From Black Rose to Buena Vista

Two very different but equally impressive live experiences this last weekend. First up, our long overdue homage to the late, great Phil Lynott as Limehouse Lizzy returned to the Point on Friday 2nd March. Certainly on form (and not just lead singer Wayne Ellis, mmmm!) After a late doors, the band came on for a 2 hour set. They started off with Jailbreak (with added pyro), the rest of the main set comprising known songs like Dancing In The Moonlight, Warrior, Emerald, Johnny the Fox, Are You Ready, Killer On The Loose, Cold Sweat, Do Anything You Want To, Out In The Fields, Cowboy Song, Rosalie, The Boys Are Back In Town plus at least 1 early track. The encore included 1 verse/1 chorus from Sarah, Black Rose, Whisky In The Jar and another track. Excellent atmosphere, the place was sold out. The boys are back at the Point in December.



Next on to crowd pleasers of a very different sort. M and I managed to get tickets for the sold-out Buena Vista Social Club show at Wales Millennium Centre. We arrived prompt to an early evening performance by local ensemble Canton Café Orchestra, who were well received. A prompt start for the main show, even from our upper circle seats there was still a good view of the stage. The Buena Vista Social Club band - Guajiro Mirabel, Manuel Galban, Cachaito Lopez and Aguaje Ramos, plus supporting musicians & singers - were simply fantastic and each song (21 in the set list) received wholehearted support from the audience. Each track, and the set as a whole, also allowed the individual artists to have their own moments in the spotlight. The only down side, as a theatre set up there wasn't much of an opportunity to get up and boogie! The brass section of the band were certainly having their own dance whilst not playing. There was a stupendous round of applause to end the night, and as the show was over quite early, a few people stayed for drinks in the foyer bar. We were certainly impressed with the acoustics & atmosphere of the auditorium as well. And as for the music - a trip to Spillers in the near future to check out the various releases, which are also detailed on the World Circuit Records website. For more information on the docufilm, try Wim Wenders' own website.