Some five months after the original date for this gig, back in October 2006, Shepherd Bush Empire finally saw the legend that is Glenn Hughes take to the stage. But first off came Toby Jepson. With a totally different line up to that which toured with Jepson last year the former Little Angels frontman was restricted to a half hour set. With a new EP, Guitar Bass & Drum, to promote Jepson was all about the present with this performance, neglecting any Little Angels material in favour of his solo work. Indeed of the five songs featured on the new CD three got an airing in the Empire alongside older solo material such as set opener Breakdown and final number Lucky.

 

 

Having seen Jepson a few days earlier as part of his current run of headline dates, the improvement was very noticeable, New lead guitarist Dean Howard moved around the stage like a lead guitarist should and pitched in with some excellent fretwork and  the whole band looked to be enjoying the big stage rather than the more humble venues they have been playing. An half hour that won't have done Jepson's profile or confidence any harm at all.

 

Added to the bill late in the day The Nude Girls were definitely an unknown quantity and to be honest even in hindsight I'm not certain what to make of the outfit. One minute they were a rock band, next metal and then ska and all in four minutes minutes - Bizarre.

 

   

 

Glenn Hughes is probably a  vocalists that you either love or hate. His voice is so distinctive and powerful that there isn't much room for middle ground. Kicking off the set with the opening track from the latest CD, 'Music for the Divine', namely Valiant Denial, before delving into the Soul Mover album for Orion which reallt kick started the crowd. With the brilliant guitar work of Jeff Kollman and Glenn’s signature bass to the fore this was always going to be special. The sound, rocky and yet funky, as befits Hughes' influences can't help but impress and listening to Land Of Living it hit me just how good Hughes is, and then it got even better with Mistreated, a song that never fails to amaze .

 

 

 

There were two songs served up that left me feeling truly elated  firstly 'This Time Around',  showcasing Hughes' vocal prowess to the max, leaving this reviewer, and much of the Crowd in awe - simply stunning. We'll leave the second song till the end but the new material from 'Music For The Divine slotted into the set with ease, 'Stepping On' in particular upping the funk ante. If there was a downside at all it was perhaps the amount of solo's that seemed to be grafted into the set. It seemed that between every 'proper' song the band managed to fit in a solo. All excellently played for sure, but one can only take so much before it becomes repetitive.

 

 

The nights encores tonight consisted of Soul Mover, rather a newish one for a end of night song but one that was enjoyed but to round things out there was Deep Purple's classic 'Burn'. This was the 2^nd song mentioned earlier that truly underlined the talent Hughes' is blessed with - there aren't enough superlatives to throw it's way.  But there has to be an end and with the final bow the smile  on Hughes' face echoed what everyone lucky enough to have been in the Empire must have felt...