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Muffathalle, Munich, Germany
30th June 2009
Russ Ballard

On 30th June it was time for me to see RUSS BALLARD on his current tour. His career began already in 1963 with THE ROULETTES. Then he played in other bands, until he began his solo career and writing for other artists in 1974.

RUSS BALLARD is a British songwriter, composer, music producer, singer and guitarist. Some of his best known songs for other artists are ‘Since You Been Gone’ by Rainbow (1979), ‘So You Win Again’ by Hot Chocolate (1977), ‘Hearts on Fire’ by Roger Daltrey and ‘I Know There's Something Going On’ by ABBA's Frida (1982). The only song which reached a Chart position under his own name was ‘On the Rebound’ in 1980 (place 58). http://www.myspace.com/russballard



Music & Performance
Shortly after 8:00 PM it was time and RUSS BALLARD entered the stage in the well filled Muffathalle. The audience was brightly mixed: From young up to a little bit older fans, people of all ages were to be found! The live-band consisted of keyboarder Steve Smith, the bassist of the British rock band WISHBONE ASH Bob Skeat, the songwriter Chris Winter (guitar, keyboard) and the long-standing KINKS drummer Robert Henrit. At the beginning Russ played some of his own hits, followed by a presentation of his biggest outputs as songwriter for other artists, as for example ‘You can do magic’ or ‘God gave rock and roll to you’. One or another listener was surprised about the fact which often heard songs come from his feather. The good tempered audience joined in the singing as well. RUSS BALLARD got sheer pleasure out of the show: He tried in German, told stories to songs and talked to listeners. Next he played again some of his own hits, as for example ‘On the rebound’ and ‘Voices’ and was convincing, besides that, as a brilliant guitarist. Also the other band members showed their skills and inspired the audience.



After the additions and nearly two-hour playing time, a diverse and successful time trip through some decades of music came to an end which might probably have woken up some recollections in the audience!

Setlist
01. Rene didn't do it
02. It’s my life (Stand in my shoes)
03. Dream on
04. Can't hear you no more
05. The fire still burns
06. Hold your head up
07. Like father like son
08. Mankind (sung by Chris Winter)
09. So you win again
10. I know there's something going on
11. New York groove
12. On the rebound
13. Voices
14. Since you been gone
15. God gave Rock and Roll to you
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16. Two Silhouettes
17. It's too late
18. Little Queenie

Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 7
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7.5 / 10







All pictures by Erika Knepper (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / http://www.myspace.com/antecanis)
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