OT: Jeff Scott Soto - Lux Club, Wigan.

[Ian Myatt]

As you may remember, I attended the last "unplugged" JJS in Wigan and
was most impressed. I was a complete JSS virgin, but after that gig,
and after the purchase of his "Live at the Gods 2002" DVD, I was
converted!

So when the opportunity to see him again arose, this time with a full
"plugged in" set, there was no way I or the newly converted Mrs.M were
going to miss it! So, accompanied by Rick, James (the 2 culprits
responsible in no small way for my JSS introduction) Mrs.M and Mrs.S
(James' charming wife), we went to the Lux Club once more.

It's Halloween, so the atmosphere is a little weird anyway, with bar
staff dressed as Witches, and some of the crowd in various types of
fancy dress. Then the JSS Band make their entrance!

Dressed in suits, shirts and ties, and with full "Kiss" make-up, they
take to the stage. Superb and hilarious.
Particularly convincing, was Gary Schutt, whose make-up was superbly
done, and he also acquired the character of Gene Simmons, with evil
stares and the old "tongue out" trick, and he kept this up for most of
the set!

What followed was a superb set by a very talented and entertaining
band. A mixture of material from Jeff's career, covers, with a little
acoustic set in the middle of it all. Mrs.M danced all night, and I
actually managed to switch off "musician mode"[1], and just let myself
enjoy the music and humor that surrounded me in that little club. The
crowd, while not huge (it's only a small club) in numbers, were
totally into what was happening, and gave the impression that their
numbers were double!

Memorable Moments.

Jeff spotting "titties on TV". Tarrant on TV was on the TV set behind
the bar, showing footage of some topless female activity, which he
found distracting, and incorporated into the lyrics of his song!

Jeff's Audience Walkabout. - The miracle of the wireless microphone.

Howie Simon's (Howieeeee) blistering but seemingly effortless (read
sickening) guitar playing.

Jeff singing a good portion of the set whilst wearing a "pumpkin" hat.

The set finished with a funky/disco type medley, which included, Play
that Funky Music, Staying Alive (yes, Bee-Gees) and Karl Douglas'
Kung-Foo fighting. By this time there was a que of people outside,
waiting to come in for the disco that followed the gig, and Jeff and
Gary actually went out into the foyer to look at/tease the cold,
queing people!!

It was a great night, and I got the impression that everyone there was
having nothing less than a great time.

Highly recommended.

IanM

[1] Although I do play guitar a bit, I don't regard myself as a
musician, but nearly always listen to music as if I were one in a
"ooo, what did he play there? How did he do that? What gear is he
using?" type way.