The Gees @ The James Tavern, James Street, Oxford.

The Gees through a fog of a smoke machine

After the Chuck Prophet gig we wandered around to the James Tavern for a drink. From the otherside of the bar there emanated an amazing sound of another gig. When I heard bagpipes wailing away and a fog drifting over to our side I just had to investigate.
So there crammed into half the other side of the pub was then a 9 piece outfit. Consisting from what I could see as there were copious use of a smoke machine was...
Bagpiper
Percussionist No 1 (with a wailing siren)
Percussionist No 2
Drummer
Bass
Lead Guitar
Keyboards
Didgeridoo
Trombonist

Half the remainder of the bar was taken over by the audience dancing.
They were joined later by two trumpeters and another who I cant place. I overheard that over the course of the evening they totalled 16!

Their sound was a cross between Melt Yourself Down and Santana and when in full flow was a revelation. Must see again.

 Friends daughter at the same time was celebrating an 18th down the road at the Kasbah, my daughter was elsewhere out along the road, so it all goes to prove what an amazing place The Cowley Road is. Long may it continue.

Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express @ The Bully, Cowley Road, Oxford

After Dingwells and Islington Assembly Hall in London it was time to see CPATME in Oxford. A set of 105mins full of driving guitar solos from both Chuck and James De Prato, steadfastly held together by both Vicente Rodriguez on drums and Kevin White on bass, the odd sing along and Stephie Finch in the Linda McCartney role on keyboards and backing vocals. And of course the odd joke and banter from Chuck with the audience (and not all quite pc)
I forgot that he even had a cold which was evident from having to blow his nose. wish I could preform as good as that when I am not feeling brilliant.
Set List below but a mention for their version of Flaming Groovies's 'Shake Some Action' which I am reliably told by a affectionado of the song, was note perfect.

See Utube clip from gig taken right in front of where I was standing.

Thoroughly good gig. Thats how to entertain!
9/10

Set List
Countrified Inner City Technological Man
Wish Me Luck
Guilty As A Saint
Ford Econoline
Tell Me Anything (Turn to Gold)
I Bow Down and Pray to Every Woman I See
Where the Hell Is Henry?
Castro Halloween
The Left Hand And The Right Hand
Willie Mays Is Up At Bat
White Night, Big City
Temple Beautiful
Who Shot John
Little Girl, Little Boy
Summertime Thing
Encore:
Shake Some Action
(Flamin' Groovies cover)
You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp)