The Pete Roth Trio in Cranleigh last night.
Guitarist Pete Roth, bassist Mike Pratt and a rejuvenated recently out of retirement former Yes and King Crimson stick swiper Bill Bruford gave us two sets of beautifully complex jazz rock fusion executed with pleasure and consummate skill.
Having enjoyed Bill Bruford's expertise since I first saw him back in 1987 on BBC 2's Rock School demonstrating the then new-fangled Simmons electronic percussion, and discovering the magic of his work with Yes and King Crimson later on, it was a joy to see him at 76 years young having so much fun just being the drummer in a band again.
A tight and very entertaining unit, I'd love to see them again at some point.
Pete and Mike must be pinching themselves. BB has always seemed like a lovely unassuming chap. Gutted I missed him with KC by a few years - first time I saw them in 2000 it was down to the Double Duo lineup. I know he went to see the final 3 drummer lineup. Would have loved to have seen him guest with them.
I was waiting to go into the Albert Hall for KC when BB strolled past - a few people asked him if he was guesting - he just smiled and shook his head. (A few minutes later, Nile Rodgers jumped out of a car and disappeared swiftly into the venue... that caused a few raised eyebrows, I must say. He reappeared 10 minutes later and drove off).
The guest I would dearly love to have seen that night was our Jude singing I Talk to the Wind. Sadly, that can never happen, on this earth, at any rate.
