Link put on a dyjnamite show in
Chicago.
Fitzgeralds is relatively small
venue so Link did not have the Marshall or orange colored amp. Link played
out of a Fender tube amp that could not take the whoopin' Link put it
through. Link made the best of it with funny facial expressions and
comments like "Amps and me never get along!" Link even teased
the amp with a call and response routine where link would hit a chord put his
hand to his ear as the amp responded with its audio death rattle. Link
kept on playin while he informed the crowd that "its gonna
blow!" He has obviously been in this position before and knows how to
turn it into a positive.
Link had a full house and very
enthusiastic audience. I wasn't expecting any vocals but he did his
rendition of "Fire ", "It Was So Easy"and "King
Creole." On the instrumental side he performed Rumle twice Batman
twice(each better the second time).
A new amp had arrived by then.
He also performed Ace of spades Jack the Ripper,Rumble on the docks,Im
Branded,Mr. Guitar. He played two other insrumentals that I was not
familiar with one of which he has played almost every time I have seen him but I
have never heard on record.
I was close
enough to watch it and have learned it for my home pickin' pleasure.
As usual Link kept the big smile on
as he insured he was infusing the spirit of Rock & Roll into all who
attended. I have never seen him have so much fun as this night. At
times he was as in control of his music and audience as any musician could ever
hope to be. He has become more lovable with age but certainy he ain't no
oldies act!
I saw link at Fitzgerald's saturday.
He was great, amp was a big problem. Aother thing, Fitzgerald's probably
has the best sound of any club i've ever been to, they have a great sound man
there.
However, most people don't play loud
there, amps are turned down and they get volume thru the PA. Link, well he
plays with the amp turned to 11! You could barely hear him sing and the
amp sounded AWFUL. Fitzgerald's usually
hosts more "roots rock" players, it is not a loud club.
Opening band, The Silvermen, were great,
kinda surf rockabilly instros mostly.
I'm going to see Link tomorrow
night at Vnuks, hopefully someone will have a marshall amp for him there.