![[hand]](/hs-pics/portraits/hands/morse5.jpg)
![[face]](/hs-pics/portraits/faces/gillan.jpg)
Bolin fan enjoys Bournemouth
This was my first visit to the BIC and my first ‘name’ concert in a few years. So I wasn’t sure what I was in for! But the venue was great – just the right size and good facilities.
First up ‘Thin Lizzy’ – hmmmm… I saw the Robertson/Gorham line ups in days of yore and this really was just a ‘tribute to…’ I preferred Sykes in Whitesnake. Still it was nice to hear some of the old Lizzy hits even if Tommy Aldridge did mess up Emerald a bit. But going out as Thin Lizzy? Hmmm, dunno.
Styx. I didn’t really know any of their stuff but what a revelation! I thought they were really good fun, hamming it up all over the place. I vaguely remember them from a Sounds revue but wasn’t really interested in those days. Great players and it looked as though they enjoyed it. Just the right side of Spinal Tap. Great.
And so to the Purps. The last Purple gig I went to was in 1976 with Tommy Bolin! (who I was a big fan of and desperately wanted to do well) and in fact I’ve never even seen them with Gillan.
They were fantastic. Tight, punchy, great sounding – this line up really seems to gel.
I had wondered about a Lordless Purple but Don Airey has stepped up to the part brilliantly (I always like his playing with Colosseum II). Great friendly vibe.
The set was pretty good, but I must admit I am not the greatest Machine Head fan. That said they played all the numbers with gusto. Ian’s voice was particularly good.
I do have to concur with some other reviews that more newer material would have been welcome, which would allow mr. Morse’s talents to really shine.
Favourites? When a blind man cries, Into the fire, Rapture of the Deep and The Battle Rages On.
Yep, great stuff and I think I’ll come again.
Jonathan Barry
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