29/10/2014 Bernie Torme @ The Borderline

This is the first time I've actually managed to see Bernie Torme in his own right, although I still remember queuing up outside a sold out Marquee in the hope of getting in back in the day. We never did get in that night. However,  I've managed to see him with the amazing G.M.T. three times in recent years - see elsewhere in my blog...

This rainy Wednesday night sees the Irish guitar wizard playing to a pretty full West End club to support his new double album 'Flowers & Dirt' - his first solo record in many years.

This date is part of a short tour - like the new album it's his first solo effort for many years, although he has in more recent years been active gigging and releasing albums with G.M.T. - a band who I hope we haven't seen the last of...

Mr Torme is on fine form tonight and is backed most effectively by the rhythm section who also played on his new album. Bernie has taken the Pledgemusic fan funding route for the new 'Flowers & Dirt' double album and I think has been taken by surprise at how popular this project has proved. The 20 track album that has resulted is rather good.

Guitar pyrotechnics are provided in plenty tonight - it's quite obvious why Ozzy Osbourne chose Bernie to step in after the tragic and sudden death of Randy Roades in mid-tour. No reliance on fancy modern technology and loads of effects pedals here - just an overdriven Stratocaster though cranked up Marshall amps. Let the music do the talking!

The setlist is varied and spans the man's career well - from his days with Gillan to the new album. Although Bernie could be considered a 'flash' guitarist it's a no-bullshit set. No multiple guitar changes - in fact I think the same guitar was used all night with minimal retuning required in spite of the abuse it suffered at the hands of it's owner! Bernie likes to play LOUD - just ask Jasper Carrot! This is something I noticed when he played with G.M.T. and the battered and ancient Marshall amps he used with that band have been replaced by new looking ones for this tour. One thing that hasn't changed is that Bernie manages to get the biggest fattest sound out of a Fender Stratocaster with single coil pickups I've ever heard - even Stevie Ray Vaughan's famously fat Strat sound seems thin in comparison.

This power-trio is tight and well drilled as you'd expect and obviously enjoy playing together.

I'm pleased that the band play 'Turn Out The Lights' as I still have that album on dusty white vinyl to remind me of the time vainly queuing outside a sold out Marquee. One or two G.M.T. songs get an airing too, and well as obviously some stuff from the new 'Flowers & Dirt' album. Although friendly and down to earth if you meet him in person Bernie is quite a showman - without going O.T.T. with posing and shape throwing - he manages to strike a nice balance while still giving people a memorable performance.

I'm really pleased that the last two songs in the set are ''Trouble' and 'New Orleans' - one of which was how I first discovered Bernie Torme back in the day when I saw him on Top Of The Pops with Ian Gillan's band.

At the end of the show a guest (apparently one of the 'Pledgers' for the new album).is invited onto the stage to play guitar on Hendix cover 'Fire'.

Tonight proves to be well worth the wait of all those years to finally see Bernie Torme play a solo show. Let's hope I don't have to wait so long next time - although I'd love to see G.M.T. again as well.