Search - Tony Aston, Friends :: Endangered Species (Bonus Dvd)

Superb Tribute to the Late Great Tony Ashton

C. A. Poustie | Pakret, Nonthaburi Thailand | 06/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD/DVD combo far exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high given that I had waited 9 years for its release since being at the gig in 2000. The packaging is very classy, wonderful multi-panel digipak with superb design, very attractive and very modern. Nothing like the "budget" packaging you often get on the more obscure releases...and which you might expect given the incredible value for money of this Double-CD and DVD combo. The whole production is real quality.



The DVD is a revelation. Having been at the gig, I was hardly aware that the concert was being professionally filmed. I had noticed a guy at the side of the stage with a camera, and what I assumed to be a fan in the crowd with another camera, but for those two cameras alone to capture not only the spirit of the gig so perfectly, but also capture pretty much everything going on onstage, was quite a pleasant suprise. Perhaps less is more camera-wise, because some big budget concert DVDs (Whitesnake?) with a multitude of cameras, are sometimes nauseating to watch with the constant flicking between camera angle.



As you might expect given that it was recorded at Abbey Road, the sound quality (I was listening in 5.1) is absolutely first rate. The picture quality is also of a very high quality, shot using state of the art equipment for the time, by film director Mike Figgis. Most of the show is shown in crisp colour, but there are also artsy black'n'white "atmospheric" shots interspersed.



The concert itself was a magical event and the DVD captures the vibe perfectly. The first few opening acts were an enjoyable aperitif, but for me, it all starts in earnest when Ewan McGregor introduces the main man himself and Tony and his band perform their set. The three-song set is highly enjoyable, showcasing Tony's wonderful talents as pianist/vocalist and showman and also featuring some lengthy jamming and great improvised interplay between Tony and his excellent guitarist (Laurie Wisefield). Tony is in fine form and seems to be enjoying the occasion. The audience, which at this point had just filled out, comes alive and the atmosphere rises up a few obvious notches.



Following on from the Ashton set we get the reformed version of the classic late 70's / early-80's formation of Whitesnake (Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, and some other chap handling Coverdale's duties). Much as I love DC, this band is a zillion times better than the current US version calling themselves "Whitesnake" and in my mind is a much truer version of the band. Not surprising really given that this is made up of five/sixths Whitesnake veterans whereas Coverdale's band is really just one/sixth. Anyway, griping aside, these guys dish up a set of crowd-pleasing favourites from yesteryear that really give the old afficianado's in the audience exactly what the doctor ordered. It is sing-along galore during the likes of Ready'n'Willing, Aint No Love and Here I Go Again. My only disappointment perhaps, and it is very small, is why did Lord play Here I Go Again on the piano when he had the Hammond by his side?



Well up to this point we'd had the aperitif of opening acts, we'd warmed up with the brilliantly entertaining Ashton jazz set, and we'd enjoyed the nostalgic Whitesnake reunion sing-along. But what happened next would turn an otherwise brilliant night into legend!



Since childhood my all time favourite album has been Paice Ashton Lord's one and only release: Malice In Wonderland - released in 1977. The idea of this doomed band ever getting back and reforming, even for a one-off, had never even entered the realms of possibility - not even in our wildest dreams. But when this gig was announced, this was what I, and many others there that night, had been daring to hope for.



And dreams do come true. Opening with the classic "Ghost Story" and continuing into "Sneaky Private Lee", the band, featuring Howie Casey in the Brass section and the original Backing girl vocalists, do a fantastic job of belting out the songs, true to the original, albeit with Bernie Marsden handling the vocals, with Ashton unaware that the reunion would take place. When Resurrection Shuffle, Ashton's signature hit from the seventies cranks up and Ashton takes over vocals, the party well and truly begins with the band and audience celebrating what had been a really fantastic evening. Ashton decides to launch into "Why Don't You Stay", which seemingly had not been rehearsed, and proceeds to shout out the chords to the band, which pick it up instantly and put in a stellar performance. It really is a lovely and emotional ending...with Ashton signing-off in style.



I would highly recommend this CD/DVD to all Tony Ashton fans (obviously), as well as any fans of the original Whitesnake and Paice Ashton Lord. Fans of Deep Purple should enjoy this and general fans of British rock/jazz/blues should appreciate it. List of featured artists are below;



Pete York

Eddie Hardin

Zoot Money

Jaz Lochrie

Johnnie Johnson

Dave Williams

John Entwistle

Zak Starkey

Gary Nuttal

John Bundrick

Tony Ashton

Len Skeet

Laurie Wisefield

Nigel Portman Smith

Chris Barber

Ian Paice

Jon Lord

Bernie Marsden

Micky Moody

Neil Murray

Robert Hart

Howie Casey

Geoff Whitehorn

Jeanette McKinley

Sheila McKinley

"