The sight of a crowded Point Depot singing “Happy Birthday to Philip in heaven” under the instruction of an emotional Philomena Lynott is certainly one to behold. Unfortunately, on an evening pitched as a celebration of the life and work of Philip, much was promised but little was delivered.
Accomplished performances by Darren Wharton’s Dare and Wheatus notwithstanding, two hours of lacklustre entertainment by a slew of unknown acts, did not bode well.
Largely, when Gary Moore and Brian Downey eventually made an appearance at 10.20 with ex-Jethro Tull man Jonanthan Noyce, slotting in on bass, they received a rapturous welcome. Which Lizzy classic would they open with, one wondered? When the venue filled with the opening strains of ‘Walking By Myself’, a solo Moore composition, the feeling of deflation was palpable.
But it was not the only anomaly of a disappointing evening. For the entire duration of the headline slot, no more than two guitarists appeared on stage at the same time – and Gary Moore never left it. We never get to see the Robertson-Gorham twin axis that was so integral to Lizzy at their peak in action. Now in my book, having the two classic Lizzy guitarists at the same
gig on the same night and not have them perform together is a borderline criminal offence.
Could Gary have not even stood back and let them do their classic sparring on ‘Emerald’, or at least let each take their own solos on ‘Still In Love With You’? If he’d been observing from on high, Philo would have had a mighty laugh at the absurdity of it all.
That said, the night was not without its memorable moments. Robbo’s solo on ‘Still In Love With You’ was as haunting as ever. Gary and Scott did a blistering ‘Cowboy Song/Boys Are Back In Town’ a la Live And Dangerous. Eric Bell shared vocal duties on a note-perfect ‘Whisky In The Jar’. But after only an hour that, it seemed, was it.
The stage was empty. An all-star jam of ‘The Rocker’ could have redeemed the evening somewhat at this point but only Moore returned. The final song was a self-indulgent extended version of ‘Parisienne Walkways’ – with a few bars of “Happy Birthday” thrown in for good measure.
Lizzy devotees of all ages had turned in up in their thousands to pay tribute to the man Bill Graham poignantly called “Our Elvis” – but the true value of Phil’s legacy was missed on this occasion. A shame.