Chicken Shack - Still Live After All These Years (2003)

1. So Tell Me Now - Stan Webb
2. The Thrill Is Gone - Bill Foster, Ellington Jordan
3. Reconsider Baby - Lowell Fulson
4. (You Are) The Sweetest Little Thing - Stan Webb
5. I Know, You Know - Stan Webb
6. Saw Her Standing There - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
7. Night Life - Baskirk, P., Walt Breeland, Willie Nelson
8. The Chicken Shack Opera - Stan Webb
9. (Oh Please) Doctor Brown - Trad.
10. I'd Rather Go Blind - Bill Foster/Ellington Jordan

Musicians:
Stan Webb - Guitar, Vocals
Gary Davies - Guitar
Jim Rudge - Bass
Mick Jones - Drums
Rudiger Baldauf - Trumpet (The Shadow Horns)
Frank Kirchner - Saxophones (The Shadow Horns)
Peter Zagona - Baritone Sax (The Shadow Horns)

Praise the Lord - there's a Chicken Shack revival underway. Following hot on the heels of the Sanctuary "Anthology" set, the "I'd Rather Go Live" In concert DVD and this year's tour with John Mayall, this 2003 German gig is a welcome addition to any discerning CS fan.

Looser than the great Indigo live CD "Stand The Man - Live" and with some different arrangements, Stan Webb, Gary Davis, Jim Rudge and Mick Jones serve up another tasty slice of British blues, rock and vaudeville. Celebrating 40 years as a professional musician, the CD showcases everything we love about Stan Webb. Stunning guitar, commanding vocals, self-effacing humour and a genuine love for the music and respect for his audience, this is the best way to experience Chicken Shack. The set hasn't varied that much over the years, but the addition of a three piece horn section adds some whoompf and richness to the sound. "The Thrill is Gone" must surely now be an honorary Stan song as it fits him so well - proving him not just a flash player but one of great sensitivity and feel. "Tell Me" and "Doctor Brown" are as rollicking as ever and the heartfelt "You are the sweetest thing" provides a welcome change of pace and tone. This isn't just blues rock (I think I heard/read somewhere that SW doesn't see CS as just a blues band)so there's a lot more variety in the songs and tone than you might expect. And it's all delivered with just the right amount of respect and humour.

This is a really good, tight band. No doubt that Stan Webb is the focal point, the showman and source of energy, but Gary Davies plays a really great second guitar, economical, understated but totally together and into the song. Jim Rudge and Mick Jones provide the foundation from which Stan Webb launches his guitar and vocals. The latter are unquestionably getting better and better with the years and when he really lets rip or hangs onto a note it is done to great effect.

The audience presence is a little muted perhaps and the trademark banter and observations somewhat toned down (for the German fans?)but the relationship between artist and audience is still there - an essential ingredient in a CS show.

It may not be big and it may not be clever, but this music is honest, gutsy, uncomplicated and genuine. For me it reflects the kind of affection and respect some of the great bluesman like B.B and Freddie King always showed for their audience and Stan Webb and Chicken Shack are in the same groove. Maybe loyalty is an outdated notion these days, but if you are CS fan, you'll buy this CD and love it - and probably not just for the music. If you're not a CS fan, give it a try. I doubt it will change your life but when you've listened to it, I'll bet you'll have a smile on your face. --- Praise the Lord - there's a Chicken Shack revival underway. Following hot on the heels of the Sanctuary "Anthology" set, the "I'd Rather Go Live" In concert DVD and this year's tour with John Mayall, this 2003 German gig is a welcome addition to any discerning CS fan. --- Andy Clare (UK), amazon.com

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