Friday 23 May 2008, Astoria 2, 157 Charing Cross Road, LONDON WC2 0EN

A few days off followed by a trip to the Welsh outback of Pontardawe. Now onto a pro venue with a pro crew for a pro show, big time. Was tonight the best show of the tour so far? Certainly, Pete and Glenn felt so, afterwards. You have to say ‘YEAH!’

Robin and the band walked on stage at 9pm precisely and played their hearts out for 90 minutes. It was a performance of immense strength and depth. The mix was excellent throughout, even down at the front

Davey, who has been in particularly sparkling form on this tour, really belted it out tonight. His vocals were absolutely magnificent. The fact of the matter is, nobody does Jimmy Dewar anthems like ‘Shame the Devil’, ‘For Earth Below’ and ‘Gonna be more suspicious’ like Davey. He really is one in a million.

I may be less than unbiased but this band’s rendition of ‘No Time’ on this tour is probably one of the best pieces of music you are ever likely to hear. Living the lyric, with every minute, Davey spits out the words tonight. What a great number, it is! Boy, does this band know how to dish it out?

Pete steps up into another gear tonight. It’s great to hear him tingle the bells of his cymbals with his trademark offbeat ride during the chorus of ‘Roads to Freedom’.

Glenn’s soulful syncopation - on those numbers I have previously dubbed the ‘Motown trio’ [‘Rise up’ – ‘Victims’ – ‘Suspicious’] – is starting to creep into the set elsewhere. Fabulous. ‘The Fool and Me’ has a much funkier feel tonight due largely to the lines he is now throwing, twisting and turning in and out of the arrangement.

Robin is in top top form, playing very deeply. The highlight is, without doubt, ‘Bridge of Sighs’ which is greatly extended as he squeezes out every last ounce of expression, tonight.

The music is real all right and the passionate reaction from tonight’s packed audience, I hope, gives Robin the sort of feedback and reassurance, he would want for himself from his devoted British fans.

John Waters, David Smith, Tony C and many others are also in the house tonight. I think I even spotted Ronnie Kerrigan too?

From the capital we move next to the magnificent, trophy-winning city of Manchester. Bring it on! Or, as Davey said several times tonight, “let me hear you say YEAH!”

This is Alan Howard for ‘Steve’s Place’ reporting from the Astoria, London, England. 23 May 2008.

Click here to read Tony Cuomo’s review of the gig

Click here to read John Water’s review and view his photos from the show

Click here for Ronnie Kerrigan’s review and photos

Return to homepage for more fan photos and reviews or click below for more robintrowerlive.co.uk reviews

Brighton No Time for farewells      Exeter Totally sold      Bilston Blistering Bilston
Glasgow Dedicated to Jimmy      London Let me hear you say YEAH!      Manchester Pride comes before a fall
Sheffield Balls of steel      Southampton From Portswood to poignancy
Stratford-Upon-Avon The play’s the thing      Birkenhead Fab Four in Birkenhead
Fleetwood Fulfillingness’ Fleetwood Finale      For more reviews visit Steve Shail’s site here!
 

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