TONY ASHTON AND FRIENDS
'ENDANGERED SPECIES LIVE AT ABBEY ROAD'
dvd details

The DVD of the Tony Ashton Testimonial show held at Abbey Road in June 2000, in the presence of the man himself. Guests of especial interest to Deep Purple fans include Jon Lord and Ian Paice, with Pete York, Eddie Hardin, Neil Murray, Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody also being names familiar through their connections with the band. Other guests from the rock field include Who bassist John Entwistle and drummer Zak Starkey, as well as Wishbone Ash guitarist Laurie Wisefield. Names such as Zoot Money, Chris Barber, Howie Casey and Geoff Whitehorn will also be familiar.

The idea for this special and unique evening came from Jon Lord and Pete York, and it was held at Abbey Road Studio One in London to show support for their friend Tony Ashton, a rock musician whose credits include The Remo Four, Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, Family, Paice Ashton Lord and many more. The DVD edition of this concert (highlights are already out on CD - see T2 catalogue) features a further selection from the show, with an introductory number from Johnnie Johnson, and the complete sets from Pete York, John Entwistle, Tony Ashton, Company of Snakes and PAL.

The performance was filmed on two hand held digital cameras and overseen by film director Mike Figgis, a mate of Tony's. In the edit, they've converted one camera's images to black and white, left the other in colour, and weave their way between the two, giving a cinema verité feel to the event. Ashton's own short three track set is one of the real highlights, and you can really appreciate the fluid way he approached the keyboards, looning all the while to camera, audience and band.

The show ends with the lengthy PAL jam, and with Jon and Tony facing each other across the stage ("I'd like to hear Jon doing a solo." "I can't, the musicians union won't allow it!"), they really go for it. Tightened up, and with some of the long between set gaps edited out, plus a few archive clips of Tony in action, it's a great tribute and all done with great good humour.

Track list / musicians.

JOHNNIE JOHNSON BAND : Dave Williams, Johnnie Johnson

[1] Be-Bop Beauty 3.30

PETE'S YORK'S ENDANGERED SPECIES : Eddie Hardin / piano; Geoff Whitehorn / guitar; Jaz Lockrie? / bass; Chris Barber / brass; Pete York / drums. Zoot Money / vocals and piano on 3 and 4.

[2] Let's Have A Party 3.00 [3] It's All Over Now 5.00 [4] Never Make Your Move Too Soon 7.15 [5] It Never Rains But It Pours 3.40

JOHN ENTWISTLE BAND : John Entwistle / bass, Zak Starkey / drums, Rabbit Bundrick / piano, Gary Nuttall / guitar, vocals.

[6] Shake, Rattle & Roll [7] That's Alright Mamma [8] Roadrunner [9] My Generation [10] Mess Of Blues [11] High Heel Sneakers

[12] Pete York's introduction, Ewan McGregor's introduction:

TONY ASHTON BAND : Tony Ashton / keyboards - vocals, Pete York / drums, Laurie Wisefield / guitar, Len Skeet / bass (or Nigel Portman Smith / bass), Chris Barber / trombone.

[13] One Room Country Shack 8.40 [14] Mercy Mercy 4.50 [15] No Money Down 6.40.

[16] Pete York introduction, Bernie Marsden introduction:

The COMPANY OF SNAKES : Ian Paice / drums, Jon Lord / organ, Bernie Marsden / guitar, vocals, Micky Moody / guitar, Neil Murray / bass, Robert Hart / vocals.

[17] Ain't Gonna Cry No More 2.04 [18] Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues 5.40 [19] Ready An Willing (Sweet Satisfaction) 5.17 [20] Fool For Your Loving 5.20 [21] Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City) 7.30 22] Here I Go Again 5.45.

PAICE, ASHTON, LORD : Tony Ashton, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray, Howie Casey / brass, Geoff Whitehorn / brass, Margo Buchanan ? , Jeanette Casey, Sheila Casey / backing vocals (aka The McClintock Sisters).

[23] Ghost Story [24] Sneaky Private Lee 11.04 [25] Resurrection Shuffle 9.00 [26] Why Don't You Stay? 8.00.