I don’t normally go to see tribute bands, but this one seemed to promise something special and a direct linkage to Ritchie Blackmore. Deep purple, and Ritchie Blackmore in particular, were heroes of mine, and both of them still are, in their current Incarnations.
There was, and still is, no one quite like Ritchie Blackmore: his guitar playing and style, his man in black outfits with his spooky hat and the way in which he blended classical with folk (ish) rock music in a way no one else did nor has done so since.
The Fire Station website tempted me: “Blackmore’s Blood’s reputation for presenting the authentic tribute to the genius, flamboyance and flair of Ritchie Blackmore’s music from Deep Purple and Rainbow, incorporating his true sound and showmanship, has brought critical acclaim and a demand for more shows nationwide.”
“Formed in the Northeast of England [I was not aware of the link to the north-east ] but with members from across the UK, they share an unequalled determination, commitment and passion to reproduce the look and sound that fans of these two great bands want to see and hear.”
“Guitarist Mal is a true blood-relative of Ritchie Blackmore. He has his look and an unrivalled ability to play and sound like him too. With support and acknowledgement from personnel who have worked with Ritchie, it is clear why this is the closest and the finest tribute to Ritchie Blackmore anyone is likely to see.”
It was great to meet up with old friends in the bar, one of whom brought me up to speed on this band. She told me how the guitarist Mal also fronts a rock band which plays in pubs and clubs around the north-east. She has seen him on a number of occasions, and he told her that he has checked out his genealogy and he is definitely linked to Ritchie Blackmore through previous generations. Interesting and intriguing. My friends assured me that I was in for a treat.
And it surely was a treat. The guy in question, Mal, does have a resemblance to Ritchie and he certainly dresses the part. His guitar playing is a fitting tribute to Blackmore and the choice of repertoire is impeccable. Perhaps a little too much Rainbow and a little more Deep Purple would have made the show even more enjoyable for me, but hey this was a pretty great concert. The rest of the band are all excellent musicians, and the singer has very powerful voice which does justice to the epic songs.
The show opens with the Rainbow classic “over the Rainbow” and then we are taken back to 1974 and memories of Newcastle Odeon when I and my mates (one of whom was present at the Fire Station show) went to see the new Deep Purple line up featuring the great vocals of David Coverdale and with Blackmore’s singer to be, Ronnie James Dio in the support band Elf. Yes, the second song was “Burn”. Fantastic. Mal (Ritchie) was on fire (no pun intended) already. Soon another later chart hit for Blackmore “I Surrender”. Once again, an excellent choice and an excellent rendition of a fantastic song. Soon, returning to Burn and “Mistreated”. Yet another classic delivered well.
After a short interval, time for drink with friends and back to our seats for more classic rock. Two songs in and current deep purple opening song “Highway Star”, taking me back to Newcastle City Hall and Deep Purple in concert with Nazareth supporting them, when I first heard that song. This was soon followed by ”Stargazer”, another Rainbow favourite song of mine, perhaps my second favourite song by Rainbow after “Man on the Silver Mountain” which they performed as part of the first set.
Then the moving ballad “When a Blind Man Cries”, quickly onwards with what has almost become the Deep Purple signature tune “Smoke on The Water” and my favourite “Black Night”. At this point Mal is going crazy holding his Stratocaster high up in the air and then scraping it backwards and forwards along the edge of the stage. The sort of guitar histrionics which Blackmore would demonstrate in the 1970s. I recall him climbing up the guitar stacks, up onto the balcony of Newcastle City Hall and then banging a hole into the side of the front balcony. The hole was left there for many years as a memento of the occasion. Magic.
And that word “magic” just about sums up the show. Mal may or may not be a true blood relation of Ritchie Blackmore, but he certainly brings his legacy back to life. Blackmore’s Blood are as close to the real thing that we can get to at the moment. They close with “Since You Been Gone” another magical rock power ballad. Great fun.
Many thanks to Jan for the photos and Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: Set One: Over The Rainbow; Burn; Stormbringer; Man On The Silver Mountain; Catch The Rainbow; I Surrender; Temple of the King; Mistreated; Perfect Strangers; Knocking at Your Back Door
Set Two: Gates Of Babylon; Highway Star; Spotlight Kid; Stargazer; A Light In The Black; Soldier Of Fortune; When a Blind Man Cries; Smoke On The Water; Black Night; All Night Long, Since You been Gone
Encore: Long Live Rock n Roll
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