Brian BoyleI’m on a 10.45am Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Manchester, to witness the modern classic rock union of Adrian Smith and Ritchie Kotzen, ingeniously called Smith/Kotzen.
Serendipitous encounter.
When this collaboration was announced, many thought the pairing an odd one, but a chance meeting between Kotzen and Smith’s wife Natalie, has since brought about two hugely impressive studio albums, 2021’s self-titled, and last years much superior Black Light/White Noise. Nestled in between are the EP Better Days, and the ripper of a live album, Better Days…And Nights.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Adrian Smith numerous times with Iron Maiden, all metalled up and not a hint of a blues guitar solo anywhere. The man to his left, the multi talented Ritchie Kotzen, I’ve witnessed in his more familiar role as a solo artist, and also as a member of American Glam-sters Poison back in 1993 in Dublin. That night, the Pennsylvania native had a face like a smacked arse , but what he produced music wise, in the now demolished Tivoli Theatre, more than made up for the sour puss.
Tonight’s venue, The Ritz, is an impressively ornate looking space, and dates back to the 1920’s where for many years after operated as a dance hall. But tonight, there was no Charleston’s or Foxtrot’s, it’s just two kindred spirits, and their vastly different techniques creating wonderful synergy.
Unchained in the Black Light.
Bad Company’s self-titled classic blasting out of the PA got the mood in the room just right. Then a spoken word intro tape reassuring us that everything you’ll hear tonight is free of dodgy enhancements raises the mood further. Adrian Smith ripping into the riff to “Life Unchained” was a powerful start, and that surge of energy rarely let up. Hot on its heels, the superb “Black Light”, without doubt one of the duo’s flagship tunes now, also rightly hit the spot, with the collaboration on the chorus an absolute joy.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing, the sound early doors was far from crystal clear. So much so, tracks like “Wraith”, “Glory Road” and “Hate And Love” didn’t really get what they deserved. But by the time the feel good vibes of “Blindsided”, and the very much loved “Taking My Chances” played out, everything seemed to have sorted itself.
Come to the Darkside.
In the live domain, the chemistry between the pair is remarkable. Kotzen is probably the more understated of the two, but of course his platter of eye watering solo’s tonight would say otherwise. As far as Smith goes, he just seemed determined to enjoy every second of this. Not that he’s bound and shackled in Maiden, but his enthusiasm seems on a different level, partly due to the fact he doesn’t risk running headfirst into a jet fuelled Steve Harris or Janick Gers. But this brand of catchy classic rock is something he revels in. He grew up obsessing with bands like Bad Company, Free and Humble Pie, so his obvious zest for the retro treated Outlaw and Darkside adds up.
By this stage, they’re absolutely smokin, “Got A Hold Of Me” joyrides around the place without a hint of any brakes, and the guitar interaction between the duo was worth crossing the water just for that moment alone. And on a vocal level, they just soared on the glossy blues gem “Scars“, a moment in the night where guitars took the backseat.
But they don’t take all the glory, not on your nelly. Bassist, and Kotzen’s good lady Julia Lage plus drummer Bruno Valverde laid all the foundations for the two headliners with zero fuss.
For a man like Kotzen, who throughout his career in bands like Poison, Mr Big and The Winery Dogs, has always been the sole guitarist , his sharing of the duties with the vastly different style of Smith, was a revelation all night. Not for a moment was there a hint of the pair trying to outplay each other, every lick was for the performance.
Running for home.
Main set closers “Running” and “Solar Fire”, positively lit up The Ritz. And it’s no exaggeration to say you could’ve been watching a duo who’ve been doing this thirty plus years, such was the natural flow.
Then off they went to rest their well worked fingers for a couple of minutes. What we got on their return was a bit special. The few hardcore Kotzen fans totally got on board with his solo composition “You Can’t Save Me,” and those not so familiar appeared satisfied too.
Swapping his trademark bandana for a Steve Ray Vaughan-esque hat, Smith looked more a well travelled blues man, as opposed to a heavy metal god. But when he cracked open the riff to his Iron Maiden masterpiece “Wasted Years“, nobody gave a damn what he was wearing. As expected the place was teaming with Maiden t-shirts, and some possibly only came for this moment. But either way, the atmosphere was elevated to a different level. Kotzen appeared happy to be the sideshow, and let his partner happily do all the heavy lifting.
A thrilling end to a memorable night of honest musicianship. One the outside, Adrian Smith and Ritchie Kotzen may appear like chalk and cheese, but tonight they proved to be two harmonious peas in a pod.
