1 (edited by hansamike 2014-06-22 03:11:52)

Topic: Read all about it - Walking Papers

Had the good fortune to catch WP in a tiny club in Hamburg this last Tuesday. What a tremendous outfit. Terrific performance.

Yeah, Duff can play stadiums around the world when he wants, but in his downtime he wants to do this and who could blame him? It is clear he gets a massive vibe from playing in this band.

The stage was only about the size of my bathroom. Ego's were clearly checked at the door. This band have excellent songs, a FANTASTIC rhythm section, nice organ and keyboards sound and the real joker of the pasck in Jeff Angell on guitar and vocals.

There are guitarists who sing, like Joe and then there are the other variety, like Angell. He doesn't have Steve Marriott's voice, but he does have his attitude. He is a master of 'less is more' on guitar with a heavy sound, lots of style and he has good pipes to boot.

I was trying to find some way of describing him and it came to me on the night. If Al Pacino, circa late '70's, could play guitar and sing then he would be Jeff Angell. He just has that danger about him. He seems to have this crazy Robert Carlyle (actor) look going on and is never less than riveting. Can he play? He certainly can, but he doesn't overdo it because the whole band play the songs and try to get them across.

I bought the album afterwards but I have to say it doesn't do them justice. The songs were all there but I felt it was poorly produced and missed the swagger of the live band.

They are terrific musicians will a repetoire steeped in r&b, blues, straight out rock and believe or not I think there was a rumba in there at the end of the set.

There is no doubt they could and maybe should be playing bigger stages than Hamburg Rock Cafe. I don't imagine the door money (19 euros) covered the cost of the limo and washing Duff's sweaty leathers, but he seems very happy doing it. Long may he feel that way. Catch them if you can.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012

Re: Read all about it - Walking Papers

I have a vision now of Al Pacino playing guitar and when he solos saying :here say hello to my little friends!

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

Re: Read all about it - Walking Papers

Thanks for a great review, Mike. I have a mental picture of the band playing in your bathroom. smile

After such a small stage they won't know what to do with themselves on a festival stage on Saturday at Clapham. After reading your review I was really looking forward to seeing WP, but now I've found out they are playing the second stage at the same time as Joe is on the main stage, I'm not so happy. sad

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56

Re: Read all about it - Walking Papers

Maybe there will be some overun on the main stage and you can catch a couple of songs of theirs. It will be worth it I am sure. I'll be interested to hear what you think.

I may have been over egging the size of my bathroom, but you know what I mean......

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012

Re: Read all about it - Walking Papers

Nah Jane. I'm in it for the long haul. Only 9048 posts and I'm on yer tail......................

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012