Duane Eddy @ 100 Club

[DaveB]

I'll be flying over to see Duane for the first time, can't wait.
Are any Shadows fans attending?

[Tony Szpala]

Dave

If I can get a ticket I'm hoping to go. I'm working at our London factory next week which is'nt a million miles from the 100 Club in London.
I tried to get a ticket for the Greyhound pub (in Sheffield) where Duane is playing on the 24 June but I was told they were all taken within minures of being released last Saturday! Obviously still very, very popular.
I saw Duane at the Opera Theatre in York last year it was excellent - played all the old hits which boght back many happy memories.

Best wishes

Tony

[DaveB]

I went along to the 100 Club on Tuesday, as did Bruce Welch.
Duane played most of his hits with his new adopted backing band. The saxophonist (name unknown to me)superbly complimented Duane with his playing.
Duane is in his 70's now, he is a gentleman, quietly spoken and almost shy.
His hits were well played, but could have done with a bit more "welly"! Ithink Hawleys band showed to much homage to Duane, they should have played as if he was just another one of the lads.

When Richard Hawley came on stage things changed (Bruce had departed at this stage), the show took a turn for the better, the sound seemd to improve as did the bands tempo. Hawley sang two ballads which were absolutley superb ( I am not sure if they are on DE's latest CD) and two tracks from the CD, Curveball and Primevil, these were MAGIC live!
More please!

Dave.

P.S. The venue is not one I'd be running back to.

[JimN]

Thanks for the review, Dave.

Overall, I'm glad I didn't go. I did consider it, but could not face the hassle of parking in the West End (or even worse, catching a train and the Tube).

Still hope to see Duane live some time.

JN

[ala1940]

I saw Duane at the London Pallidium several years ago (1990) and really enjoyed it but lets remember that his sound, the "Twang", is really a "studio" sound that is very difficult to emulate. Really difficult to hump around a "grain storage tank" or the studio echo chamber with four chambers that was also used. So for a 70+ year old. I'm in the same bracket and wished I could play like him, let him play on.Also I see he has gone back to playing with a "thumb pick" in the video's and publicity photo's.

[Tony Szpala]

I agree with Dave B, in essence - the sound balance at the 100 Club was mediocre, to say the least, and for the most part Duane was not turned up loud enough for maximum impact. This was in contrast to his concert at the Grand Opera Theatre in York, last October (2010) where the sound balance was perfect and the evening most pleasant and memorable for my wife and me.
I spoke to Ron Dziubla (Duane's Sax player) commenting on the rather cramped stage at the 'Club. Ron just laughed and said
he had played on much smaller stages in the past - a most pleasant and enthusiastic gentleman and a great sax player.
Also. talked to another Ron (Duane's Guitar Tech) about the usual anorak matters such as Duane's gutar string guages and tunings on his new Gretsch G6120DE Duane Eddy Signature Guitar (just released at a mere £2,400!!) and Baritone Guitar - I won't bore everyone with the full details - especially at this time of night!
The 'Club itself was not the ideal venue (to say the least)for this concert, with standing room only - and unless you managed to stand at the front or are 6ft 6 inches tall then viewing of the stage was very limited, plastic glasses for drinks and disgraceful toilet facilities (one hand dryer which had broken down, an inadequate number of paper towels with no bin to put them in!)
Needles to say I won't be going back to this particular venue - no matter who is playing there!

Best wishes

Tony