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The Last Man
Standing On August 15, 2007 Scotty gave what he considers to be his farewell performances in 2 shows aptly titled, "The Last Man Standing" at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. Soundcheck
For the performances Scotty's UK touring band, commonly referred to as the Grundy-Pritchard band were brought over to perform and also the members of Scotty's latest collaboration and project, "The Mighty Handful" were billed.
With most only arriving in Memphis on the 14th the day before, their schedule was tight. Around 10:00 AM everyone started gathering to unload and set up for a scheduled sound check at 11:00. Each band would perform a 45 minute set roughly for each show, one at 2:00 followed by one at 5:00.
The Mighty Handful set up and did their sound check first followed by the Grundy Pritchard band. Scotty, as always, has been concerned with the proper mix of the band and the sound levels that the audience would hear and supervised almost every facet. He's done this from the very beginning and wasn't about to change now.
The Grundy Pritchard band consists of Liam Grundy on keyboards and vocals, Pete Pritchard on bass, Paul Ansell on vocals and rhythm guitar, Dave Briggs on lead guitar and Jimmy Russell on drums. Scotty toured Europe on several occasions over the last few years with this very lineup. He performed what he considered his swan song in Europe with them exactly 2 years ago to the day at the London Jazz Cafe on August 15, 2005.
The Mighty Handful was comprised of Billy Swan on vocals, Bob Moore on bass, Bucky Barrett on guitar, Steve Shepherd on keyboards, Buddy Spicher on fiddle and Fred Satterfield on drums. Performing in place of Boots Randolph was Denis Solee who is a longtime Nashville sessionist and performer and a very good friend of Boots.
Showtime
Red Robinson emceed both of these shows that were presented by Darwin Lamm of Elvis International The Magazine. It was planned that after Red's introduction the audience at each show would see a short slide presentation on screen highlighting Scotty's career and the Darwin would bring Scotty out to address the crowd briefly. After answering a few questions and sharing a few laughs Scotty asked the crowd if they were ready to hear some good music and the Grundy-Pritchard band came out and did their set.
In between sets Gail came out and tearfully spoke to crowd her regrets at the recent loss of the Handful's friend and band mate Boots Randolph. She told of his great anticipation and intent to perform their today and how a performance with him 3 years ago in Memphis inspired the collaboration of the Mighty Handful. Then as tribute to Boots she introduced a video of him performing his classic "Yakety Sax" on the screens while the bands changed on stage .
As the Mighty Handful performed, as a further tribute to Boots, they ran a short slideshow and video featuring Boots during the performance of "Reconsider Baby". This was the song performed by several of that lineup 3 years ago during the Legends show that inspired the collaboration. Scotty's arthritis no longer allows him to perform a full set but he came out and played the last two songs at each show.
Members from both bands joined together onstage for the last number of each show and did a roaring rendition of "Shake, Rattle and Roll". Scotty's performing career started in Memphis over 50 years ago and it was only fitting that he finish it there.
Check out a review in the blog by Susan Graham who
attended the 2:00 show
http://seattlesusieq.blogspot.com/ |
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Special offer!!! There was a special sale of the first 1000 copies at the shows in Memphis during Elvis week that contained an insert pre autographed by all except for Boots Randolph. For a limited time only, while supplies last, we are offering the remaining unsold numbered autographed copies for ordering here for the same price as sold at the show at $20 each. And for just $4.00 shipping per CD we will ship it anywhere, in or out of the country. Click to sample tracks or to order
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| All photos on this site (that we didn't borrow) unless otherwise indicated are the property of either Scotty Moore or James V. Roy and unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. |
