Was it really nine years ago that we last saw Purple Zeppelin perform at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, subsequently going on to deservedly win our 2015 WRC Best Tribute award? Suffice to say a bit like Trigger's broom, despite certain parts being replaced since then, we were once again, as expected, swept away last Tuesday night when the quartet played ChislehurstÕs The Beaverwood in Kent.

Indeed, the first time we saw them in 2012 under the banner of "When Giants Finally Come Together", they not only went on to win that year's WRC Best Tribute award, but coincidentally went on to play in April 2013 at our Award Winners Party just down the road at The Carlton Road Centre in Sidcup!

Kicking off as ever with their Purple set, that saw them open with 'Flight Of The Rat' from 'Deep Purple in Rock', plus the much more recognisable 'Hush', vocalist Nigel Owens got the standard "Intense" joke off his chest to a very healthy turnout from the marquee faithful, before the band launched into an almighty version of 'Highway Star', with Owens adding a nice little piece of Rock trivia at the end, that 'HS' was written by the band on a bus, as they made their way to a gig at Portsmouth's Guildhall!

The hatted Mike Harlow not only kept everything in check on his bass guitar, but also Jon Lord on his Apple laptop, as they paid tribute to the late, great keyboardist, by projecting archive footage of the ex-Whitesnake Mark II compadre as a backdrop, as they performed the title track from 'Perfect Strangers'. It was then time, as Nigel put it, for a bit of Rock and Roll with the epic 'Burn' and a piece of 'Machine Head's 'Space Truckin', before Owens split the audience for an amusingly competitive sing-along to yet another classic, 'Black Night'.

Talking of amusing, the banter between Owens and guitarist extraordinaire Mark Dawson, then went to another level as Mark proceeded to put on his "Witchfinder General" hat in tribute to Mr. Blackmore, no less, to play the "Best Riff In Rock". A running joke throughout a wonderful set, Dawson finally got to play Russ Ballard's (ok Rainbow's) 'Since You Been Gone', before seguing nicely into another best riff ditty, you guessed it, 'Smoke On The Water', with images of that Montreaux Casino burning to the ground, being projected in the background. Believe it or not, I actually know someone who saw that iconic fire that night, but forgive me, I digress, given another giant of Rock yet to come.

After accidentally bumping into both Mike and Nigel in the gents following their costume change, an expectant crowd warmly welcomed the Zeppelin bit of Purple Zeppelin back on to the stage, given their blinding first set, opening with two stormers, 'Good Times, Bad Times' and 'Ramble On'. Once again, Owens added some welcome nostalgia enquiring whether anyone had attended Earl's Court in 1975, and also when introducing the awesome, 'The Wanton Song', interestingly pointed out that the 'Physical Graffiti' track ultimately featured more on a Page & Plant set list as opposed to a Zep gig!

Despite Nigel deputising in the early days of Purple Zeppelin, this was the first time we had seen him, and for mine, Nigel seemed much more in the zone with Plant, although that's not saying his Ian Gillan wasn't pretty damn decent too!

Next up was 'The Song Remains The Same', that brought back fond memories of when I first saw Zep (on the big screen), as did 'Trampled Underfoot', one of the holy trinity on that amazing side two of 'Physical Graffiti', that was brilliantly rounded off with a medley of 'How Many More Times' and 'Dazed And Confused', which of course included the mandatory violin bow solo from the excellent Dawson.

Indeed, I recall Mark telling me in his Taste Station Zero days (look them up), that he worked at Macari's guitar shop in Charing Cross Road selling items to Thin Lizzy, Jack Bruce, Hank Marvin etc. - and attended many Led Zeppelin rehearsals at ELP's Manticore studios on the pretext of selling them equipment, but it was really just an excuse to watch them in awe!

Owens saved his best vocal of the night for the majestic 'Kashmir', and even though it all seemed to start a bit Dave Grohl/MTV, 'Stairway To Heaven' was perfection, with not only Dawson's double-headed guitar for good measure, but also Harlow double-heading on bass and recorder.

They closed out, naturally, with 'Whole Lotta Love' that took us all back to those halcyon days of the Top Of The Pops credits, including of course a theremin solo from Dawson. Thankfully, given Nigel's story earlier of how security managed to empty the room before their encore at a previous gig, everyone stuck around for a piece of 'Custard Pie', 'Black Dog', 'Rock And Roll' and 'Moby Dick', of which the latter saw the outstanding Tom "Superman" Mitchell, synch his drum solo with background footage of the one and only John Bonham, actually pausing his solo to pay homage to this much missed legend. Class.

Suffice to say the night could not have ended on a better note. Who's to say that Purple Zeppelin will not win back that award this year? One thing's for certain, we won't leave it as long to see you guys again! Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time! Yes, it has.

AJ (Photos: AJ and Mark C.)