Posted on Classic Rock News by "Jason Ritchie"
papa_bear70@...


Looking forward to seeing Foreigner for the first time and
although Lou Gramm has left after recovring from his brain tumor and
finding religion, the reviews of 'newboy' Kely Hansen (Hurricane)
have been glowing. But first up Deborah Bonham and her band (who
featured ex-Humble Pie man Jerry Shirley on drums). They palyed a
tight set of blues based rock and in deborah Bonham they have a very
powerful yet melodic vocalits. Sadly though this band are out if
time in that had they been around in the early 70's they would have
been massive with their brand of music. Still very enjoyable and a
band worth seeing live (Jerry Shirley on drums was a joy to watch).
Now Foreigner 2006 are a different beast than the last time they
toured the UK in the 90's. Gone is original vocalist Lou Gramm
leaving guitarist Mick Jones as the sole original member. Joining
him are long time Foreigner sidemen Jeff Jacobs (keys) and Tommy
Sobel (guitars/flute/sax) with newboys Jason Bonham
(Bonham/UFO/Virginia Wolf) on drums, Jeff Pilson (War &Peace/Dokken)
on bass and Steve Tyler doppledanger Keyy Hansen (Hurricane) on
vocals. Were they any good? Just a bit & them some! Playing a very
rocky set (mind you Foreigner were never a ballads band it was more
the record company after hit singles) including 'Cold As Ice'
(complete with spot on harmonies), 'Headgames', 'Starider', 'Feels
Like the First Time', 'Double Vision', 'Urgent' and 'Blue Morning
Blue Day'. Yes we had a few slower moments like 'Waiting For A Girl
Like You' and an acoustic run through 'Say You Will' which gave the
song a whole new lease of life. The band clicked from the off and in
Kely Hansen they have a frontman who not only gives the songs
justice but works the crowd well. Jason Bonham and Jeff Pilson fit
together hand in glove and Pilson is like a jack-in-the-box bouncing
all over the stage. These three new members have given the band a
whole new lease of life and I for one hope they record new music.
The extended 'Jukebox Hero' was the only slight lull as the band
slipped in Led Zep's 'Whole Lotta Love'. Encore time bought a nice
surprise as bassist Rick Wills (since his Foreigner days
he's has toured with Bad Company and is now in Kenny Jones' new
band) came on for the closing number 'Hot Blooded' and with his tan
he nearly outshone that of the Tango like Mick Jones.
One of the best gigs I have seen in a long time and go see this
band as they ROCK!

Jason Ritchie