A Review of Ian McNabb's Show at Robin 2

Bilston, Saturday February 27th, 1999

After five months on the road as a solo semi-plugged troubadour, the former Icicle Works frontman chose the atmospheric rock club surrounds of Robin 2 to close another chapter in his eclectic career.

And if his memorable Christmas gig at Ronnie Scott's was, in his own words, 'bonkers' then this was ballistic as he ripped up the set list and let rip with some rousing rock'n'roll for the faithful.

After a solo acoustic first set which included stripped down versions of 'Head Like A Rock', 'Little Girl Lost', 'Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream), and 'Hollywood Tears', he cranked up the amps for the home straight.

Joined by bassist Roy Corkhill and keyboardsman Mokka, the Scouse star opened with an intense 'Child Inside A Father' before serving up the likes of 'Still Got The Fever', 'Evangeline', 'Understanding Jane' and 'Little Princess'.

Along the way there were musical nods to The Beatles ('Money'), Led Zeppelin ('Heartbreaker') and The Waterboys ('This Is The Sea') hidden amidst past Icicle Works and solo glories.

As the gig hit the two-hour mark, McNabb was playing for the hell of it, offering The Who's 'Substitute' and 'Magic Bus', Led Zeppelin hallmark 'Whole Lotta Love' and more, taking requests from the fans.

Bo Diddley's 'Who Do You Love?' rubbed shoulders with Strangeloves cult classic 'I Want Candy' and Dr John's 'Walk On Gilded Splinters' as an ecstatic audience bawled out the lyrics.

It ended with the double whammy of the singalong 'Stone My Soul' and a frenetic, distortion-drenched cover of Neil Young's 'Rockin' In The Free World'.

"I'll be back with a heavy rock band," McNabb pledged. If the second set at the Robin was any indication, it's going to be worth waiting for.

PAUL COLE
Birmingham Evening Mail

Received 28 February 1999. Posted 27 March.
This review Copyright © 1999, Paul Cole. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. The right of Paul Cole to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.