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.

"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.

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