Travelled from Belfast for my third gig of the 2005 tour - I have a very understanding wife! While collecting my ticket mid afternoon at the venue I was delighted to meet Laurie, Sound Engineer for Robin Trower, and Steve (Mostin), Backline, and we discussed the success of the European tour, the high standard of musicianship of the band, the great sound balance at the gigs in Manchester and London (my honest opinion - no currency changed hands!), and their respective backgrounds in the music business. It was great to talk to them and a pleasure. 
The venue doors didn’t open until eight o’clock. I was fortunate, however, to meet
John and Martin from London who both helped the wait in the queue to be enjoyable even though the weather was quite cool. When the doors opened we made straight for the area in front of Robin’s pedals and stayed there throughout the gig. 
Robin and the band took to the stage unannounced and for over one and a half 
hours captivated the audience who burst into bouts of applause and yells at the end of each solo, and sustained appreciation for the quality of the playing and material throughout the concert, even though it was apparent it was very warm for the group on stage.
After the obligatory opening flurry of notes by Robin, the band started into ‘Too Rolling Stoned”. It was apparent the band was again in great form and fully in sync with each other throughout the set. 
Robin again demonstrated his capacity for incorporating impromptu licks in his guitar solos’ throughout the set. This is refreshing as some “major league” guitar players are content (restricted!) to reproduce in meticulous fashion at each concert every lick and guitar solo played on the original recording. This, in my humble opinion, makes the music generally lack, to a degree, a certain critical factor, namely ‘soul’. 
Even at the age of sixty there is no doubt Robin’s playing has reached a superior level, even exceeding his earlier periods in the 70’s and 80’s. It is, however, still delivered in his unique soulful and bluesy manner, evidenced by his formidable vibrato, awesome string bending, facial contortions (mostly with his eyes closed) and tremendous guitar tone.
The songs of the new album, particularly, “What’s Your Name”, “Another Time 
Another Place” and the title track “Living out of Time”, went down a storm. I was slightly disappointed Robin didn’t include “Ain’t Gonna Wait” and “I Want To Take You With Me” from the new CD, but maybe in the Autumn (Part 2 of tour) .....?
Other highlights included a great version of “Rise Up Like the Sun” with Robin playing a great wah solo; a soulful and bluesy “Daydream”; “Day of the Eagle” and “Bridge of Sighs”. Robin played some outstanding blues licks on “I want you to love me” supported by Dave’s strong bass lines and great drumming from Pete. 
Once again the band finished with a blistering version of a “Little bit of Sympathy” and left the stage to well earned applause and shouts for more. The smaller type venue is definitely more intimate for Robin, his band, and the fans, and the atmosphere was electric at times. 
The encores included “Come to Me”, and “Secret Place” which proved a fitting end to the concert with its jazzy, bluesy chords and tempo. Robin’s guitar playing was at times amazing and truly emotional during this instrumental.
I would like to thank Robin, the band, and crew, for a memorable concert. I spoke to Robin afterwards and told him he should be proud of the standard of the songs on “Living Out Of Time”. I bought the re-mixed CD at the venue and got the whole group to sign it. (Perhaps Robin should alternate the set list slightly for some gigs to include one or two of the other songs from the album in the set list – only a suggestion!).
I would also like to thank John and Martin from London for being so friendly and hospitable. Finally, to Dylan and the staff of The Brook who were obliging beyond belief, and helped me obtain a poster, meet with Robin and the Band, and obtain autographs. Indeed a great venue in all aspects. Cheers to you all. 
Might see some of you on the second part of the 2005 tour in the Autumn. Here’s hoping it comes off. 

Wow! This tour has been something else, absolutely sensational. 
What more fitting way then to celebrate its passing than with another concert beside the seaside, beside thesea.  
The Astor Theatre is a beautiful, ornate building just a stone’s throw away from Deal’s pedestrian-friendly shopping streets and is arguably one of the Kent coastal town’s most precious gifts. 
Like so much of the fabric of our lives, this particular gift is here thanks to the selfless contribution of a loyal band of volunteers. The trustees and staff of The Astor Theatre lovingly amass a formidable array of talent for the good people of this south eastern-most tip of England, on a regular basis.  Davey Pattison is enjoying a quick fag break with roadies Steve and Lawrie outside the stage door as we roll up outside the theatre on Stanhope Road, time for a few words of thanks from us. He, as the band’s voice, has conjured up the memory of late great and sorely missed, James Dewar throughout this tour. His vocals on this tour have been a revelation.  
Switching to the Royal Hotel, we are reunited with fellow Trower nomads Martin, John and Keith for a few pre-show beers. Then its back to the Astor to catch Jon Amor’s set. It’s his best performance of the tour, without doubt. 
And so we face the final countdown. One or two minor technical hiccups, notably some intermittent and unwelcome feedback has Pete getting up from his post like a flash of lightning.  Robin’s sweet solo in ‘Rolling Stoned’ is full of sharp staccato snatches towards its end. Dave Bronze’s lines ebb and flow freely on ‘Daydream’ and ‘Bridge of Sighs’. Pete crashes through to the next level of pure funk fusion on ‘Come to me’. Once again, ‘Another Time, Another Place’ makes its mark. Davey’s blistering vocal lines on this song are a joy to behold.  
And we will meet another time, another time, another place. 
We very much hope so. In the meantime, Robin, Davey, Pete, Dave, Jon, Lawrie, Steve, Derek, Alan and colleagues – thank you, thank you, thank you for an unforgettable experience these past few weeks, simply Trowertastic!!! 
Thanks also to Steve Shail over there in Canada for keeping us all up-to-speed on what’s new and what’s next! Keep up the good work, Steve!