This was our first visit to the Cavern Freehouse in Raynes Park in deep south-west london and certainly the first time I've seen a gig in this part of town, it's a decent pub with loads of rock ephemera on the walls, that obviously leans towards the most famous band to come out of the real Cavern Club in Liverpool, as well as some of the "Local" artists to do well, like that Lou Reed chap who wrote his biggest hit not far from the venue.
The opening act for the night was Dirty Al the rather bruised folk singer, who played a set of songs mainly written for the Dirty Strangers and opened the show playing Anything You Say a bruised song of love and betrayal, the protagonist made clear all you've got to do is smile and you'll always get whatever you want.
Al dedicated Special Girl to his own very Special Girl Jackie who gave him a sly grin or two as this stripped back version allowed the lyrics to seem more poignant. Last Look At Love from Burn The Bubble had all the bitter regrets at the conclusion of yet another relationship, before Al told us all about Little Miss Vanity that was played almost like it was a Phil Ochs Greenwich Village folk tune.
It was then time for the poor dumped bloke to cry into his bitter shandy, his love had taken it All Away. Still at least that allowed him to go on the prowl again to find a lady who was Easy To Please who would be able to put all his worries behind him.
The next song was dedicated to proper old school wrong 'uns so that Al could make clear that the past is gonna catch up on you and you'll end up being Knuckledusted that old school 70's retribution being a fitting way to deal with all the grief you cause.
Al dedicated Here She Comes to Ronnie Wood who he wrote the song with, played as a soul bearing folk song, it had more of the wide eyed bon vivant about it. Stay For A Little While is the rogues charter in a three-minute song, making clear that although you made it clear you're not staying overnight, he would like some fun and games before you sashay out the door.
Oh Yeah worked really well stripped back to its Lefty Frizzell style roots, he'll still let that Kraken out, only it's not quite as explosive. Didn't Want To Be An Angel is about the sort of girl Al always likes to meet, she wants a good time and knows how to get it.
Al then introduced a new song from the bands next album that may end up being called The Dirty Strangers Go Country, not sure they will have any of those Beyonce style square dance tunes mind, the new song If You Won't Leave Me, I'll find Someone Who Will is good and tawdry, for the sort of horrible bloke who drags the woman who loves me into the gutter and beyond, while taking all her drugs, booze and cash and rarely even having the humility to say thank you. The opening set closed with a game of beat the intro before a good sing along to Bathing Belles and all our dreams of those seaside girls.
After a short break that was long enough for the valves on the bands latest guitarist Stuart Brands amp to warm up nicely, the current line up of Laurence Fox on drums, John Proctor On Bass, Stuart Brand (From Four King Hell/High Octane Junkies) Lead guitar and Alan Clayton Rhythm guitar and vocals to open with Slap Bang that was totally in our faces with Stuart adding some extra crunch and sounding closest to Bernie Torme among the list of other guitarists to have filled that slot.
Hunters Moon slowed the pace a bit with John and Stuart joining in on backing vocals, State Of Affair took a peak at some more cheating and lying covered in some judiciously inserted guitar squalls. Liberty Smile had all the cheek of the rogue getting away with it again.
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Love For Life is another song about Jackie and the guitars really went stratospheric in places. Al may have asked for a tequila to help him along and keep him Satisfied like the audience was, at this good crunchy version. Baby was a touch toned down.
Hands Up was a total rampage and Stuart was clearly enjoying adding the odd extra lick to this classic, Al took a look around and dedicated Bad Girls to Jo for a great salacious dirty rocking version. Pirates Don't Get Pensions as always makes clear how hard it is to survive at the lower end of the rock business.
One thing it wasn't was a Cold Night, so the chill they conjured up of being given the shoulder again was cool, Lol's almost effortless drumming helped set the atmosphere. Recent single La La La I Couldn't Care Less threatened a need for some lighters in the air, but instead most of us sang along instead.
Alan then paid tribute to his old friend and band mate Brian James by playing two of his classics New Rose was a gutsy version and Stuart really let rip on a taut tight solo, Al then made clear Slow It Down was for Brian and his wife Minna I think this is one of the songs Alan sang the first time I heard him live singing in the Brian James Gang at the 100 club.
As always, My Girls A Getaway Driver was dedicated to Jackie and this rip roared around The Cavern Freehouse at 100 mph. Alan did the beat the intro game again before Diamonds that had a bit more beef to it than usual, as Stuarts style didn't seem to suit the slower more sensitive songs.
Alan made clear in the intro that South Of The River was about cab drivers like me, who used to refuse to go South Of The River after dark, they had plenty of fun with it and the fact they had dragged me south of the water to see them. Like normal Al told us about writing She's A Real Boticelli with Keef at Redlands, they went into this great song of lust that saw lots of glances to make sure all the bits Stuart added fitted in, they really did.
It was time to celebrate Alans real stomping ground, on a great version of Shepherds Bush City Limits that we had passed through on the train to this gig, this had plenty of oomph to it, they revved up the machine for Gold Cortina the perfect set closer that featured some band intros and nifty solos to leave us all grinning and wanting a little bit more.
They encored with Ain't Nothing But A House Party and it had really felt pretty much like that all night long at the end of another great show by The Dirty Strangers, we'd even survived an evening in south London in one piece.
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