Slim Chance - The Ronnie Lane Songbook + guests The Ladles
Whether it was working with the Small Faces, The Faces and Rod Stewart, or touring with his own travelling rock 'n' roll circus, The Passing Show, Ronnie Lane was a one-of-a-kind musician and songwriter. He embarked on the last stage of his career shortly after leaving the Faces, forming the band Slim Chance, writing some of his finest songs and recording several remarkable albums.
As time goes by, Ronnie Lane’s legacy as a musician and writer has become more widely recognized. In 2019 Universal Records released the box set , ‘Just for a Moment’, devoted to his post-Faces music, and in 2023 Omnibus Press published a comprehensive biography, entitled ‘Anymore for Anymore’ (named after the first Slim Chance album). Testimony to the value of Ronnie’s life and work is the fact that his band are still touring the country, delighting fans and enjoying playing together in the spirit that Ronnie championed.
2024 is the fiftieth anniversary of the Passing Show and the band has been celebrating in style. Time moves on: now two original members - Steve Bingham (bass) and Charlie Hart (accordion and fiddle), aided and abetted by Geraint Watkins (keys), Frank Mead (saxes, harp and whistle), and Brendan O’Neill or Jim Russell (drums), showcase Ronnie’s classic songs and a few originals with humour and energy.
Between them they have worked with Paul McCartney, Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, BBKing, Geno Washington, Bill Wyman, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe and many more. The band’s set consists of many of Mr. Lane’s classic songs: Ooh La La, Debris, How Come, One for the Road, The Poacher and more. The band is known for the high quality of its musicianship, and features accordion, fiddle and Irish whistle alongside the traditional rock and roll line up of bass, drums, sax and keys.
The rebirth of Slim Chance is a phenomenon in itself and the band has received many great reviews.“Original Chancers Steve Bingham, Charlie Hart and Steve Simpson convincingly recreate Ronnie's uniquely ruralised, soul-and-groove brand of folk-rock" (Uncut) “Richly garnished by fiddles, bottleneck and accordion, the rejuvenated Slim Chance seem to be emerging with a rough-shod, rollicking sound of their own..... the party is already in full swing" (Record Collector)
Opening the show tonight will be The Ladles, a collective of local favourites including guitarists Chris Narayan (of the Jasmine Minks), Sean Bright and Joe Kinsey, vocalist Isobel Reid and violinist Sam Palmer. Their engaging collection of Americana-flavoured originals and some choice covers will be the perfect warm-up for that Slim Chance magic!
