Bev Smith Memorial Concert: Aura, Billy Bowel & The Movements
Kidderminster King & Castle
28th September, 2007

View: outside, on the station platform!

To honour late Chicken Shack and Honey Drippers drummer Keith ‘Bev’ Smith, a number of his old friends and bandmates gathered at Kidderminster’s King & Castle, tacked onto the Severn Valley Railway terminus, for an emotionally-charged night of rock’n’roll. The place was packed and the joint was jumping. Aura feature 16 year-old drummer Jesse Garcia (aka Plant) and dad was present, as were Billy Bowel & The Movements, with Chicken Shack’s Andy Silvester and Gary Davis. Aura’s singer Dave Small, who impressed as drummer with Shark Attack, is a star, no mistake. Their youthful charm reminded me of Free. Then, the bearded Plant strapped on an electric guitar to join the lads for a leisurely Stormy Monday Blues, totally obscured by a forest of arms, pointing their mobile phones in his direction. It was a fine tribute to Bev Smith, with a whole lotta love on show.

Reviewed by David Yeats
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