During two weeks only, at the same place and about the same time, two guitarists of the same band – Mr. Big played their show. When Paul Gilbert left the band, Richie Kotzen took his place. Last year, Mr. Big had a reunion and next year in January their new studio album „What If…“ is due to be released with Paul Gilbert as part of the band again. Band was touring with Joe Satriani and John Petrucci as one of three giants that are part of legendary G3. He is
promoting his new album „Fuzz Universe“ at the moment. Paul Gilbert’s special request was that support act must be acoustic. The best (as he said himself) and only choice was Branko Bogunović – Pif. When he stood on stge he said that people usually thing how acoustic guitar is very silent and he will make us think differently. Said and done! Between songs, instrumentals, because he wasn’t singing he took the photo camera out and took a photograph oh his audience so he would have a poof that somebody comes to his shows as well. Along with great play, he also showed he has a sense of humor. Songs like Led Zeppelin’s „Stairway to Heaven“ and „Kashmir“, Police’s „Every Little Thing She Does is Magic“ were played. Audience that gathered was mainly male. Althought it was football evening. Not so many females were there, and i wasn’t surprised. Few minutes before 10pm Paul Gilbert arrices to stage with guitarist and back vocal Tony Spinner, bassist Craig Martini and drummer Jeff Bowders.

They started heavily, no words said and what made me think: „Are they onother band that can’t even say good evening?“. Gilbert said thank you, that next thing was from „Fuzz Universe“, with the same name. At the moments he seemed like an alien to me, sometimes like the beast, and then like a little child. He showed he has great sense of humor. He played shoulder to shoulder to Tony Spinner, making jokes. He announced great ballad, touched his heard, prepared us to cry and then kicked off with beautiful ballad, from „Techincal Difficulties“. Here and there Tony Spinner vocally got in, and bassist looked more to me as black metal band member rather than Gilbert’s because of his moves and gestures. Further they played „Scarified“, „Screen Door Stop Neptune“, „Green-Tinted Sixties Mind“, „Roundabout“, „Norwegian Cowbell“. Last song was “Light My Fire” from The Doors. How about the part he played with his teeth? What a talent! And how easy he has done that! Then probably nicest moment followed because he said: “When I’m looking to my setlist, it says encore”. And then they left the stage, we would clap, and they would come back for two minutes. But he didn’t want to go away, so they continued to play along. He had a right. Why to scene something all over again? He wanted to play, we wanted to listen. He played his favourite “I Want to be Loved” from Muddy Waters. “Down to Mexico” he performed with the help of audience that clapped without stop. And in about two hours of play Paul Gilbert proved that he really is one of legendary guitarists. Together with the rest of his band he took a bent and left the stage. To me this was the last concert of this year, but not least important. It couldn’t end in better way. Concert season was really rich, even if I don’t count what I’ve seen abroad. If next year would be just like this one I would be extremely happy.

Report and photo: Gordana Beraković (gordana@venia-mag.net)