BLUE CHEER
Black Cat
Washington DC
April 18, 2007
Invariably, any description of a Blue Cheer live concert emphasizes the word "LOUD". That was certainly true at their gig here in DC. I don't remember the top of my skull vibrating quite like it did upon Paul Whaley's opening drum pounding.But BC are so much more than just sheer volume. With the rhythm duo of Dickie Peterson and Paul W together for 40 years along with "new" guitarist Andrew MacDonald for 20+ years, they are an extremely tight, physical and well drilled power machine.
They don't so much as play the songs as attack them and the audience with a vigor that belies their age. Aspiring youngsters take note. Old school does indeed rock.
The boys basically stuck with the first two albums which was fine by the small but appreciative audience. The high energy level was sustained throughout with highlights like "Parchment Farm", "The Hunter" and "Out of Focus". When Dickie started talking about being turned onto Eddie Cochran as a wee lad, you knew they were gonna launch their "big" hit "Summertime Blues". Yeah, it still sounded awesome after all the years.
The set was closed out with a long, jammed out "Doctor Please" that featured some wild and wicked guitar from Andrew. He mobilized the fuzz and wah wah early and often all night long.
It all ended up with the encore "Roadhouse Blues" that shamed the Doors version. This is how it was meant to be played - hard.
All hail the last of the original power trios: Blue Cheer! - Michael Downey
