It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
It was a night packed with evocative sentiment and rich musical collaborations as Art Wood�s �All Stars� took to the stage of the Eel Pie on Wednesday. This is the second occasion of late that Ron Wood and brother Art have jammed together at the UK�s most influential R n�B club. Eel Pie Island�s pedigree has been assured since the beginning of British blues, playing host to young pretenders including Cyril Davies� all stars, John Mayall�s Bluesbreakers (including Eric Clapton), The Who and Downliners Sect in the �60�s. Since it�s relatively recent re-opening in 2000, many elder statesmen of the original scene have generously endorsed the club with some electric performances and spontaneous celebrity jams.
Following a number of recent appearances tracing his musical roots with Rod Stewart and Bill Wyman�s Rhythm Kings, Ronnie Wood selected a further fitting session. Arriving with his usual larger than life persona, Ron introduced this as a sublime family evening with his wife Jo and adult kids also in the house. Dressed in a striking brown leather hyde and medallion, he was determined to make the occasion a home not far from his own. Ronnie called the tune to an extent, playing five numbers, negotiated with a degree of sibling rivalry- but make no mistake, Art and Ron are the best of friends. �What a great brother he is to have!� declared Art. �Smokestack Lightning� kicked off with Mark Freeman on drums. Mick Avory of the Kinks soon appeared to complete the line-up comprising Don Craine (rhythm guitar), Keith Grant (bass) of Downliners Sect, Pete French (vocals), and Mick Green �Pirates (guitar). This was an awesome orchestra to have in place, as they treated us to Little Walter�s �My Babe,� Ron quipped about Art�s secret life as a teddy boy.. Perhaps the highlight was �Midnight Special� with Ronnie insisting Art take the guitar to reminisce on the first song he taught him; the bait was kicked back to Ron, with Mick Green finally assuming some dexterous guitar work. �Hoochie Coochie Man�, a classic Art Wood number took us up to a rousing encore as Mark Freeman returned to play his sticks, thrashing the night to an end on �Sweet Little Rock and Roller� way past closing time!
This was a marvellous night recreating the origins of early blues and rock n� roll, transposing the venue full circle to the uninhibited gigs of the 60�s with a true community feel. The event was a treat too for the musicians in Art�s All Star band & proved to be �an amazing musical experience, working with the two best rhythm guitarists in the UK� for Mark Freeman. Like the rest of the �house band�, he has used the benefit of his talents to support the bricks and mortar of the Eel Pie over the past few years; it�s great to receive such a marvellous reciprocal gift back- but Ronnie has always been altruistic both in and outside of his performances.
For more information please visit: www.eelpieclub.com.
Other Ronnie Wood reports on IORR:
It's Only Rock'n Roll 2000 - 2004
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