Phil Manzanera @Bush Hall, July 2nd
The intimate Bush Hall hosted a rare performance by The Sound Of Blue Band, the vehicle that Phil uses to showcase his solo career away from Roxy Music. Roxy tunes were present – Out Of The Blue culminated in a stunning violin solo from Corinna Henschel whilst More Than This, Amazona, a rousing Let’s Stick Together and a slinky Love Is The Drug also featured, the latter with sax player Joao Melo following in Andy McKay’s footprints. Phil revisited his first solo LP Diamond Head for an elegant take on the title track, all clean solo lines and tight rhythm guitar. Sonia Bernado’s vocals improved in volume and authority as the set progressed, coming into their own on No Church In The Wild and Caracas 1960. A final flourish came from guest bassist Guy Pratt, fronting a medley of early Pink Floyd songs– Bike, Lucifer Sam and See Emily Play. Delightful
Only Rock 'n' Roll 