Incredible, only a mile away from my home, Dutch guitar legend
Jan Akkerman performed with
My Brainbox.
He was invited at the small local annual festival, named 'Het Geluid Van Loosduinen' (last year it featured
Livin'
Blues, another Dutch legend).
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Jan Akkerman |
From the late seventies I have seen many guitar heroes, like
Steve Howe,
Steve Hackett,
David Gilmour,
Mark Knopfler,
Carlos Santana,
Eric Clapton (with
Roger Waters),
Ritchie Blackmore,
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
BB King,
Paco De Lucia,
John MacLaughlin,
Al DiMeola and recently
Brian Setzer. But it has always been a dream to
witness our own Dutch guitar hero Jan Akkerman. Keep in mind that in 1973 he topped the Melody Maker Best Guitarist
poll, above Eric Clapton and
Jeff Beck!
And now I was in the front row, looking at a very relaxed and inspired Jan Akkerman. During the one hour set he
blew away the crowd, playing a variety of styles and delivering lots of exciting solos. My highlight was a very
extended, psychedelic sounding guitar solo, with mindblowing use of the wah-wah pedal, Jan Akkerman at his best!
Singer
Bert Heerink (ex
Vandenberg and ex
Kayak) did a very good job, also relaxed and inspired.
He talked with the audience, made jokes and showed he still has a strong voice. The other members turned out to
be a perfect support on their instruments as a fluent and tight unit. Halfway the concert keyboard player
Coen
Molenaar showcased great flute-traverse samples, evoking
Thijs van Leer .. say no more, haha.