Duane Eddy - Oran Mor, Glasgow, 16/5/2012
by Andy Cassidy
published: 23 / 6 / 2012
intro
Andy Cassidy watches guitar legend Duane Eddy play a triumphant gig at the Oran Mor in Glasgow and twang his thang on his first show there in forty years
Walking up Glasgow’s Byres Road, my gig companion and I speculated about the audience numbers and demographic for Duane Eddy’s show. Nothing could have prepared us for the sheer number of people who had come out to watch the 74-year-old strutting his stuff or should I say “twanging his thang?” With the room full to bursting, Eddy appeared onstage with the backing band which Richard Hawley has generously loaned him for his current tour. Indeed, Hawley is a confirmed fan, and was responsible for the production of Eddy’s latest album, 2011’s 'Road Trip'. Eddy’s set included several tracks from 'Road Trip', including the title track and the superb 'Bleaklow Air', the latter showcasing just how tight his band can be. Everything about Eddy’s performance exuded style, from the economy of his movement to his choice of material and his between song banter. Dressed in black and wearing a Stetson, Eddy was the epitome of cool for the duration of his ninety minute set, at one point telling the audience, “They say I invented surf music. I didn’t mean to!” The highlights for me were Eddy’s better-known hits; 'Shazam', 'Yep, Movin’ and Groovin’, 'Peter Gunn', 'Ramrod', '3:30 Blues' – all were present and correct and sounded magnificent. Even Eddy’s newer material with which I wasn’t quite so familiar (in particular 'Attack of the Duck-Billed Platypu's)sounded superb as Eddy put his band through their paces. Watching Eddy play is like watching the antithesis of every modern guitarist. He rarely moves beyond midway up the fret-board, and many of his most memorable pieces are played on the bass strings. This is a welcome change from the usual squealing guitar which one can hear practically everywhere. As a mix of great music and nostalgia, the gig was an absolute triumph with Eddy and his band seemingly enjoying it as much as the audience. Some of Eddy’s music may have dated, but one has to remember that some of it is fifty years old. Prior to the gig, Eddy had not played Glasgow for over forty years. I hope he returns soon.
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2012) |
Lisa Torem chats to influential guitarist Duane Eddy about his forthcoming British tour, and 'Road Trip', his first album in twenty four years, which he has recorded with Richard Hawley |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart