Sinnerboy @ Silkstone Lodge Barnsley

Yorkshire Rory Gallagher fans were treated to a rare outing by Sinnerboy, led by the organiser of The UK's Rory Gallagher Festival, Barry Barnes. This very lively band really meant business as they kicked off with Shinkicker.The look on Barry's face was a picture; he was going for gold as he hit those strings! A request for Continental Op was granted and superbly played. The intro even had the tone-pot wah sound so typical of Rory's special effects technique! (Rapid turning of the guitar tone control from bass to treble). An Irish Tour 74 track was next up. The guitar tone on the rhythm of Walk On Hot Coals was as authentic as could be. The bass and percussion really lifted the song too. With volume swells and damped rhythm rakes this brilliant old song was fantastic. Keeping in the same era came Million Miles Away a song played so right, we could have been back in Ireland in '74.Close your eyes and you're there. The intro had the harmonics and the voice was so authentic. That intro is so special.

The band continued with Moonchild with the same enthusiasm and so in your face. Following with Too Much Alcohol, with the superb rhythm section doing a great job with this 12 bar blues. The set was slowed down significantly as the band played I Fall Apart. This lovely song is one of my Rory favourites and was well played with its distinctive rhythm guitar. Livening things up before the interval came Laundromat a great riff laden rocker. What a great riff this is too. During the break was an audience interrogation by Barry as to who was a Rory fan and if they were enjoying the concert…we were… on both counts!

As the band reassembled as Sinnerboy, they played Sinnerboy! With a capo at the F sharp position on his white Telecaster, Barry played some great slide themes. Back to Irish Tour '74 and another riff –heavy song, Cradle Rock had everyone's head shaking and feet tapping. Then changing to a mandolin with a truly beautiful tone Barry sang and played Going To My Hometown. With great vocals and subtle offerings from the rhythm section, this song was one of the highlights in the set. There were many highlights in this set however. The brilliant Used To Be with pseudo Beatles riffs, The Last of the Independents with the ultra hardworking rhythm section and a special version of Bad Penny were a treat to listen to. The band were receptive to requests from the very appreciative audience so a great version of Shadowplay was well received. By this time last orders at the bar was well in the past but an encore of Bullfrog Blues sent everybody home with a very broad smile on their faces. What a great set from this superb band.

Steve Lally ©