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Before Jeff Scott Soto and Tempestt
hit the stage, it was down to hard working local band, Crimes Of
Passion, to get the crowd warmed up and they must feel quite at home in
front of the Corporation crowd by now, as this was the fifth time I have
seen them perform in a support slot over the past couple of years. They
might be on familiar ground but Dale Radcliffe gave it nothing short of
100% and the set continues to become tighter each time they perform, so
it was a bit of a surprise when they announced that founding bassist
Kris Hudson-Lee had decided to call it a day at the end of the White
Lion UK tour in June. However, all seemed very amicable and I’m sure
they have plans in place already to get a new bassist on board.
Highlights of the set tonight were “Dream Of Me” and “Unbreakable”, with
Deep Purples “Holy Diver” proving a crowd pleaser once again.
The remainder of the show was a little unusual from the point of view
that Tempestt were to be Jeff Scott Soto’s backing band but only after
they had played a set of their own material taken mainly from debut
album, “Bring ‘Em On”. This actually worked surprisingly well and the
crowd certainly warmed to Tempestt, even though the material was
generally unfamiliar, at least until they threw in a great cover version
of Europe’s “Start From The Dark”, part way through the set. However,
their own material was perfectly strong enough to carry the crowd, with
highlights being the title track from the album and “Faked By Time”
before they launched into the excellent “Insanity Desire” which finally
brought Jeff Scott Soto to the stage to duet with Tempestt vocalist BJ.
The duet signaled the transition and whilst it may not have been a
capacity crowd, the noise certainly notched up a level or two as they
acknowledged the headliner for the evening. This is the first time I
have seen JSS since he performed with Journey in Manchester Apollo last
year and the contrast could not be greater in terms of venue and crowd
size but there is no doubting he was going to give 110% as he launched
into “Eyes Of Love”, followed by “Take You Higher”. JSS is quiet the
entertainer too as he tries to explain to his Portuguese speaking
backing band the meaning of “taking the piss” after suggesting they do
Toto’s “Rosana” to a rather perplexed guitarist, Gustavo Barros. He also
shared more than a few comments with the appreciative audience. Talisman
track “Crazy” was next up followed by “Stand Up and Shout” but highlight
of the evening must go to an excellent version of “Tears In The Sky”
which had Soto complimenting his back-up band for their work.
It’s fast and furious throughout and over too soon for most but a final
extended version of Deep Purple’s “Burn” ensured that everyone headed
home happy and with the promise of a new album before playing Firefest
in October, this will fortunately not be the last time the amiable Mr.
Scott Soto graces these shores this year. |
