Brian Setzer + Imelda May @ Grand Rex, Paris June 28 2011

Brian Setzer + Slim Jim Phantom & Imelda May @ Grand Rex
Paris June 28 2011

Imelda May

Very busy week in Paris, almost 2 or 3 interesting shows on the same day, tonight we had to chose between Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire & Brian Setzer featuring Slim Jim Phantom plus support slot Imelday May.
We couldn't miss rock'n Roll guitar slinger Brian Setzer.
The Grand Rex is one of my favorite concert hall in Paris , it's cosy & beautiful.

New sensation from Ireland Imelday May is opening, retro & rockabilly, perfect support band for Brian Setzer.
Most of the audience has already left their seats when she's taking the stage for a cool rock set.
Nice voice & nice poses too.

Last time we saw Brain Setzer was with The Stray cats @ Zénith (click for review & Pics) on their farewell Tour.It ended up badly as they left the stage before the last song as someone threw a switchblade-...comb on stage and Brian didn't like it.

Brian Setzer rocking

For the first part of the show Brian is playing his songs with his band (bass & drums + acoustic guitar player on a couple of songs).

There's a Riot going on !

For the second part of the show, there's a different band playing featuring Slim Jim Phantom on drums & another bas player: most of the set is Stray Cats songs: all the hits & more
This time and unlike Ringo Starr's gig a couple of days ago there are NO dull parts, it's rocking from the first song to the last.
Brian solo songs are great (i'll get the setlist soon) and of course Stray Cats songs are classics.
Brain's guitar playing is still the same and as usual he's smiling for the whole set.
Even if you don't know all the songs you can't help clapping your hands or stomping your feet as all the songs are very groovy.

With Slim Jim Phantom

On your Feet or...

...On your Knees !

SETLIST: (Thanks to ISA)
Setzer+Hatton+Levy
1-Ignition
2-'49 Mercury Blues
3-This Cat On The Hot Tin Roof
4-Drive Like Lightning
5-8 Track

Band + Mac Kendree
6-Slow Down/Prison Folson Blues
7-Put Your Cat Clothes On
8-Blue Moon Of Kentucky

Setzer+Hatton+Levy
9-Pickpocket

Setzer+Phantom+D'Rozario
10-Rumble In Brighton
11-Runaway Boys
12-Sexy+17
13-Stray Cats Strut

Band + Mac Kendree
14-Red Hot
15-Blast Off
16-Hillbilly Jazz Meltdown/Fishnet Stockings

All Musicians
17-Encore 1: Rock This Town
18-Encore 2: 7 Nights To Rock

For the last part of the show both bands are joining in for some more Stray cats songs and covers including "Rock this Town" here on video.
One of the best gig for 2011 so far.

Goodbye Paris, France.

Brian & Slim Jim together again.

Rock this Town:

Arcade Fire @ Zénith June 28 2011

Arcade Fire @ Zénith, Paris June 28 2011

All Pics (C) Motley Mime

SETLIST: (TBC) click on links for videos
1) Ready to start
2) Keep the cart running
3) Neighborhood#2
4) No cars go
5) Haity
6) Empty room
7) Intervention
8) Rococo
9) Vampire/Forest Fire
10) The Suburbs
11) Month of may
12) Rebellion
13) We used to wait
14) Neighborhood #3
15) Neighborhood # 1
Encore
16) Wake Up
17) Sprawl II (another recording)

Iron Maiden @ Bercy, paris June 27 2011

Iron Maiden @ Paris Bercy June 27 2011

(c) all Pics "Motley Mime"

SETLIST: (click on links for videos)

1. Satellite 15... The Final Frontier
2. El Dorado
3. 2 Minutes to Midnight
4. The Talisman
5. Coming Home
6. Dance of Death
7. The Trooper
8. The Wicker Man
9. Blood Brothers
10. When the Wild Wind Blows
11. The Evil That Men Do
12. Fear of the Dark
13. Iron Maiden
Encore
14. The Number of the Beast
15. Hallowed Be Thy Name
16. Running Free

Ringo Starr & his All Starr Band @ Palais des Sports, Paris June 26 2011

Ringo Starr & his All Starr Band @ Palais des Sports
Paris June 26 2011

RINGO STARR

The last time Ringo Starr played in Paris was in 1992 or 1993 @ Zénith with a different All Starr Band, we were already there.
Even though, he hasn't been in Paris for a long time, it was far from being sold-out, some parts had black curtains to cover empty seats in the back & on both sides.
A few weeks before the show tickets were suddenly sold for a cheaper price on official websites, tickets were halfprice, the cheapest being 30 Euros. ( Originally The Carré Or was 150 euros).
Won't talk about the support band that was complete crap.
The stage is beautiful (nice backdrop) and the sound is not to loud.
Cool start with "Don't come easy" with Ringo singing down the front.
He has some (very good) musicians on this tour, first the drummer Greg Bissonette who already played with David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani & Toto among many others.
Glad to see Edgar Winter & Rick Derringer back together on the same stage.
When you go to see Ringo that's his concert but also his musicians' so they're taking the lead for their own songs.
Very good parts with Edgar Winter & Rick Derringer: these guys rock but I have my doubts about the others : Richard Page and his Mr Mister AOR songs, same with Gary Wright and Wally Palmar and his The Romantics songs.

Rick Derringer on guitar

So there are good parts (Beatles songs) even if Ringo's voice is not on top form, his solo songs are ok but there are also less interesting parts ( or dull moments) with the other guys. I mean who cares about The Romantics over here.

Edgar Winter

Thankfully Edgar Winter was there to add a bit a crazyness with "Frankestein" and Rick Derringer a bit of blues rock with "Good Morning little school girl" and specially a great version of " Rock'n Roll Hoochie Koo".

Richard Page & Wally Palmar

We're used to rock concerts @ Rockerparis and it's hard to see that people remained seated for most of the set, some people tried to go down the front for "Yellow Submarine" but Ringo' Tour manager asked the security to have them sent back to their seat (?!?).
Later during the show the guy from the security went to the first row telling them that NOW ! they could stand up next to the stage. Finally !

setlist: ( missing probably one or two songs ) click on links for videos
It Don't Come Easy
Honey Don't
Choose Love
Hang On Sloopy (Rick Derringer)
Free Ride (Edgar Winter)
Talking In Your Sleep (The Romantics)
I Wanna Be Your Man
Dream Weaver (Gary Wright)
Kyrie (Mr Mister)
The other side of Liverpool
Yellow Submarine
Frankenstein (Edgar Winter)
Peace Dream
Back Off Boogaloo
What I Like About You (The Romantics)
Rock & Roll, Hoochie Koo (Rick Derringer)
Boys
Love Is Alive
Broken Wings (Mr Mister)
Photograph
With A Little Help From My Friends
Give Peace A Chance

The end of the show was a bit more wild

Overall good show just above average.

Merchandising (check the prices for the signed item !!!)

Last song "With a Little from my Friends":