Following the success of his critically acclaimed 2023 album, 'Songs From The Blue Room', as well as the release at the beginning of August of his latest solo album, 'Walking On Water', Luke Morley, best known as the songwriter, lead guitarist and producer of legendary British Rock band Thunder, completed his eight-date UK tour at London's Bloomsbury Theatre on Friday evening, including support from Willie Dowling.

I'm pretty sure that the last time I visited this lovely little theatre located in Camden's Gordon Street, within the sprawling campus of University College London, was back in 2004 to see Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent! Unfortunately, upon arrival, we were greeted with the news that one of the support artists, Bobbie Dazzle, was unwell. Ironically enough, we were also supposed to see Bobbie supporting Jeff Lynne's ELO at BST in Hyde Park in July, but that was cancelled at the last minute. Doh!

The good news however was that Willie Dowling was the other support act, having previously seen Willie supporting WRC award winning Hillbilly Vegas at Raynes Park's Cavern back in February last year. Resembling a cross between Jeff Lynne and Elton John, not only in looks but also in musical ability, the check-suited Dowling played the part with his 70s vibe, along with some great vocals plus his wizardry on his custom keyboard.

Also with a good line in banter, the singer-songwriter and former Wildhearts keyboardist was more than ably backed up by Andy Lewis on bass and Darby Todd on drums. Taken from his recent critically acclaimed album 'The Simpleton', we somehow managed to miss Dowling's two opening numbers, 'I Killed My Imaginary Friend' and 'The Gravy Train', but arrived just in time to hear my favourite, and his latest single from the album, the politically driven, but upbeat Pop of 'Long Drop Down'.

This was followed by Willie's upcoming brand new single, 'Rats In A Maze', a taster of what's to come, as was Dowling's political rant introducing the title track of his latest album, fondly dedicating it to, you've guessed it, flavour of the month, Donald Trump. Having witnessed similar diatribes in the past from Roger Waters and Bob Vylan, and more recently Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens, the jury's out as to whether you really want to be politically lectured at a gig/festival, so why not just let the music do all the talking, such as this outstanding tune with its Supertramp vibe?

After another great vocal from Willie on 'The Simpleton's 'In The Ocean', Dowling promptly took his chewing gum out, before playing 'Fuck You Goodbye', of British Eclecto Pop masters The Dowling Poole fame, minus tonight of course, former Lifesigns/Dr Hook bassist Jon. Plugging his merch stand, particularly his "I Love Willie!" beanie hats, Dowling closed out an effervescent set with 'The Ballad Of Vera Daydream', taking his very receptive audience back to 1990, and memories of Willie's previous incarnation with his then Hair Metal trio, The Grip.

Indeed, Dowling's merch pitch worked, although I hasten to add I purchased 'The Simpleton' CD, not the very popular beanie hat! Not only is 'The Simpleton' also being released tomorrow via Conquest Music as a limited edition vinyl LP, but Willie Dowling & The Invisible Band are also playing three full-length headline shows in late October/early November. Suffice to say "We love Willie!", so make sure you get along to see him - you won't be sorry!

Fond memories of seeing Thunder perform 'Love Walked In' at High Voltage in July 2011, as well 'Wonder Days' when they supported ZZ Top at Wembley Arena in June 2015 (the very same night Jeff Beck celebrated his 70th birthday by guesting on 'Rough Boy'), all came flooding back this evening. Although the last time I saw Luke, he was himself guesting with Bad Company Legacy at Putney's The Half Moon in April last year!

In the meantime, Morley continues to expand his musical horizons while staying true to his exceptional songwriting craft, albeit his new album is maybe a little rockier than the last. Accompanied by the stellar lineup of Chris Childs (bass), Dean Howard (guitar), Sam Tanner (keys) and Rhys Morgan (drums), Luke went back to his previous album, 'The Blue Room', to open with 'I Wanna See the Light', detecting a subtle touch of Springsteen in Morley's impressive vocal.

Amusingly asking the audience to put their hands in the air if they had bought the new album, the quintet then proceeded to play the aforementioned title track and first single, 'Walking On Water', a little bluesier, but a standout song, clearly demonstrating what a fabulous guitarist Luke is. Indeed, the delighted crowds hands were once again in the air, clapping along to the cracking Rock n' Roll of 'Snakeskin Parachute', the up-tempo third single from the new album, before the pace slowed down for 'Errol Flynn', another song from the new album, that Morley very poignantly wrote about his father.

Even though it was Friday, we all love a Saturday night don't we? Cue the more upbeat 'Always A Saturday Night', with its Guns N' Roses influenced intro, before Luke's first Thunder cover of the evening, 'River Of Pain', that expectedly saw everyone clapping along, despite its unusual Flamenco style opening twist. One of the many highlights tonight was seeing the brilliant trilby hatted Dean Howard again, formerly of course of T'Pau, The Herbs and Ian Gillan, and in particular his guitar solo on 'Gun To Your Head', as well as chatting to this Abbey Wood legend afterwards.

The uplifting riff of 'Walking On Water's second outstanding single, 'Natural High', was very reminiscent of The Feeling's 'Love It When You Call', before Morley demanded more "hands in the air" as we all clapped along this time to 'Killed By Cobain', with its Traveling Willburys vibe, all about Thunder never making it big in the USA. They then closed out the set with the brilliant 'Breathe', followed by the delightful and not so raucous, 'Watch The Sun Go Down', featuring the capped Sam on keys, Luke on harmonica plus a few "hey yeah's" thrown in for good measure.

Morley's storytelling behind some of the songs was not only fascinating but it was also very intimate. A case in point was when he introduced their first encore, Thunder's 'Like A Satellite', written one afternoon on an acoustic guitar in a hotel room in Los Angeles. Needless to say, tonight the audience duly sang their hearts out on this classic. It was back to their latest album and 'Bullets', on this penultimate Glam stomper with a Thunder groove, however Morley's final encore came completely from leftfield, with the wonderfully funky "Go With The Flow', the opening track from Luke's 2001 'El Gringo Retro' album, that not only saw each band member perform a solo, including the very cool Childs and the equally impressive Morgan, but also featured the awesome Morley and Howard squaring off in an amazing final guitar solo.

A very memorable evening. Absolutely thunderstruck!

Review: AJ

Photos: Eric Duvet www.ericduvetphotography.com