The Cluny is a lovely little pub venue situated in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle upon Tyne. It often gets great bands on. Over the years I have seen many of my favourite acts perform there including The Groundhogs featuring the sadly recently passed Tony McPhee, Stray, the New York Dolls, Chicken Shack featuring the great Stan Webb, the Pink Fairies, Wishbone Ash and many others.
Last Wednesday they hosted the latest incarnation of the legendary American psychedelic pioneers Love. Lead singer and main songwriter from the band, Arthur Lee, is sadly no longer with us. This version of Love features original guitarist Johnny Echols, backed up by Baby Lemonade who were the backing band for Arthur Lee and Love for many years. So there is a line of authenticity taking us back to the original band. And that is good enough for me. It is the closest I am going to get to the real thing.
So Jan and I arrive early enough to catch the support act, Scott Hepple and the Sun Band who for some reason remind me of early Status Quo circa 1971/1972. Quite loud and pretty good as well. Clearly a group of young people worth watching out for. After a short while during which I partake in a double Jack Daniels and purchase a Love and a Cluny T-shirt, the main band take to the stage.
Now Forever Changes is an absolute classic, often rated as one of the best albums of all time. And I can’t disagree. Neither would the crowd in the Cluny. The place was absolutely packed and almost everyone sang along to every song. To my shame I can’t claim to know every song by Love but many sounded familiar.
Original guitarist Johnny Echols looks so cool, quite the part for an original psychedelic electric guitar hero complete with bandanna, straight out of the late 1960s. He co-founded the band with Arthur Lee back in 1965. Respect.
Burt Bacharach’s “Little Red Book” sounded as fresh as ever and “Alone Again or” is undoubtedly one of the best songs of all time.
A great show by the latest version of a classic band. It doesn’t get much better.
It was wonderful to say hello to a guy who introduced himself to me as a regular reader of my blog. Thank you so much for your support, my friend.
Thanks to Jan for the photos.
Setlist: A house is not a motel; Your mind and we belong together; My little red book; Softly to me; Can’t explain; Live and let live; The red telephone; Andmoreagain; Orange skies; Stephanie who knows; Signed DC; Alone again or; Maybe the people would be the times or between Clark and Hilldale; You set the scene; August; Your friend and mine ; Always see your face; Singing cowboy; 7 and 7 is
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