T Rex at The Boot and Shoe 17th August 2005

The Boot and Shoe Ackworth has seen many a great rock band over the years due to Les Thompson's contacts and promotional flair. Strongly admired for his lack of fear and one who laughs in the face of financial risk , we really must take our hats off to Les and his promotions.

This Wednesday night proved to be very enjoyable with some notable local stars in the audience. For the first part of the musical set, guest Adam Bomb, the New York guitar slinger, played lead whilst the excellent T Rex, fronted by the fantastically versatile Rob Benson, played a number of songs from Marc Bolan's glam-rock portfolio. The regular bass player, Tony Allday allowed Rock of the North webmaster, and Rock Legacy bassist Joe Pastrami up to jam on a couple of numbers as reward for the use of his bass rig. Joe coolly played a number he hadn't learned but it sounded ok to us!

The evening then saw Adam turn to his repertoire, including songs such as New York , New York (yes a high octane version of Frank Sinatra's song) and dedicated his Get Animal 2 CD inclusion, Box of Shite, to a light hearted T Rex heckler in the audience! Thank you Adam! Adam turned the show into some kind of Jam session, a high calibre jam session mind you! Songs from Led Zeppelin were included, Day Tripper from The Beatles and a few others. Some people who paid a fiver were a little miffed about this but to be honest, most of it was very good.

Saxon riffmeister Graham Oliver entered the building about this time and it wasn't long before the Yorkshire rock legend was up on his Strat and the T Rex repertoire returned to the evening's entertainment package. Rob continued with a high quality set and I realised what a superb vocalist he is, and versatile with it. The Marc Bolan trademark vibrato in the voice was so well mimicked, I would have sworn it was Marc himself ,back from the dead ,had I have not seen who was singing.

Joe Pastrami was keen to re-enter the arena and so it was. The original and excellent drummer, Paul Fenton, vocalist Rob Benson, legendary axeman Graham Oliver and bassist Joe Pastrami played Ride a White Swan and Easy Action (baby) before Tony Allday returned to the fray.

The T Rex format soon attracted ladies to the dancefloor and the rocked up renditions were most appealing to the heavy-metallers in the audience, it was rather special. Adam Bomb was still around and keen to re-enter the proceedings so Adam took to the bass . The unusual vision of Graham Oliver and Adam Bomb playing side by side to play a variety of Hendrix songs including Little Wing and Voodoo Child, was a treat to see and to hear. During this super-jam Graham and Adam swapped bass and guitar regularly to the joy of the assembled rock fans. It really was special. Graham Oliver told me later in the night that it was the first time he'd ever played a bass!

During all this axe play, Rob Benson professionally added well-metered vocals and the veteran but still adept and fresh drummer, Paul Fenton kept time impeccably.

The evening was a triumph once again and it's a shame Mick Racket went so early as he could have added another fine ingredient to the recipe. Sadly he didn't but the evening was fantastic anyway and Les Thompson must be congratulated on a brilliant night of entertainment. The band did a 150 minute set and the pace was as vigorous at the end of the set as at the beginning. Top marks to all concerned.

Steve Lally