Danny Vaughn - Nottingham Rock City Gig Review

Many of you will be already familiar with Danny Vaughn, as both former lead singer of Tyketto and Waysted and also as a solo artist in his own right. His latest CD, 'Traveller', is set for release in a week’s time, but rather than doing a traditional listening party where the new material is played over the PA, Danny and his now settled and full-time band of Tony Marshall and Pat Heath (guitars), Steve McKenna (bass) and Lee Morris (drums) wanted to do something as a thank-you to all the fans that have supported the band over the years.

Accordingly, they came up with the idea of putting on a ten-track live show, mixing eight of the new songs with a couple of old favourites thrown in for good measure. At a reduced entry fee of just £6, this really did represent great value for the crowd packed into The Rig.The audience seemed in good cheer for an early start, kicking off just after 8pm with the intro to new album opener “Miracle Days” and right away Mr. Vaughn was on top form, clearly enjoying himself and belting out the new material with pride. In my humble opinion, Danny Vaughn has the finest voice I’ve ever heard and it is a genuine pleasure to hear him sing.

An enthusiastic crowd response to the set opener gave way to “Restless Blood”, another up-tempo offering from the new platter. I had read that the new material was some of the heaviest of Danny’s career, but my immediate reaction was of a very similar vibe to the Fearless album. After the short (but sweet !!) “That’s What She Says” came the excellent “Lifted” and the whole band had smiles on their faces and the atmosphere was relaxed and intimate as befitted the whole tone of the evening.

Danny introduced “The Warrior’s Way” as being a song he originally wrote for Bob Catley, but, with a twin guitar attack for the first time in his career, it was one he decided to keep for the album in the end. In a splendidly timed piece of irony, cue Tony Marshall’s guitar developing a technical fault and giving up the ghost. However, with a smile, Vaughn laughed the incident off and had the audience engaged with his naturalness and banter. “The Touch Of Your Hand” followed and then it was the first of the two old favourites – “Burning Down Inside” from Tyketto’s Don’t Come Easy album, giving the crowd the welcome opportunity to really get involved, singing along enthusiastically.

With the first of the old numbers out of the way, it was back to the new album for “Badlands Rain” before a rousing rendition of the Vaughn favourite “Is That All There Is” which went down a storm as always. The set was rounded off with the title track from the new album, “Traveller” itself. And, even on this first hearing, sounded awesome and a future live classic.

So, an hour and a bit after they took the stage, they left to thunderous applause, but not before announcing some special acoustic dates supporting Journey in March, as well as a proper tour in support of the new album in May. Based on this performance 'Traveller' is gonna prove extremely popular when it hits the streets next week and with the live dates on the way should enhance Vaughn and co's reputation as one of the premier melodic/hard rock acts around today.

With the live stuff out of the way it was down to the series events of the night, as all of the band spent the next hour or so chatting with fans, signing stuff and posing for photos. You couldn’t wish to meet a more down-to-earth bunch and perhaps this is why they seem to have such a special place in the hearts of the UK’s melodic rock crowd. This was a great idea for something a bit different, a genuine treat for the fans and a great initial showcase for some new songs that I’m sure we’ll all be singing along to on the tour in May. Great stuff!!!.