As promised, the Down To Earth songs we all know (Since You Been Gone, All Night Long, Lost in Hollywood etc) were delivered interspersed with Taz Taylor Band songs plus a bonus performance in the form of MSG's Desert Song. Although the Rainbow songs are well known and well trusted live stalwarts, the band put a new angle on them.

Keyboards (Bob Miller) were proficient and well up front in the mix (shades of Tony Carey) and although billed as Blackmore/Schenker devotee, Taz Taylor showed attention to detail and melody more akin to Eric Johnston. With not many effects and no distortion to hide mistakes - it was a masterclass in playing effortlessly.

All cues were met, incendiary drumming from Val Trainor (in particular the Stargazer intro) and a bass player (Dirk Krause) taking centre stage at times matching Graham scream for scream.

A subdued (due to the plush surroundings) but very happy crowd got their money's worth and saw Graham literally giving heart and soul in his performance. No dud notes for someone in hospital that day with a throat infection is impressive full stop.

And this report from
Paul Nathan

I went to the Stables just to see Graham Bonnet, one of the great vocalists of the last 30 years and came away hugely impressed by the Taz Taylor Band. More impressed than I was with the soundman and the mildly apathetic audience.

Great to see the band having the confidence to showcase so many of their own songs in the mix with classic Rainbow, the glorious Desert Song and the evergreen Night Games. They battled away and produced a great set. The new songs from Welcome to American and Caffeine Racer - Fighter's Fist, Pot of Gold, Welcome to America, Radio Luxembourg, Caffeine Racer and the immense Happy Hour particularly - working well live. They more than held their own in the illustrious company they were keeping. Having now played Welcome To America to a standstill at home, I think Haunted would make a great addition to the set.

Graham and the band showed that the voice is still immense and the TTB have real talent in their own right. Overcoming the technical glitches was no mean achievement and to come out and chat after the show said a lot about them. Nice to see Don Airey there flying the flag, just a shame there weren't more paying punters. They deserve better.

PS. And a quick note for Planet of Women - rare to see a support band work so damn hard. Blitch the bassist from NYC and the guitarist were great. Good luck to them.