As a welcome tonic (accompanied by measures of gin for some) to take one’s mind off the state of affairs today, the audience at the Questors Theatre in Ealing were transported back to the late eighties on the evening of Jan 8th.

The venue played host to The Trembling Wilburys, a tribute band for the super group of The Travelling Wilburys. For two highly successful albums, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty came together and had a blast, entertaining music lovers in the process. Dylan even smiled in the videos, once or twice.

The Trembling Wilburys clearly enjoyed themselves, inhabiting the sense of fun and camaraderie of the original group. There was booze amongst the audience and banter on stage. But more so there were the songs, performed with professionalism and devotion. Highlights included Handle With Care, Tweeter and the Monkey Man – and a barnstorming My Back Pages encore. I couldn’t have been the only person in the audience to note the dazzling playing of the lead guitarist, Dzal Martin, either.

You may have to be a certain age to appreciate the wry humour and old-fashioned spirit of rock and roll of the band’s output, but I hope not. Should a new generation listen to the songs, they may well act as a gateway drug for people to listen to the rest of the catalogues by the respective band members. No one still can quite sing like Roy Orbison, or has a songbook like Bob Dylan. The past still has something to teach the future.

It was a special night I warrant for the regulars at the theatre, who were up dancing by the end. For any of you interested in catching the band at a future event, or even booking them for a gig, please visit
https://tremblingwilburys.co.uk/about-the-band/

Let’s hope it’s a never ending tour.