My brother-in-law is a big fan of John McLaughlin; he and my sister booked early and had managed to get front row seats. We were a little slower off the mark and were back in row MM.
We met up for a meal beforehand in The Archduke a short stroll from the RFH. I cannot go to the Archduke without remembering the time I went there with a crowd of colleagues from BIS (Applied Systems) for a team outing. We were all horribly hungover the next morning and I mean everyone, even the hardened drinkers.
We were all well used to session drinking and knew our limits but this was qualitatively different. I am quite convinced we drank adulterated wine as it was the time of the "anti freeze in wine scandal". You may mock but I am convinced. For us all to be that unwell was unique and never repeated.
I really enjoyed the support act Hedvig Mollestad Trio who belted out an eclectic mix of styles. At one point even I thought I heard a riff reminiscent of T.Rex's Twentieth Century Boy. Plus it doesn't do any harm for a band to be fronted by a woman with long blonde hair and a short red dress.
KWC Today wrote, "The Mollestad trio is a powerful trio and opened this memorable evening and played an excellent set with a programme ranging from jazz fusion, psychedelica to sheer hard rock in the vein of Led Zeppelin." Full review...
The Arts Desk wrote, "Support came from the Norwegian Hedvig Mollestad Trio, with lead guitarist Mollestad, clearly pregnant, a superb role model as well as atmospheric prog guitarist of the highest standard. [...] With the sonic impact of a serious metal outfit, but the rhythmic playfulness of a jazz trio". Full review...
After the interval it was the turn of John McLaughlin and the Fourth Dimension. As the lights went down we saw the Hedvig Mollestad Trio tip-toe into seats a couple of rows in front of us.
KWC Today wrote, "In 4th Dimension, John McLaughlin assembled an accomplished, creative and fiery band. The tight and incredibly talented unit draws on the musical diversity from all parts of the world. Broadly speaking it is jazz fusion with a hint of blues and the result is quite stunning." Full review...
The Arts Desk wrote, "The repertoire and style was largely familiar, much of it released on the band’s album earlier this year, the pieces in many cases reworked from earlier McLaughlin material. But it was remarkable for the excellence and of the ensemble playing. The sensitivity and sheer quality of interaction within the band embodied the interest in loving spirituality that drives much of McLaughlin’s work perhaps more convincingly than the lyrics the band sung." Full review...
Next up - "Celebrating 75 years of Blue Note Records" on Saturday...
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