There is something so satisfying about listening to a band of consummate musicians effortlessly glide through a set of blues classics. Watching last night's gig the smile never left my face. The band made it look so, so easy. Joining Deep Purple's Jon Lord on stage were the Hoochie Coochie Men featuring Tim Gaze on guitar, Jim Conway on harmonica, Rob Grossner on drums and Bob Daisley, probably best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne on bass. And wasn't it a treat to see Bob play in a rare live appearance in his native Australia. Classics such as Green Onions (which the personable Jon confessed was in the set of his first ever live gig way back when) and Baby Please Don't Go allowed the band to stretch their musical muscle. Tonight wasn't about Deep Purple - it was about a group of veteran musicians getting together and having fun. And their enjoyment was infectious. Besides a version of the much overlooked Deep Purple ballad "When a Blind Man Cries" featuring rock icon Jimmy Barnes on vocals, the closest tonight came to Deep Purple was a few snatches of "Lazy" during one of Jon's intros. Barnsey all contributed to "Hoochie Coochie Man" a song surely written with a character such as him in mind. The band also showed their musical roots with a slow blues version of Cream's "Strange Brew" from the Hoochie Coochie Men's latest CD and a version of Willie Dixon's "I Need Love" as Willie himself recorded it rather than the plagiarised Led Zeppelin version "Whole Lotta Love". Johnny Winter's "Dallas" and Jimmie Smith's "Back at the Chicken Shack" continued the down home blues theme. Sitting well in the set was the Hoochie Coochie Men original "24/7 Blues".

The night was originally meant to showcase the solo side on Jon Lord's work. After treating Sydney to his Concerto at the Opera House as part of the festival of Sydney Jon was planning to further delight us with pieces from his other classically tainted solo efforts such as "Pictured Within" and "The Gemini Suite". A recurrence of a hand injury meant the last minute change of plansand the blues show. I'm sure there were no disappointed fans tonight however. Jon Lord's virtuosity seems shines in any music style he puts his hand to. Let's hope he visits our shores again soon. A classy gent with his musicianship is always welcome.

Michael Keating