Graham Bonnet Live Slay shockcity productions on point touring

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

Graham Bonnet is a rock vocalist born in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England who has been active since 1967. Graham has had a successful career with bands such as Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz & Impellitteri and laterely with his own band Graham Bonnet Band. Tonight we are atSlay in Glasgow to run the rule over this 78 year old troubadour as he hits the stage with his band as they take us through his career to let us know that he is still rocking in the free world, as the lights dim and the intro music spills through the house speakers Graham strolls onto the stage in his usual get up of white shirt, dark shaded and pencil tie as the rapturous applause ring out from this swelling audience. As the house lights dim and the PA falls silent Graham and band kicks off tonight’s shenanigans with the thundering –

Assault Attack – The killer riff erupts and really delivers this awesome arrangement with all it’s might, we have cool keys that are rippling through the intro as this awesome track comes to life as Graham bellows out the vocals and really gives it his all tonight. The thundering drums are hitting us with all they have as a slick clean guitar lick hits us and roars off into the night as the band just give it all they have. The track is a real gritty rocking affair that just kicks in the doors and lets us know Graham Bonnet Band are firmly planted in Glasgow tonight, we feel the dark, rumbling low end hit us as Beth – Ami is bringing the groove to the fine people of Glasgow tonight as she also brings her sultry, mellow backing vocals that just add depth to this fantastic track as the sold out crowd sing along to a real fitting opening track as we roll into –

Dancer – cymbal rolls fill the air as this foot stomper rolls through the venue as Graham leans in and brings his soulful vocals to this shimmering track as the rhythm section kicks off with a real solid snare drum beat. The dark, delicious bassline brings a real edgy tone to the track as Beth – Ami gives us cool funking tones that just let the track run free, the synth tones are littered throughout the arrangement as the pounding drum fills are really giving the track swagger and attitude. Conrado opens the guitar licks with a real gritty, monster lick that really delights the crowd as he stands front and centre and takes the plaudits from this rockin crowd. The place is really getting into the groove and I must also tell you that this rockin charlatan is 78 years old and is still giving it all he has let me tell you, the band are hungry to feed us with raw edgy music as we tell them we want more as the band leads us onto –

Rock You To The Ground – A crunching, sludgy guitar riff oozes from the stage as Conrad brings the sleazy swagger to Glasgow tonight as the dark, brooding low end wraps itself around this classic number. The rhythm section is hitting us with funky bass kicks that let the snare drum beats get this rousing monster on the road, the addition of the keys are genius as Alessandro works his magic as the growling, gravelly vocals lean in and give the track a real dark full on tone that really lets us throw our fists in the air as the boys dig deep and take us back in time with this classic rock n roller that has the place smiling and singing as we let the band rock out. The sizzling guitar solo is just filling every corner of the room as the rhythm section commands the direction of this fantastic arrangement, the band are on fire as they bounce of each other and Francis delivers a pounding double bass kick that really rounds off this slick, melodic groover as we roll into –

Desert Song – A slick sizzling guitar riff wanders through the intro as a deep bassline brings the track kicking and screaming to the fine folk of Glasgow tonight. Killer synth tones are oozing towards us as killer vocals bellow out and let this epic track come to life, we are feeling the groove that is kicking in the doors as Francis belts out the beat from the back of the room. The whole arrangement is a deep melodic groove that just tells it’s own story as the band really gels and lets us feel the groove as Conrad hits us with a killer solo that has crisp clean edges that are wrapped in sweet keys that have a real haunting feel that takes this track to the edge,basslines are wrapping themselves around this real deep, rasping piece as Graham lets his cool, mellow vocals bring the track to us tonight as we move into –

Searching For A Reason – Graham steps forward and has a little chat about his days in MSG Group and how he enjoyed playing these awesome tracks as the place lets out a huge roar. The funking bassline swoops in and hits us with a real groove laden beat that lets the guys slip in and bring a shredding power raged guitar riff that really gets the crowd moving, the rhythm section is commanding the beat as it hits us with solid snare drum punches that really give the track cool, edgy tone, the cool synth tones are weaving their way through the track and just light it up as the place just rocks out and stamps their feet to this real melodic bruiser that is flowing freely through the venue tonight. The band are really enjoying themselves although they are tired and cranky but as they say the show musit go on as we roll into –

Lazy / Solo – The band tunes up and wander around the stage as the cool, haunting keys ripple through the intro as cymbal snaps bring the rhythm section to our attention. Conrad steps front and centre as he offloads with a slick, crisp guitar shred that flows freely alongside a cool keys tone that allows Graham to chill at the side of the stage and grab some much neede water. The tempo is a real southern style boogie piece that just builds and builds as the guys gel together and rock out as a deep, brooding bassline hits us with meaty grooves that run freely through Slay tonight as the band gets a rare chance to showcase their musicality as the place is rockin & rollin as we feel the energy coming at us tonight, Beth – Ami & Conrado are standing back to back and really giving it all they have as this cool groover allows us to run into –

Night Games – The track begins with a clean guitar riff that brings in cymbal snaps and snare drum punches that allow Graham to bellow out this classic track. A cool bass line is dropping deep plundering beat that controls the mid section as this fantastic track really gets up to full speed. Vocals are strong and really drive this juggernaut onwards as the band get tight and just click as they let the music flow through the hall tonight and just bring smiles to our faces tonight, the groove is like we remember from yesterday as the band come together and let the music do the talking, we roll into another era as the GBB classic comes at us –

