Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders performing at The Lowdham Village Hall Nottinghamshire on Friday 3rd February 2017


Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

Lowdham Village Hall welcomed rock royalty last night as Andy Fairweather Low and his band The Low Riders played to a packed crowd who had snapped up all available tickets within three days of them going on sale.

The former singer with the band Amen Corner was joined on stage by an impressive ensemble, all of whom have excellent personal pedigrees. There was saxophonist Nick Pentelow who played in Wizzard in the early 70’s, drummer Paul Beavis and bassist Dave Bronze who are now essentially a very successful band in their own right.

From the opening number of the first set; Tough Beat, the audience knew that they were in for a real treat. They were taken on a gentle journey of styles and influences with such treasures as Bend Me Shape Me, the lovely gentle Traveling Light and the heavy blues of La La Music with its saxophone driven riffs.

There was something for everyone as the second set took up where the first had left off with the funky La Booga Rooga and When Things Go Wrong with its clarinet magic from Pentelow. Tearing through his solos with his distinctive sound that has featured on so many of his classic recordings of the past five decades, Fairweather Low also showed his natural demeanour with his between song banter which was funny, self deprecating and very entertaining.

Showing his outstanding guitar skills, the main set was brought to an explosive end with a medley of Tequila, the excellent Peter Gunn, Apache and Hide Away, which brought this appreciative audience to their feet.

The finale started with Route 66, before they rounded off with Amen Corner’s massive hit (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice, which really has stood the test of time as this thoroughly entertained crowd left still singing it.