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About six months ago, Russ Ballard has been here before in Munich at the tiny Monofaktur Club,  for an pre acoustic set to represent his new album 'Book Of Love. At this occassion just about 100 souls found their way there to check out one of the best songwriters and musicians and most underrated artists ever. 
Here yoy can read about this event last autumn. 
Tonight at the Elserhalle, half year later, 1.300 music freaks have finally woken up and gathered round. And yes, he honestly does deserve this echo. Who would have thought this?! Probably he himself was the least person to believe, that their would be so many people. So thanks to the promoter, thanks to the media, and thanks to all the music fans who are here right now.  

                                           

Support is coming once more from our local Bluesrock hero Rev.Rusty & The Case, who takes another effort to weak up the luv for the blues inside the heads of the mainstream AOR fans. And yes, in some ways, he gets the deserved applause. So hopefully next time he is doing a solo gig somewhere around town, some more curious kids come along again. It's just to keep the blues alive, he says.  Congratulation Rusty, this is a fine welcome and a decent performance including cool english introduction and announcements inbetween. Sounds better, doesn't it?! :-))) okay, seriously, I think you're great, and I'm not saying that, because you're a friend of mine. Got me?!!!

I've seen Russ Ballard live three times before. Once in England in a pub, once at an open air festival here in Bavaria, and last time at the acoustic performance. This here now is the fourth time and the first time within a full indoor venue concert. - My first Russ Ballard record I purchased in 1980, and since then, I'm a fan of his music. To be honest I had some doubts about tonights gig, because I know him as a rather quiet person. And for the acoustic show this might be okay. But is it enought for a full energy electric guitar Rock'n'Roll live show with full powever! I was'Nt sure, because the sparkle didn't really jump over at the open air appearance as I remember. 


But after only one minute all my doubts have suddenly vanished, because this here is another Russ Ballard, an energetic rocker, who seems to be much happier nowadays then in the past. And most of all, he seems at least 30 years younger than he is. He starts the set straight with a steamy rocksong - 'Rene Didn't Do It' from the Barnet Dogs album, - which is by the way my fave album. I can't avoid smiling, because with this song he takes the people's breath. Most of the know Russ Ballard since the black album with the song 'Voices' on it. With this album he had changed to more quiet tunes. So nobody really expected a heavy tune in the beginning. Asking him for the reasons about the tempo change in music, he puts it to the general life attitude which changes over the years. 
But now we know, Russ can still rock, and he does this not only with his music but also with his appearance. Holy sh... it's almost unbelievable, how great his condition is. And I ask myself, where he takes this new  youth from..


                                               

With him on stage his old longtime friend Bob Henrit, who is on his side since the early sixties, and always joined him off and on stage - from Argent 'till today. Bob was and still is always present. There is also Chris Winter on guitar and keyboard, steve Jones on keyboard and last but not least Chris Childs, who normally plays the bass for Thunder. 

Besides solo-songs, russ entertains the audiance also with a medley with tracks he composed for other people like So You Win Again’,  Hot Chocolate has a hit with, ‚New York Groove’ which was recorded by Hello or ‚Since you’ve been Gone’ which went to fame performed by Rainbow. But the highpoint comes with 'God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You' - thankx to Kiss. Apart from that another rocker is 'On The Rebound'  also from The Barnet Dogs album, and yes of course 'Voices' and also the new album 'Book Of Love'  is introduced. 

                                                                           


And then Russ gets  his daughter Karis on stage. She flew in from England today to surprise her Dad. And I've got to say, that this was the very first time she has gone on a plane in her entire life, because of being scared to fly. She must have taken all her strenght to come over this. And she did, - just for her dad. 
Despite the fact, that the sound wasn't a 100% clear and the musical performance not a 100% perfect, I still presume, with the action of Karis, the huge audiance and their reaction makes this gig here in Munich unforgetable most of all for Russ himself. I'm pretty sure about it. So hopefully he'll be back soon again.
Oh yes, one thing I forgot and I have to criticice. My favorite song wasn't on the setlist....

.... she came in the night in a raging storm, the wind called her name and it rained ‘till the dawn. The men from the town the gathered round, does anybody know where that girl was found….....


Karis, that suits to you, doesn't it?! The  Song came out when you where born.....    See you soon....
http://www.russ-ballard.com/

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Diary for Aftershow snapshots

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