Its Chas & Dave's distinct knack of being able to pull songs out of the air and make them their own that makes them such great entertainers. After all, as Chas Hodges said at the Rockney duos gig at Newport Riverfront on Friday evening "In the old days when we played the London pubs its how we paid the rent. We didnt always know what we were doing but it usually turned out alright."
On evidence of Friday nights show they are still doing more than alright, mixing in roots of early rock n roll with a still vibrant passion of music hall with Chas on keyboard, Dave on guitar and Chas' son, Nick ("giving it some stick") on drums.
The two hour show was a fun and sometimesan impromptu performance, with either Chas or Dave ready to turn the set-list on its head in favour of the pace of the show. Numbers such as Midnight Special and Chas' brilliant boogie woogie recreation of Rocking Glowworm from the duos latest album That's What Happens easily slotted in with classics such as Got My Beer in The Sideboard Here and Edmonton Green.
There were some live treats too, a rendition of Chuck Berry's Don't take but a few minutes in the style of how Buddy Holly might have played it, and one of Buddy's own songs Fool's Paradise which saw Chas & Dave create an instant stage hit as Nick's drumming was put to the test by performing a new number live on stage (and he passed with flying colours).
Of course no Chas & Dave show is complete without performances of their greatest hits including Gertcha!, Rabbit and Ain't No Pleasing You and their latest single When Two Worlds Collide. All in all, a real feel good end to the week which saw several members of the audience out of their seats and indulging in a good old knees up.
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