King King -“King King Live”

What must it be like growing up in a city, dreaming of filling your local venue like all your heroes have done before you? Then ask yourself, what must be like to fulfil that dream? Ask King King, whose sold-out hometown concert at O2 ABC in Glasgow on 14th May 2016 is superbly captured on this beautifully mixed and mastered CD.

Having been fortunate enough to catch the band at two gigs this year – the first at The Epstein in Liverpool supported by Laurence Jones, the second at The Academy in Manchester supported by Dan Patlansky – then the quality of the musicianship was never going to be in doubt.

More open to question was whether they could capture the atmosphere these four guys generate when they’re on stage. The answer is a resounding yes, with Alan Nimmo’s charisma, guitar skills and vocal power shining through every pore of each and every track.

That he is more than ably backed by a consummate band consisting of Lindsay Coulson (bass), Wayne Proctor (drums) and Bob Fridzema (keyboards) helps, with the tightness of their hours on the road anchoring everything they do.

Waking Up is so tight it is as though it is being used as a musical tourniquet, whereas the opening track, Lose Control, sets the mood from the off and never once does it drop. Rush Hour is as dynamic here as it is on Reaching for the Light – if not more so with Nimmo’s call and response adding to the excitement and joy – whereas the magnificence of the main man’s artistry is never better expressed than during the solo he conjures up for Stranger To Love.

If you missed the band on the road earlier this year, fear not. They are back out doing what they do best in the autumn, with support coming from the superb Broken Witt Rebels. For now though, bask in the live warmth that is rock solid blues as performed in the inimitable style of one of the genres finest exponents, King King. You are guaranteed to be far from disappointed in what is 90 minutes of musical heaven.

Track Listing

Disc: 1

1. Lose Control
2. Wait On Time
3. Waking Up
4. Rush Hour
5. Long History Of Love
6. More Than I Can Take

Disc: 2

1. You Stopped The Rain
2. Jealousy
3. Crazy
4. All Your Life
5. Stranger To Love
6. Let Love In

Label: Manhaton Records

ASIN: B01M11YK3M

Released on the 21 October, 2016