After a long 30 year gap, I was finally able to see UFO again last night. Before I get to the gig, I have to mention my immense pleasure in meeting Scott and Tom from s-i-t-n. Both great guys and thanks to Tom for hanging out after the show and talking about gigs past, present and (hopefully) future.

Now, I could not remotely forget mentioning finally getting to meet our gorgeous and charming leader, Ms. Batty. Delightful young lady and probably the highlight of our evening. Oh the band was good, but they had to work pretty hard to compete with her overwhelmingly delighful presence. There's always a reason why people become legends and it only took a few seconds of bathing in the glow of her spectacular aura to know why. I think I might have gotten a slight sunburn from the brief time we spent with her.... A red-headed supernova of a lady. Cheers to you m'lady!

And what about the band? Simply f*&king stunning. I've seen many of my favorite bands over the past few years and fully expected Phil to be in the same league as Gillan, Dio, Coverdale and Halford. I mean come on, these guys aren't exactly kids anymore and can't sound like they are. Well, Mr. Mogg shot my theory to hell fast. Phil's voice was so amazingly on, that I had to move my jaw several times to keep people from stepping on it! I don't know what he's doing to sing like that, but I hope he keeps it up. As for Mr. Parker, you won't find a better definition of a skin pounder this side of a porn film. The guy was playing drums like a 19 year old overdosing on Viagra. My son Ian (a drummer as well) was in awe throughout the show and his starstruck encounter with Andy after the show will be the subject of family conversations for years to come. Many, many thanks to Andy for being so gracious. Paul Raymond was the typical workhorse he's always been and an anchor in the whirlwind onstage. (Sadly he didn't come out after the show, at least while we were there. I wanted to tell him about being a fan since Hellbound Train came out.) Vinnie Moore exceeded my expectations by light-years and dare I admit that during Love to Love, his playing was so spectacularly emotional that I wiped a tear or two from my eyes? Yes, it was THAT good. Rob fills some legendary shoes so well that I have to admit not really missing Pete like I thought I would. Rock solid and the perfect foil to Mr. Moore onstage. Their face to face, playing behind their backs like two gun fighters facing off was a bit of flash I haven't seen at a concert in years.

Meeting the guys afterward was beyond great. Getting Phil and Andy to sign the cover of the first UFO album I bought (Phenomenon) back in 1974 was simply something I never dreamed would or could happen. I went from being 52 to 17 in a matter of seconds. All the joy and excitement that came with buying that record came welling up from inside and sparked a flood of memories. (Some of those memories are a little hazy, but it was the 70's after all!)

The setlist was the same as the last one posted, but that doesn't come close to describing what it was REALLY like. To do that, you'd have to see the band yourself.

Cheers, Jim C.

PS: sorry Batty, I couldn't follow orders and post this as soon as I got home. The 4 hour drive each way was a killer, so I had to sleep a bit first!!

16 October 2009 14:37:14