Snowy White is coming to town [notes] (yesss :-) )

Now this is awesome news, at least in terms of musical adventures on the horizon.

I live in a country significantly different to the south and western neighbours. If you want to see a performer who is regarded in well accustomed listeners circles, but does only club appearances - you must go to Czech Republic, Slovakia or Germany. No easy way. This year even Heaven And Hell is not doing a gig in Poland this summer, despite having a new release in the pipe. Reasons? Probably the one and only Tommy Djubinsky was too depressed that in 2007 two gigs in big halls of Warsaw and Katowice sold in range of only 50% - 66%. And it's not that Black Sabbath is disregarded here. The Dio line-up is one of the most acclaimed classic bands around. It's just the price of the tickets that was keeping many from attendance, because - who would ever tell??? - the organiser has to earn, you know. Screw the promotion, downdrain the chance to make people go to the concert. No pockets filled, no sleeping on the money - no invitation. How charming.

This is not the back of the post, however. Still if you dig a bit around - you'll find that highly acclaimed performers do drop in to Polish clubs with a bit of luck and good will. Budgie and Nazareth are doing lengthy raids this spring and summer. And one more damn fine visitor.

Snowy White.

The name that, when clicked in mind is linked with the Pink Floyd and Thin Lizzy camps. The earliest effort was to participate in "Animals" recording sessions in late 1976, providing a part in unleleased take of "Pigs On The Wing, pt. 3". Later on Snowy was invited to help the band in the live promotion of the record, being a member of the tour line-up of the band. The cooperation resulted in being invited to record the guitar parts on Richard Wright's solo debut LP "Wet Dream" in early 1978. Some of the parts are truly extraordinary, especially in "Cat Cruise", "Drop From The Top" and "Funky Deux". The link with the Pink Floyd camp continued as the band promoted "The Wall" album over the several concerts 1980 in 1981. Meanwhile Phill Lynott called for assistance having a vacat in his guitar duet while Gary Moore left him again and the stepping in of Midge Ure did not last.

Snowy accepted the offer and got to record "Chinatown" with Thin Lizzy. He got sort of mixed reception from the fans (since being a calmer player than the sorts of guitar extraordinaries like Moore or Robertson), but his effort of going along with Scott Gorham was significant. In 1981 the unsuccesful "Renegade" followed and although the album failed to impress, the band was still a considerable live force. One of their finest moments was the new reendition of a classic hit "Don't Believe a Word". Lynott has used the slow, melancholic alternate version of the classic, where Snowy had a minute to show his amazing bluesman abilities, right after the song was scoring a turn to the classic, driving arrangement with White firing on all cylinders. The band got barely better musically ever after.

Snowy went parted ways with Lizzy in mid-1982 and started a succesful solo career with a hit 'Bird Of Paradise'. I don't like the song much, since it reminds me of Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" (soul intention would be to ask Snowy if Mark Knopfler has plagiarised his composition, basing on Snowy's single). Some parts of the mentioned songs and chord progressions are shamelessly similar.

Over the 80's the colaborations of White with David Gilmour and Roger Waters continued. When Waters became active touring from 1999 on - White was an important member of his touring band, sharing the guitar duties with Dave Kilminster (also known for his collaborations with Ken Hensley in 90's). Meanwhile the market saw Snowy White releasing new material under his own logos of 'Snowy White and The White Flames' and 'The Snowy White Blues Agency'. Famous names of Max Middleton (former Jeff Beck cooperator) and Peter Green can be mentioned among his guests and bandmates from the time.

Consistently active in recording and performing, impressive both in studio and on stage Snowy starts promoting the new album of his new 'Snowy White Blues Project' outfit which is due for release on April 20th. Polish concert of the guitarist is planned on May 10th in "Blue Note" club, Poznan. I hope to be there to meet the legend.