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My son Sam and I drove down to Falmouth for the Blues in the Bay festival, this Saturday. Arriving at 3pm we listened
to a couple of local bands - Blue on Black and The Bucket Boys.They both played good sets with some stoking guitar work on blues and R & B numbers.Next to follow was the energetic Larry Miller who really got the
crowd in the mood with some fast action guitar.
After an early evening interlude, Southend-outfit The Hamsters took to the stage and proved worthy forerunners to the main event with some stonking
numbers including a 'lets all change instruments' at the end of their set.
At their exit Laurie set to work checking levels all round before Robin took to the stage. By this time Sam and I had
positioned ourselves right in front of Robin. Interesting to note his amplification set up of two Marshall combos and cabinets.......didn't affect his sound at all though.
The set list played was as at previous gigs and started with a very powerful rendition of Confessin Midnight with Richard’s vocals providing a gruff foil to the
sailing guitar. After some golden oldies, an absolutely incredible version of Bridge of Sighs.....have seen Robin play this on a number of occasions but tonight his playing
was sublime, beautiful, structured and going to places I've not heard before.As mentioned in another review the slow passage of The Turning was hauntingly beautful in its tone and texture.
Richard and Chris provided a refreshing air to the rhythm section being tight and supportive to Robin's searing guitar.Robin did have a couple of problems with his guitar going out of tune but this
didn't detract from the quality of delivery.
To loud cheers and applause the band returned for their encore and Robin truely nailed a memorable version of Daydream to bring the evening to a close. We left the hall stunned at the mastery stunned at the mastery of this guitar icon absolutely enthralled at the quality of his performance. For me this ranked alongside the Southampton 'Brook' gig of 2010. Powerful, beautiful tone and phrasing and yet another remarkable event.
Reviewed by Jim and Sam Pearce.
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