Great White
Shepherd's Bush Empire
London, UK
February 2, 2008

by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer

Comments: Great White are currently on their 25th anniversary tour, and on February 2 they played at Shepherd's Bush Empire, one of the best theatre venues in London - 2,000 in capacity and known for being able to create a truly magical ambience for musicians wanting to play more intimate shows. On the night, however, Shepherd’s Bush Empire was two thirds empty. The band braved this by toning down their sound and turning the atmosphere into an almost club-like, managing in the end to deliver a good enough show, encouraged by the group of loyal fans gathered close to the front of the stage to support their heroes.

As if confirming that this date should have really been played in a club, on the night Great White didn’t overstep the limits of what is usually expected from a commendable but formulaic club band. Their energy that evening was if not completely shot then certainly somewhat deflated, none of the members feeling inspired to show particular instrumental brilliance or emotional profundity. The show was, as expected, full of rock-solid stompers with an odd ballad thrown in here and there for good measure, but a lot of vitality and conviction that this band is capable of conveying wasn't there on the night.

The best number of the set was the extended “On Your Knees”, with slowed down hypnotic middle section quoting a chunk out of Led Zeppelin’s epic “Achilles Last Stand”. This was where guitarist Mark Kendall finally overcame the initial rust that transpired in his leads in the beginning of the show, and brought his chops in focus for a nuanced solo, floating beautifully over the poised harmony, and spookily resembling Jimmy Page with the quasi-mystical manner in which he alternated the eerie sustained notes with eloquent runs, suggesting an interest in prog rock as well as in Seventies psychedelia. The song was a traditional classic rock showcase, stretched out to highlight not only Kendall, but also bassist Sean McNabb who soloed skillfully but somewhat tamely towards the end of the song.

While their rendition of Led Zeppelin’s classic number was surprisingly fresh and personal, Great White didn’t have to quote the old masters for the audience to appreciate the historical meaning of their music. Great White are a classic band in their own right, and “Mista Bone” and “Rock Me” proved this better than other songs, epitomizing the spirit of the era which made them stars. And even though on the night the band sounded more ritualistic than inspired, those songs spoke for themselves, proving, among other things, that back in the Eighties Great White were one of the few who could convey the essence of the decade with true insight and, at times, remarkable foresight.

"House of Broken Love" was another highlight of the show, its introspective, forlorn vibe bringing out that distinct elusive quality that has always made Great White stand out among dozens of their contemporaries. Nostalgic intimations of a half-lit world now suit Jack Russell's voice better than ever, and while he is now more world-weary than ever before, his voice remains youthful and flexible, without a hitch conveying all the shades and gradations of the band’s slower, more deliberate numbers.

Apart from the highlights, the greater part of the show was a routine, rather uninspired workout, “Rooster” presenting nothing more than an amalgam of clichéd blues licks and standard-issue singing from Kendall, and “five minutes of fame” given to Michael Lardie when he took over on the lead vocals, dragging to the point of inducing yawns even in the most enthusiastic of fans in the audience. Drummer Audie Desbrow hitting his hi-hat at a 50-degree angle towards the end of the show in an obvious slumping of spirit was another low point, not completely inexplicable, but still disappointing.

Regardless of how they feel on a particular night, one thing remains certain about Great White. The fact that they refuse to update their standards and don’t bow to the passing trends and fashions, widens the gulf that separates them from the generation which now dominates the charts, but at the same time turns them into a dignified, highly respected band. It’s a pity that what they had to offer on the night was not enough for a great rock show, but perhaps this confirms the old truism that only mediocrities can be trusted to be always at their best.

www.mistabone.com

Photos provided by by Alissa Ordabai