Glenn Hughes/The Damn Truth –
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Monday, 23rd October 2023
Setlist: This Is Who We Are Now/Full On You/Too Late/Lonely Only Love/Look Innocent/Get With You/Tomorrow.
Tonight is going to be special, very special. The Apex is a fantastic venue with a stunning sound. The Damn Truth are an amazing band, I have reviewed and seen them perform live at the Norwich Waterfront. Let the show begin!
The Damn Truth begin their 50-minute set by informing us that they have come all the way from Canada to play for you! Lee la Baum stands at the microphone, with her arms outstretched, her mane of hair dancing as the intro of ‘White Rabbit’ ebbs and fades then just like an Airplane we take off, as opener ‘This Is Who We Are Now’ leaves us in no doubt as to who this band from Vancouver are!
Baum gyrates and howls like Janis Joplin, putting every ounce of her energy and soul into her performance. To her left and right she is flanked by Tom Shemer (lead guitar/vocals and PY Letellier (bass/vocals) who both spin and pose with the purpose and poise of rock gods, from behind we get Dave Traina who provides the more than adequate bombast to his kit.
There is more than a hint of sexual chemistry on stage between Shemer and Baum, who drops to her knees as she sings inches from Shemer’s crotch! Normally a woman with the onstage aura and personality of Baum would dominate proceedings but our guitarists have enough testosterone and appeal to more than hold their own.
Despite the best efforts of the male members of her band, (pun intended) Lee remains the focal point for the majority. She sings with power and passion and dances and moves like a young Tina Turner, cavorting as she does in a skirt that barely covers her ass-etts! Just to make it more obvious who is in control, she plays the guitar as well!
The show concludes with ‘Tomorrow’ the Apex is enthused and gives a rapturous response to The Damn Truth, I was sure the last time I witnessed this band that they had the potential to be huge, now I am totally convinced. Janis Joplin/ Grace Slick charisma and a psychedelic 60’s early 70’s vibe and image with a modern sound make these a must! Now that is The Damn Truth!
Setlist: Stormbringer/Might Just Take Your Life/Sail Away/You Fool No One/ Mistreated/Getting Tighter.
Encore: Highway Star/Burn.
What is there left to say about the legend, the Voice Of Rock that is Glenn Hughes? For me having amassed over 40 albums that he has sung and played on, from Trapeze, his Purple trio, all things solo, via Hughes – Thrall, The Bobaloos, California Breed, including collaborations with John Norum, Gary Moore, Tony Iommi, Joe Lynn Turner, Robin George, plus Black Country Communion and The Dead Daisies. You can call me a fan if you like, but for me it is an honour and privilege to be writing this review and to have the photography credits.
The time is getting nearer, the venue is full, the excitement is building, then the God of rock arrives on the stage looking like no man of his age has the right to look! The riff of ‘Stormbringer’ erupts courtesy of long-time partner in crime Soren Anderson.
From this point on the enigmatic qualities of Glenn Hughes mesmerise the Apex audience, he looks great, he sings great and plays his bass brilliantly. Third song in is the incredible ‘Sail Away’ from the Burn album. With the entranced crowd eating out of his hand he regales us with tales of all things Purple and how he joined them at the age of 5!
I have seen Glenn perform his Deep Purple songs 3 times previously and each time they have been memorable occasions. Tonight was slightly different as Glenn and particularly the rest of the band seemed a bit isolated on a very large stage. Hold on! You might exclaim, he has played the biggest venues in the world. What I am trying to say in recent years, Glenn and his backing band have played venues of a similar size but with a much smaller stage.
Tonight, for me there was way too much space between the musicians. Guitarist, Anderson looked like his was tethered to his side, right hand from crowd perspective, never once venturing across to the opposite side. The drums seemed to be set very deep in the stage and also the Keyboards were side on and did not create a visual point for the punters. Glenn did mention what a fantastic venue it was and that he had never previously played there. Ok, enough of this, it is not a criticism, but a little bit more stagecraft would have been great from the others.
Glenn really looked like he was enjoying himself, ‘Mistreated’ being a huge highlight. Before the end of the main set, we were treated to a magnificent drum solo with a 10-minute duration, sticks were flying everywhere, including up the drummer nose! Someone got up to leave from one of the two balconies, “Where do you think you are going?” asked the drummer then he continued his maelstrom of drumming madness.
‘Getting Tighter’ is performed next and Glenn speaks emotionally and passionately about his friend Tommy Bolin, saying he always plays this song in memory of the Deep Purple guitarist who died in 1976, not long after the band had disbanded and barely a year after Tommy’s only appearance on ‘Come Taste The Band’. We get the story of Ritchie Blackmore filling his amps with petrol at the legendary and incendiary California Jam, which blew David Coverdale and Glenn offstage but only blew Ian Paice’s glasses off!
‘You Keep On Moving’ closes the main set with Glenn’s heartfelt speaking about the loss of his Purple brother Jon Lord, Glenn says that Mk3 line-up were close to reforming without Ian Paice, who currently plays with the Mk763 line-up! The show ends with an eruption of applause, which continues until the band return with the Mk2 Ian Gillan epic ‘Highway Star’, which is a surprise and sees Glenn put his foot to the floor unrestrained by his bass. Who is that bass player that appears for this driving anthem?
Now for the finale, Glenn has been reacquainted with his bass and we learn that it is time for ‘Burn’ the Apex goes crazy there is dancing in the balconies, one lady gets out of her wheelchair, such is the healing powers of ROCK!
Now for the finale, Glenn has been reacquainted with his bass and we learn that it is time for ‘Burn’ the Apex goes crazy there is dancing in the balconies, one lady gets out of her wheelchair, such is the healing powers of ROCK!
Briefly back to tonight’s show, if you were seeing this Purple tour for the first time you would have been astounded by the power and musicianship. As Glenn reminds us, he is the last man standing that is playing this material. If you haven’t seen it then I suggest you do, so buy a ticket before the tour concludes. You won’t be disappointed and will be glad you did.
By Paul Mace