All Night Long – The track begins with a clean guitar riff that brings in cymbal snaps and snare drum punches that allow Graham to bellow out this classic track. A cool bass line is dropping deep funking beat that controls the mid section as this fantastic track really gets up to full speed. Vocals are strong and really drive this juggernaut onwards as the band get tight and just click as they let the music flow through the hall tonight and just bring smiles to our faces tonight, the groove is like we remember from yesterday as the band come together and let the music do the talking, we roll into another era as the MSG classic comes at us –

Since You Been Gone – The unmistakeable drum beat comes pouring into the hall tonight as Graham comes with his killer vocals that really let this track cut loose. The rhythm section hits us with killer bass kicks and snare drum punches that are wrapped in cymbal snaps that give it a rea; cool feel. The guitar riffs are floating effortlessly through the track and just let us roll back the years as the band really hit their stride and let us know that they appreciate the support from us tonight as they deliver a faultless set that has brought us hits from Graham’s back catalogue which is just awesome, we catch our breath Graham chats to us and tells us some stories from his days with MSG, Rainbow & Alcatrazz which brings a cheer from the crowd, Beth – Ami takes the mic and says tell them about the denim trouser story as Graham says I can’t tell them that but he did anyway and the story is that the jeans were rubbish quality and he was fixing himself when the jeans ripped and his old man fell out, the place erupts into laughter as Graham says ok lets get another song in –

Jet To Jet – Graham strolls around the stage as Conrado slips in and delivers a shredding power ravaged riff that combines with a pounding double bass kick groove that lets the snare drum punches leave their mark. Graham comes in and lets his vocals lead the charge as the deep, full low end drops in and gives the track some depth as Beth – Ami brings the heat with her fantastic grooves that really let the track move. The rhythm section is kicking in the doors with a pounding beat that just fills the venue with a real gutsy tone that just drives this monster onwards as the silky, smooth keys come at us with a real soulful, mellow tone that ripples through this fantastic arrangement, the crowd are throwing their fists in the air as this melodic bruiser builds and builds as we let the tone drae us in as Francis takes the reins and hits us with a power punching drum solo that is really shaking the place to it’s very foundations as he pounds the skins and really offloads with a vengeful kick as he asks the crowd to holler every time he hits the snare drum, we feel the energy oozing as we roll into –

Into The Night – The rhythm section kicks in and brings a thundering snare drum beat as the keys simply swoop in and give the track a real meodic feel as the bass drops in with dark, meaty tones that are just awesome. Graham lets his smooth, mellow vocals lead the charge as this foot stomping monster rears it’s head as the band come together and really let us have it both barrels. The tone is a little high but we allow for Graham’s cold that is coming to an end as the keys build and build as we feel the energy oozing from the band as the crowd sings along and relives the early years of Graham’s career as we rock around the years as we roll into –

Samurai – Conrado steps front and centre as he lets the strings do the talking as the galloping riffs let the track come to life as Graham hits us with his mellow, soulful vocals as this foot stomping rocker rears it’s head. The backing vocals come through and just let the groove flow as the cool keys weave their way through the track and add depth and swagger to this snare drum pounding beast as we nod our heads to this melodic rocker that is steering us towards the business end of tonight’s entertainment, basslines are hitting us with a wall of funk as Beth – Ami drops in with dark, meaty grooves that really work well with the punchy tones that are coming at us tonight, we roll ito the last track of the night lol –

Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live – A punchy rhythm section kicks off as the shredding guitar riffs allow the groove to build as Graham lets his unmistakeable vocals lead on. The snare drum punches are coming at us as the cymbal taps let the track breath as the keys flow freely through the growling track as we feel the groove hit us with all it has, the thundering beats are working well as they run alongside soothing keys that really wrap themselves around this slick, crisp arrangement that just lets us feel the Graham Bonnet Band doing their thing and really letting us have it all and then some, the band leave the stage to rapturous applause and chants of one more song, one more song and as if by magic –

Eyes Of The World – As the keys roll into the track we ready ourselves for this classy track that builds and builds before we get into it. The track bursts into life with solid snare drum punches that let this killer track hit us with all it has as Graham brings his unmistakeable vocals to this epic arrangement. Graham gets the audience to bellow out Eyes Of The World and they duly oblige, we get killer bass lines coming through as Beth – Ami brings a touch of glamour to tonight’s performance as she offloads with deep meaty grooves that are wrapped in a slick clean solo as Conrad lets his fingers do the talking, the rhythm section is pounding away in the background as they let the track unfold and delight this swelling Glasgow crowd as we welcome this unmistakeable rock legend to the stage tonight, we holler and cheer as Graham takes the applause and thanks us for coming on a school night, we roll into classic finishing track –

Lost In Hollywood – Thundering drums fill the air as a gritty guitar riff tears the roof off of the O2 tonight as the keys bring the groove to us kicking and screaming. Bass lines are dropping meaty funk grooves that just wrap themselves around this punchy rocking track that just oozes class as the boys aim to finish off in style. The rhythm section is pumping out solid snare drum punches that have bass kicks and cymbal crashes that just put a smile on our faces tonight and leave us wanting more as sweet clean keys fill the air and let this classic track bring the groove as the guitar solo explodes and just fills the air with awesome licks that are a perfect way to finish this set tonight.

Graham Bonnet Band –

Graham Bonnet – Vocals

Conrad Pesinato – Guitar

Beth – Ami Heavenstone – Bass

Allesandro Bentoni – Keys

Francis Cassol – Drums

Setlist –

Assault Attack

Dancer

Rock You To The Ground

Desert Song

Searching For A Reason