Average White Band + Lights Out by Nine

average white band + lights out by nine

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Date

29th Aug 2009

Event Description

Average White Band

First and foremost, the Average White Band were a band of music fans - they would meet as ex-pat soul brothers frequenting the clubs of London; nodding their acquaintance, glad of each other's musical love. Some of the group had already been on a No. 1 record by Chuck Berry and the band had supported Eric Clapton on his legendary 'comeback concert' on 13th January 1973. They had toured the US with equipment borrowed from the Who. They had signed to MCA and although their debut album, Show Your Hand had been warmly received, it sold next to nothing. It resulted in the label rejecting their new demos, cut at Clover Studios in L.A.

While in America, they came to the attention of legendary Atlantic producer, Jerry Wexler, who was immediately impressed with what he heard. The man who fully expected them, by being so Scottish, to 'flush a covey of grouse' when he first encountered them, was delighted by their taut and muscular funk, and he set about wresting them from MCA boss Artie Mogul. “Their funk hit me where I live, their tape was great and I wanted to sign them on the spot,” was Wexler's verdict. There was something upbeat and fun seeping out of their new grooves. Of course that tape led to the eponymous hit album that saw them top the US R&B and pop charts simultaneously in 1975.

Names and faces have understandibly changed over the years (life – and death – will do that to you) but founding members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre still lead the way with a formidable lineup including 3 of America’s finest, Klyde Jones – now Alan’s vocal partner – Fred Vigdor, the sax wizard, and New York's Rocky Bryant at the kit. What hasn’t changed is the attitude or the sound, and those who have been at recent concerts know that here is one night of the year they can count on the real deal. You don’t get to make a total of fifteen albums (a new collection entitled Greatest & Latest comes out in August), and tour for this long without doing something extremely right.

AWB will be on the road this year and will be performing a broad cross section of their musical history, plus the newest soulful additions to their book – truly a greatest and latest tour, and a chance to check out what all the fuss was about in the first place, and why Average White Band have a righteous place among the ranks of the BB Kings, the Claptons, the Isleys and the Al Greens of this world.

Lights Out by Nine

Lights Out By Nine play powerhouse rhythm and blues, and have now developed a collection of their own original songs, which is commanding a growing amount of media attention. With 6 albums available on ITunes, and a new live DVD on general release, the band are being heard all over the world, demonstrated by a recent top 3 album chart position (for their ‘Make Your Own Luck’ album) on American radio.

The band continue to build on their growing reputation as a great live act, playing gigs and festivals all over the UK, and supporting some of the best known names in blues, rock and soul. Various television and radio appearances, including a live session for BBC Radio 2, recorded at the legendary Maida Vale studios in London last year, plus live footage from the Maryport Blues Festival shown on ITV, have further increased the band’s national standing and credibility. Over the years, LOBN have opened on 6 previous occasions for their good friends AWB, in various parts of Scotland and England, confirming that this double bill is not to be missed!

Date : 29th August 2009
Doors : 7pm
Tickets : £15
Available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Third Base Records, Chapel Street, Dunfermline, 01383 722554
Theatre Box Office, opening hours 9am to 4pm.