Thanks to a much-praised new album, Music For The Divine (featuring contributions from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) the career of ex-Deep Purple/Black Sabbath singer and bassist Glenn Hughes has hit a new peak lately, making this London show the subject of much expectation.
Hughes and band were on stunning form, repaying the anticipation of the slightly comatose Sunday night crowd with a storming set of songs. The Mk III Purple tunes Hughes knocked out, including a mighty version of Burn, were obvious highlights, but his own material (notably Don’t Let Me Bleed and his signature tune, Soul Mover) is equally solid. But it was the 54- year-old singer’s unearthly vocals that left the audience stunned. If any proof was needed that the ‘Voice Of Rock’ still deserves his nickname, tonight’s gig provided plenty. If only more of Hughes’ contemporaries, of which very few are in as good shape, vocally or otherwise, could still cut it to this standard.
