This report was written by Mick Penn. Thanks!

THE GIG

We got to the gig just as the support band was playing their last song. They sounded pretty decent but a bit too heavy for my liking, then again I can't make a fair judgement on a half listen to just one song while buying a beer.

The venue was very good, a standing area in front of the stage with a couple of rows of raised seats further back. Beyond this there were a couple of bars and service was excellent even though there was a decent sized crowd in the place. Talking of crowds, based on this gig I can see why it was the Euro gigs that went ahead, not any UK ones, as the crowd was bigger than any of the recent UK gigs except London.

Aound 10pm, Dan walked on to the stage followed by Mauro, Ken, Keith and the wine.

There then followed almost 2.5 hours of fun. I have no set list written down but I think it was all the usual suspects and the only song I expected to hear and didn't was 'Six Years Gone'. A surprising highlight of the gig was an extended version of 'Hush' : it is surprising as I just do not like that song - never liked any version I've heard of it - but it turned in to a 15 minute 'wig out' with Dan, Ken & Keith all taking centre stage with their own guitar solo's : Dan & Keith swapping instruments during the song so we didn't have to suffer a bass solo. Additional backing vocals on 'Hush' were supplied by Ian & Julian, two thirds of the hard working tour crew : luckily Mick Brown, the other third, kept well away from the microphone :-)

Strange moments ? Of course there were ! For the encore Dan started with 'Another Chance' and then the rest of the guys appeared all wearing towels on their head, not sure of the relevance but they seemed to like it. Another time, Dan asked for more sound in Mauro's wedges and Keith said 'I'd rather have a 9 iron than a sand wedge'.

Songs from the Satellite days, Dan's solo days, and Mothballs along with a selection of covers were belted out by a band that you could see were having fun. In my opinion they were as good as any version of the Georgia Satellites and connected bands that I have seen : definitely the best Dan Baird & Friends line up, better than the Rick & Rick Satellites, better than Keith & The Satellites (though that was an event, not just a gig) and as good if not better than the late '80's 'proper' (in chart success terms) Satellites. The band was tight but loose at the same time and most importantly the band and the crowd were visibly enjoying it.

There has been some disappointment that the band didn't include Rick Richards as originally planned and while that would have been good for old times sake, I can safely say he wasn't missed. I'll leave those that want to play politics with the band to do what they want : in the mean time I'll just go and see a real band that wants to play to it's fans : a fantastic trip to see a fantastic gig.

Dan, Ken, Mauro & Keith : thank you, you were excellent. Mick, Julian & Ian : thanks for getting them there.

When they are next back, I'll definitely be there and will definitely go to Frankfurt again too.

Cheers, Mick.