Bernie Torme – Bannermans – Edinburgh 15th November 2018

Tonight in Edinburgh, it was cold (so cold in fact, that it made nipples like fruit pastilles) and wetter than a teenage girl reading 50 Shades Of Grey. But that didn’t deter a rock n roll hungry crowd from descending upon Bannermans for the mighty Bernie Torme.

Tonight proved a point, Bernie is indeed a legend in his own guitar case and backed by Mik Gaffney on drums and Sy Morton on bass, if you were in a band just starting out and happened to be in the audience tonight, this was a masterclass on how a performance should be.

Torme can plank spank like a man possessed and his virtuosity is outstanding. Every note, ounce of controlled feedback and every squeal from that guitar was so emotive. Quite simply outstanding. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a guitar player quite like him in all honesty.

Mik is an absolute beast behind the drums. He pounds on the kit in the same way that Manuel Jose was beaten by Al Masry fans.

Sy is not only a formidable bassist but after hearing him crank out the vocals for Mr. Crowley, my jaw hit the floor. What a rendition and Bernie proved that (despite Ozzy fans at the time not liking his playing) he was the right man to fill Randy Rhodes shoes before Brad Gillis.

The set was monstrous. Splattered with classics from his Gillan days (Trouble and New Orleans), his brief stints with Ozzy (Mr, Crowley and Paranoid) and of course his immense back catalog (Come The Revolution, Can’t Beat Rock N Roll and Star along with many others).

Tonight’s show may only be halfway through this ‘Final Fling’ Tour as he’s heading off on retirement. But what a way to go out. Not only is the latest album Shadowland a belter, but tonight’s live performance is in my top 5 shows of all time.
Gawd bless ya Bernie. It’s been a pleasure to watch you perform.

For all things Bernie Torme, click HERE and to purchase Shadowland and many other outstanding Torme albums, click HERE