Black Dog

21st Feb 2007

Line Up :-

Tim (Addison)                                      Lead Singer and occasional guitar.

Andy                                                    Lead guitar and Mandolin.

Craig                                                    Bass, Keyboards and Acoustic

Tony                                                    Drums

Now I am sure I have done a review of Blackdog before but unfortunately I can’t find it in my archives. So this review isn’t going to be as full an in-depth as normal. Any notes I made were during the second set on the back of a beer-mat and I know I have missed some numbers out.

 I have stated before, on the site, where groups lend themselves towards the tribute arena, they have to be on top of their game, so as to avoid unfair criticism. The last time Blackdog played at The Quaker, I recall a superb night of Zep songs albeit a few were lesser-known ones.

On this occasion Blackdog launched straight into Communication Breakdown, followed immediately by Whole Lotta Love. Now Tim has an excellent voice and very Plantesque, so I found, as the night continued, especially on the slower numbers, there was a inordinate amount of echo being used. I feel quite strongly that there should be confidence and trust in your lead singer’s ability to reproduce the sound with only a small adjustment by the soundman. Tony, on drums, ably drove the rhythm forward, and for a change for me, Craig, on bass, could have been a bit more dominant.

‘Ramble On’ sounded better, but even here, rather than dominating and punching the refrain, Page like, Andy seemed to be going through the notes.

A strange choice, then followed, slowing the pace right down to ‘No Quarter’ with Craig performing on keyboards. Now there was nothing wrong with the how it was performed, with Andy reproducing the melodic haunting sound that was needed or in the way Tim sang the song, I just thought it was the wrong song at the wrong time.

It needed something quite special to liven things back up, and we got that with the next two numbers, in ‘Misty Mountain’ and ‘Four Sticks’. Now these numbers were as close to Led Zep so far achieved on the night. Tony, especially on ‘Four Sticks’ gave ample evidence of a dominating the song with the pounding beat necessary for the song to succeed, which it did on all levels.

The first set finished with three acoustic numbers including the introduction of Andy’s mandolin playing. Forgive me if I forgot the first one ( there is only so much room on a Beer Mat!!! Was it the ‘The Way it has to Be? ), but ‘Gone to California’ and ‘The Battle for Evermore’ certainly were there. I preferred ‘Evermore’ simply because Andy’s mandolin playing was better than the previous two.

The shortened second set ( I had to catch the bus plus the fact that the group finished the first set later than normal) included the legendary ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Now this is one song that the group should be pinging right on the money. Although adequately performed with Tim’s vocal range coming to the fore, I felt quite deadened with the way it came over. I don’t know the reason why, but rather than build up to the guitar solo, I was left with the idea that I’ve missed something. I have heard the guitar solo played better ( Russ Tippins and Loveable Rogues), and I may be wrong, but didn’t Tim contribute to the solo the last time? If he didn’t then maybe a different guitar on top of Andy’s may have helped. Then again I’m being picky.

Blackdog are a very good Led Zeppelin tribute band and perhaps the only local group that perform exclusively Zep songs throughout their session. Long may it last!! They are certainly worth seeing, especially for Led Zeppelin fans, perhaps in the future we may get Robert Plant’s Strange Sensation numbers appearing, as well as, those from Coverdale and Page… you never know……….                                                                                                         

 Gazinho