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.
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"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.
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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
