It was great to chat to guitarist Soren Andersen later when he confessed that being on stage with Glenn was an incredible challenge musically. As well as being eye candy for the ladies, he is an excellent practitioner and showman. Keyboard player, Anders Olinder has been an ever present for all recent tours and does provide a stabilising gel to the others' movements. Pontus Engborg on drums worked well with The Hughes bass lines.

I am never sure what people will make of 'Don't Let Me Bleed' from the highly rated solo album, 'Soul Mover.' It's Glenn Hughes show boating with his vocal talents. But it's rather like watching a Ronaldo (either one) skip round defences. Awe. I witnessed smiles of appreciation from the throng, some of whom were fresher fans including younger women and one lad I witnessed in absolute awe at the front of house with his dad.

A natural raconteur, he pushed aside some of the silly stuff written about him in the past and offered an ironic new story line about being 'that old lesbian' to guffaws of laughter around the hall.

'Soul Mover,' a classic in its own right and a live staple, ended the show, to be followed with a two song encore beginning with 'Addiction'. A painful album to make apparently, but I appreciated Glenn Hughes digging deep to tell us about a chapter in his life that is now eradicated. An essential addition to the set and a further sign that Glenn Hughes is comfortable with his own life story.

Instead we have the Voice of Rock doing what he does best - and sadly most of his contemporaries cannot now match - and that's to sing with energy and passion. There are 12 more dates at a venue near you. Do yourself a favour and read the new chapter in the life of Glenn Hughes.
 

Review by Keith Thompson

Photos by Lee Millward/GRTR!