Jack Bruce, Robin Trower and Gary Husband played their first UK gig at The Empire, Shepherds Bush, London on Wednesday, 5 August 2009. Having conquered Europe back in February and July, it was a fabulous homecoming for the three master musicians, returning in some style.

The near capacity crowd within the tastefully refurbished former music hall and television theatre were treated to an absolutely blistering show. It was, simply, magic.

The setlist was largely unchanged from their early shows on the continent and as featured on the brand new BHT ‘Seven Moons Live’ CD and DVD set.

Folks, if you haven’t purchased either of these items you need to buy them both now!

Once again, Jack sang the songs, played the bass and introduced all the music. Gary stormed around his kit with his usual boundless energy and panache. Robin dug deep to pull out some deep blues solos. There was an air of calm among the three musicians now totally ‘in the groove’ with the tremendous vibe they have created and crafted so effortlessly. From start to finish, it was pure unabashed pleasure. What’s more, it was clear they were having a ball (and so were we!}

The set list was:
1. Seven Moons
2. Lives of Clay
3. Distant Places of the Heart
4. Sunshine of your Love
5. Carmen
6. Perfect Place
7. We're Going Wrong
8. So Far to Yesterday
9. Just Another Day
10. The Last Door
11. Bad Case of Celebrity
12. Come to Me
13. White Room
Encore:
14. Politician.

Incidentally, there are 14 tracks on the DVD and 13 on the CD, the missing track being ‘She’s not the One’ which was not performed tonight. ‘We’re Going Wrong’ didn’t make it onto either the DVD or CD.

The Empire is somewhat bigger than the venues we have been used to seeing Robin playing in since his return to the live stage in his own country in 2005. IMHO it is one of only a handful of venues in the Capital alongside places such as the O2 Indigo which offers great sound. The audience didn’t quite reach the numbers at Nijmegen but there were plenty of Trower fans flying the flag in their 2005, 2006 and 2008 UK tour T-shirts.

It was great to bump into trusted soundmen Laurie Brace and Steve Russell before the show. Knowing how hard these guys work and the very professional way in which they pack up a show and then drive direct to the next venue, I had to say I didn’t envy them on their long journey up the M1/M6 to Glasgow, later that evening. Then again the 400-mile drive is probably a drop in the ocean compared to some of the distances travelled Stateside. Thanks to these guys, there wasn’t a single technical blemish all night at the Empire.

It was great to meet up with John and Jackie for a pre-show bite at O’Neills and, later on, Ronnie and Sylvie Kerrigan, Ronnie’s mate Bobby and Tony C. I also met Nick Denbow for the first time since our one-off show for VDM some three years ago. As a huge Level 42 and John McLaughlin fan, I had seen Gary Husband play live many times before but I hadn’t had the chance to meet him until tonight. From the sounds of it there may yet be more to come from Bruce Husband Trower. We saw Matthew Fisher and his family leaving via the stage door at the end of the evening.

The Empire, Shepherds Bush, London. Wednesday 5 August 2009.
Words and pictures by Alan Howard.

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