The Pirates
Birmingham Musician
10th November, 2007

After 50 years in the business, you could be excused for thinking that one of the institutions of British rhythm and blues would be happy to settle for the cabaret circuit. Nothing could be further from the truth, a set of blistering, up-tempo rock’n’roll from Johnny Kidd’s old mates thrilling a near-packed house. Guitarist Mick Green has inspired more than one generation of budding axemen with his superb, edgy playing, and he showed that he’s lost none of his ability to combine lead and rhythm with one strike of the plectrum. He delighted in telling us that co-original member, bassist Johnny Spence, is an OAP, and indulged in some hilarious banter. Mixing rockabilly with songs from excellent mid-70s album Out Of Their Skulls, the set concluded with the inevitable Shakin’ All Over, sounding as fresh as the day it was written. They came back on for an equally good Baby Please Don’t Go.