Black Country Communion Hammersmith Odeon 4-1-48

On the 20th of September 2010 I had the honour and privilege of being invited to the first ever gig that Black Country Communion performed on the day of the release of their first cd and broadcast live on Planet Rock.

It was a magical evening that may never ever be topped and arriving at Hammersmith Odeon (Joe Bonamassa calls it that so that’s good for me) this had the same feel.

A real sense of anticipation as the mythical 8 legged rock machine are finally back on stage 6 and a half years since it last happened.Glenn Hughes brought up many times about the band 's friendship and then Joe stated he woke up and decided to be an arsehole and it all stopped surrounding the circumstances of the band's third album Afterglow and no shows being played.

With this being the second of only 2 shows that the UK and Europe will see and one aboard a ship in the US towards the end of February it was no surprise to see fifth member producer Kevin Shirley side stage as the shows were being recorded for an upcoming dvd.

The lights dimmed and an air raid siren started as search lights pierced the darkness and we were off with Sway off the new album BCCIV starting a 2 hour 10 minute show where the energy levels never dipped.

Second song in and a highlight.The sound was crystal clear loud but everyone audible.Glenn's vocals were precise and his range immense and you forget what an amazing bass player he is too.Derek Sherinian's keys and Hammond organ added a real depth and filled out the sound when Joe played his first of many stunning guitar solo's and at the back Jason Bonham is the definition of power house and his snare sound was superb.One Last Soul off their debut cd is a the perfect 4 minute classic rock song with a wonderful chorus and everyone playing just spot on.My mind went back to the debut show and the hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention in the glorious moment.

Many band's save their epic songs for mid set or as an an encore.BCC played Wanderlust off BCCIV 4 songs in and it's 8 minute journey from Jason's insistent drum beat to Derek's Hammond swathes to Joe's guitar melodies to Glenn's stunning vocal passages this was very special.As Joe ripped out the heavy riff at the 6 minute mark the next couple of minute's were some of the finest I have ever seen.A full band work out with Joe's guitar solo soaring to the heaven's and to think was only the second time it had ever been played.
Simply amazing.

From the smiles on stage the band were getting as much out of the show as we were.

Next was the debut cd beauty in Song Of Yesterday with Joe showing his voice and range are also a world class instrument and the tone and melody in the intro and guitar solo was life affirming.5 songs in and I needed a lay down from this delight in front of us all.

This Is Your Time was the only song played from Afterglow maybe too difficult to play too many as it nearly caused the band's final implosion.

The Last Song For My Resting Place saw a guest appearance from Gerry O'Connor from The Dubliners on mandolin and fiddle and it was as good live as I had hoped with the light show adding to the ambiance as the song ebbed and flowed.Joe's vocal was again stellar and another 8 minute's went past in a flash and another highlight.

Black Country ended the main set and Glenn's voice and range showed The Voice Of Rock has lost no power or range with his mid song embellishment of the chorus had Joe trying his very best and succeeding in mimicking his words.Wow.And Glenn's bass sound was something spectacular too. 

BBCIV opener and first single Collide with it's taut muscular riff was the first encore before the set closer Mistreated rounded off the evening.This was the first song Glenn and Joe played on 10 years ago so seemed the right way to end a show many feared would never happen.Joe and Glenn mid song again showed off their musical and vocal chops with each trying to do out do the other and we all stood to applaud musical perfection.

With each band member so busy in 2018 with Joe's never ending world tour,Derek's Sons Of Apollo tour,Glenn's solo world tour and Jason's summer tour of the US with Foreigner and Whitesnake  who knows when we will see any more shows?

We can only keep our fingers crossed.

Four incredible musicians.
One incredible band.
One incredible night.

Black Country Communion thank you.

All photos credited and used with thanks to Christie Goodwin