The Ritz, Manchester, 1st October 2011

We have seen Todd many times since the early times with Utopia way back in '75 & '77 at Liverpool Empire, the London Venue shows in '78, up to the more recent Arena and Todd&Joe shows so when the Manchester date was announced for 'An Evening with...' we got our tickets and only then did we realise that it was on our 28th wedding anniversary. And what an anniversary present did we get! Todd was in brilliant form on a hot sweaty night and not a sign of the reported illness. If you are going to the Jazz Cafe or Ronnie Scott's this week then you are in for a real treat. This was Todd the singer/songwriter playing stuff we've not heard live for some time (if at all?). Personal highlights (remembering the occasion) were 'Lucky Guy', 'Love is the Answer' & 'Couldnt I Just Tell You', but it was relentless from start to finish, they just kept coming I couldnt keep the smile from my face all night. Todd's voice was clear and soulful and he rocked out on a few numbers. But it was primarily the band, Todd and that voice. Seated for a time, then walking the stage addressing various parts of the audience and generally enjoying himself, only strappping on the guitar for a handful of tunes. This would make a brilliant "Back to the Bars II".