB
Review
Courtesy of The Spirit
Brian Jones Anniversary
Gig
3rd July 2001
“Ladies and gentlemen, everything
seems to be ready. Please welcome the
greatest rock ‘n roll tribute band in the
world, The Rollin Stoned”.
When Pat Andrews introduced the band
to a packed 100 Club audience she didn’t
exactly echo the introduction used by
Sam Cutler many years ago, but had she
done so please believe me, it wouldn’t
have been an overstatement!
Pat did introduce The Rollin Stoned as
the best Rolling Stones Tribute band that
she had seen and also, more
importantly, that the band were
‘particular friends’ of the fan club. The
band, she said were eager that the night
should be a tribute to the musicianship
and memory of Brian Jones, founder and
spirit of The Rolling Stones.
It would be remiss to go any further
without mentioning the support band.
Errol Linton is a superb blues harp player
and vocalist. His trio is completed by
piano and guitar which dovetailed
together into a tight swinging blues unit.
A superb warm-up for what was to
come.
At 9.30 p.m. the band hit the stage and
straight into “Satisfaction.” The band
followed up tearing their way through a
string of early hits ~ “Cloud”; “Last
Time”; “All Over Now”; “Spend The Night
Together”; “Around and Around”. The
first thing to catch the eye (and ear) is
the alternating lead playing of Byron’s
Gibson Firebird and Keith’s Gibson Les
Paul ~ “the ancient art of weaving".
Close your eyes! This must be the
Stones at their absolute best!! Open
your eyes and it is indeed Mick Jaguar
pouting and prancing, vying to take the
limelight from our hero, the broadly
grinning Byron Jones. Charlie Waits and
Bill Wymandy keep the rhythm section
tight and pumping whilst Keith Retched
goes through his guitar hero moves,
each nuance finitely rehearsed.
The band are aided and abetted by the
melodic Nicky Popkins on piano. Byron
steals the limelight on “Under My
Thumb” and with the dulcimer on “Lady
Jane”. Sadly after a superb rendition of
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
we are reminded of Brian’s sad demise
as Byron leaves the stage. A sad
moment for us, what will happen now?
For me a personal sense of déjà vu.
Fear not, Mick reminds us “ Tonight is
for Brian”, and our hero rejoins the band
blessed with his heavenly wings.
Immediately we are back into Brian
mode with Byron playing superb blues
harp on “Fade Away” and “Midnight
Rambler; treble recorder on “Tuesday”
and “Baby Coral Sitar” on “Paint It
Black”.
Close your eyes again ~ everything note
perfect, textures and tones absolutely
spot on! All this followed by a rash of
“Banquet” and “Bleed” numbers topped
with our own Pat Andrews adding
backing vocals on “Honky Tonk Women”.
After two hours on stage the boys are
joined by Art Wood for an energetic
rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man”
bringing the set to a close just in time
for people to make a hasty dash for
those last tubes out of the City.
If there is any way you can catch these
guys then I advise you to pull out all the
stops to get to a gig. Believe me, the
experience is well worth a cross-country
journey.
Finally, thank you to the band. The night
was for Brian. I know he was well
pleased.
John Kikham
www.rollinstoned.com