Tim Robbins and The Rogues Gallery - Oran Mor 2nd October 2010

Photo: tim robbins by p.a. keightley. I was looking forward to hearing Mr Robbins live. Just a few months back I'd read Tim's thoughts on Dylan and learned that his favourite song of all time was Join's 'A Case of You.' I thought, here's a guy with good taste in music - plus he acted the lead role in one of the best movies ever made.

Tim Robbins and his 6-piece band, the Rogues Gallery, played a highly entertaining set that went down well in a packed Oran Mor. At 6ft 7, he's the tallest person to receive an Oscar!. For a Hollywood A-lister, Tim Robbins had a relaxed and warm air about him and he joked about his head practically touching the ceiling above the stage in OranMor.

Accompanying himhe had a 6-piece top quality band, which included a mandolin, clarinet, accordion, double bass, many guitar changes! and drums. It featured such talents as Roger Eno, David Coulter and Kate St John.

While Robbin's voice may not be the strongest and he is not a seasoned performer, he has a lot going for him. His songs tell of an emotional journey and few artists do this well. He sang songs of Americana roots blues from his new album as well as songs by folk legends - Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues', Tom Waits' 'All The World is Green', and Billie Holliday's 'What A Little Moonlight Can Do' - as well as some more upbeat rocky numbers.

His liberal political views run through his music with moving songs such as 'Crush On You'; a song about meeting Mandela entitled ' Lighting Calls' and a 'Time To Kill' a song about talking with an Iraq war veteran. He had the crowd singing along for 'Mary Don't You Weep.'

While he has been songwriting and playing guitar all his life and came from a home where music was a big factor. There was no television in his home, only books and music and his father played in a folk band called 'The Highwaymen' . However, it wasn't until September that Tim, aged 51, released his first ever album - as he felt the time was right to do so,

Music has been a life-long passion from the Americana roots of Guthrie through the folk rock of Dylan, to the rock of the 80s punk bands. Quote - "I?ve always been drawn to singers that allow themselves to feel, that go courageously to deeper emotions.?

Tim Robbins is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, activist and musician. He is known for his roles as Nuke in Bull Durham, Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. When I think of Tim Robbins - I always think of that scene in 'Shawshank Redemption' movie when Tim's character took over the prison office and played some Chopin music over the loudspeakers - "If you can live through music, art or literature they are avenues of freedom. The music was like a beautiful bird and everyone felt free."

What a cool legend the guy is, I loved his gig Oran mor. It was truly a pleasure sir, and much respect to you.

PKIMAGE photography, Glasgow - photographic artist of mainly music, portraits and events. Please visit my website to see my photo work and to get in touch with any questions.
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