Just pure rock and roll
REVIEW: George Thorogood and the Destroyers @Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sunday, June 4 MY first reaction, when George Thorogood walked onto the stage brandishing a guitar, wearing shades and a snakeskin design bandana was just to grin widely. Is this guy
REVIEW: George Thorogood and the Destroyers @Cambridge Corn Exchange,
Sunday, June 4
MY first reaction, when George Thorogood walked onto the stage brandishing a guitar, wearing shades and a snakeskin design bandana was just to grin widely. "Is this guy for real? Is this a joke?"
Yes he's for real and no it's not a joke - George Thorogood goes out of his way to deliver two things when he's on stage - rock and roll - pure and simple.
You may also want to watch:
"I'm gonna try my hardest to get arrested tonight - somebody's gotta get arrested for rock and roll - it might as well be me."
The bad-to-the-bone lines are delivered with his tongue barely in his cheek. After one track, he makes his way to the microphone to address the audience. You ponder for a second what he might have to say - a little history about the song? A political rant? Some rock star philosophising? None of it. "Baby, it's great to be alive!" And the crowd roar back their approval. You can't help but love this guy.
Most Read
- 1 What are the outstanding primary schools in Huntingdonshire?
- 2 Patients avoided going to the doctor out of fear of 'catching Covid'
- 3 'Savage' attack left man without spleen
- 4 Hoax caller flouted strict court order after just three days
- 5 Woman jailed for knife-point robbery
- 6 'We want to help our market towns' - Funding plans extended due to pandemic
- 7 Threatening domestic abuser tracked and assaulted ex partner of 10 years
- 8 Homebirths suspended at Hinchingbrooke Hospital due to staff shortages
- 9 Huntingdon care home company scoops award in region's top 20
- 10 Olive Indian receives service award for a second year
But let me mention the music - the perfect accompaniment to his larger-than-life character. At first it sounds like a slightly edgy Status Quo - never straying far from classic rock and blues structures - but quickly it progresses to become something much more. Thorogood's voice is powerful and his guitar-playing incredible - especially his magnificent slide-playing. The Destroyers alongside him are excellent too - with the saxophone helping to echo the E-Street Band at times. When rock and roll is played this well it's all you need.
CHRIS BOLAND
