The version of The Animals
onstage is effectively a tribute band, albeit an extremely good one. Early in
their set, drummer John Steel walks to the front of the stage in order to
justify why indeed his band are calling themselves The Animals. Basically, he
tells us that it’s because he is the original drummer, and keyboard ace Mickey
Gallagher was in the band for about five minutes between Alan Price leaving and
his replacement Dave Rowberry joining. Ho-hum. The real reason is that John
Steel owns the rights to the name. No matter – they treat us to a rollicking
romp through some of The Animals’ finest moments.
There is however no doubting
the authenticity of Steve Cropper when he walks on stage. Opening with Soul
Limbo, he comments “you guys are so cool I don’t even have to tell you what
that song is!” What follows is
essentially a parade of classic songs, many of which Cropper had a
compositional hand in, including In The Midnight Hour, (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of
The Bay, 634-5789, Hip-Hug-Her, Knock On Wood and (naturally) Green Onions.
Throughout, The Animals provide a backing that the MGs would have been proud
of. Not only is Crop’s guitar playing excellent, his vocals are really good
too. I hadn’t even thought of him as a singer!
The Animals return for We
Gotta Get Out Of This Place and House Of The Rising Sun before Crop joins them
for a final run through Soul Man. This is a night of unashamed nostalgia, but
The Animals and Steve Cropper treat their respective back catalogues with
respect and play with a vigour which very much brings the material to life. A
truly magic evening!
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