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Harry is a tyrolean, and he is a drummer, so of course he's very interested in music. Today he pulled himself together and also his wife, to drive to Munich to attend a certain concert. Okay, okay, Innsbruck, Austria ain't that far to go to Munich, just about 2 hourse drive. So it's not a world journey. But though it is something special, because firt of all Harry doesn't go too often to concerts, and second, he ain't easily pleased with something and hardly ever stays 'till the very end, - at least when he's part of the audiance. But today it's different for Harry, and that's why he is here at the spot by time, stays 'till the very end of the gig and even a bit longer. 

Paul Gilbert ist the reason for that. But who is Paul Gilbert, who is touring Germany under his own name for the very first time? Some of us, like our Harry know immidiately who is meant by that. Others have heard the name, but are not quite sure, who that is. And the rest don't know at all about this artist and have just come out for curiosity. Fact is indeed, that this musician has got a name in the scene, And Insiders like Harry know this very well.

Okidok, Paul Gilbert was born on nov.6. 1966 in Carbo, Illinois USA, and started playing the guitar aged six. His first band was named 'Electric Fence', beside that, he was tteaching how to play the guitar. In 1986 he founded a band named 'Racer X'. And now some fans get a clue, don't you?! We all have heard from this group before, didn't we Harry?! But first in 1989 with Mr.Big he experienced a worldwide breakthrough and huge success. The result were four studioalbums and five live records. In 1996 when Paul left Mr.Big, he started a solocarriere and worked for Ibanez guitars. 
So far so good for your general knowledge. And let's go back to the present, tonight at the Backstage venue, who is well filled with about 400 fans. To be honest, I'd not thought, that there will be that many people. After a short support slot of a band named MAD, who I did not see, because of doing an interview with Paul Gilbert backstage, the headliner started his set at 9 p.m. With Paul on stage: Mike Szuter: Bass, Jeff Bowders: Drums and  Emi Gilbert: Keyboards.

Dressed in a smart Nasa astrounaut overal wearing additionally some overdimensional headphones, Pauls presents us a bit of everything of his works. Oh by the way, he doesn't wear those headphones because of technical reasons, neither because of a cool look. They fullfill only the reason for saving Pauls quite weak hearing. However, I must admit, it suits him.
Whatever started out a bit heavy going, grows up to an artistic performance during the stint Also the bass is phantastic.You've got to remember the name Mike Szuter for the future.
Meanwhile Paul has found the right way in the middle to combine his talent with the show and not getting into endless solos. This man is really good in what he does. And he is quite a character with his long and slim silhouette.  

The setlist, as you can see below, includes solo tracks from his current instrumental album 'Get Out Of My Yard',the hitsingles of Mr.Big and exspecially  quite a few pieces of Racer X. And this my friends of good taste, does exspecially please Harry, and not only him. 
I am a bit surprised by watching the audiance which consists not only of the older generation, who grew with Mr. Big and Racer X, but also quite a few young kids. I should have asked them, what the challenge was to come here and check Paul Gilbert out. 
However, Jimi Hendrix gives his blessings from about, and that one sounds like 'Foxy Lady'.

Oh, it's been great, Harry says afterwards, although a bit exhausting in it's entire performance. And if it hadn't been Paul up there, our tyrolean fan would have left early again. Don't forget, there is a two hour drive back home in front of him. But of course because of Paul it's a natural matter of course to stay on for a bit afterwards for a quick shake hands in the dressingroom. It's been a few years now since the last meeting.
And Paul, yes of course he is pleased to meet his old collegue Harry again, who once upon a time played the drums in Racer X. It's been nice seeing again after a long time. 
So hopefully it won't take too long 'till next time........ http://www.paulgilbert.com/

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