Akkerman Band The Brook

Went to see Jan Akkerman and Band last night on the final night of their brief UK tour. They were in the Brook, Southampton, 1 hour 50 minutes away, with room for perhaps as many as a hundred or so standing. I went on my own but bumped into Akkernutters (Utternackers?) Jim (Scotland) who went to them all I think and Leigh, down from Pontypridd for his birthday with two mates, one of whom I'd met before. Also nice to chat briefly to Neil the soundman and Paul who does the merchandise.
We had a nice long set (a bit long for me as it didn't finish to getting on for 12). We started with very bluesy versions of something from CU, Streetwalker plus a strange stop start version of Pietons that included a fine bass solo from Willy. Then we had 4 Focus numbers - Anonymus (see video), Focus 2 (excellent), a superb Palace of the King and a fine Answers Questions. Shook Jan's hand midway but didn't see him at the end.
After the break we had versions of The Zebrah and Kendal in the wind (! Cotton Bay?). Hocus Pocus and Sylvia followed. The former began with a blistering low solo from Akkerman. There was something else from CU that followed too - Urban String? (I think that it was at the end of this track that the ever improving Marijn had his drum solo).
Rather than going off and returning they proceeded to the encore - Blues Root and a fine version of Paul Weller's You do something to me.
Then it was off up the M3 home and not overly late. It was a good concert but did seem to lack something - new material I guess. Although marked by a few new arrangements and variations and plenty of subtlety, the lack of new material is beginning to be a pain. A good night, nevertheless.