I just checked my blog entries and it tells me that I have seen Wishbone Ash more than 30 times since 1972. To be honest I think that is a somewhat conservative estimate. Anyway, I always enjoy seeing this band so the opportunity to catch them again could not be passed up. The Wylam Brewery is a lovely building situated within Exhibition Park Newcastle. It still operates as a brewery as well as a concert venue and a very successful venue for weddings. You drive up a little road into the park, past a little lake and up to the majestic hall.
This tour is entitled the Live Dates tour, commemorating 50 years of their live albums of the same name. I run into an old friend and fellow blogger Peter. Lovely to meet you Peter. We chat and realise that we were both at the same concert in 1973 at Newcastle City Hall when the Live Dates album was first recorded. I could not resist going back and reproducing my memories of 50 years ago. See below.
Wishbone Ash were back touring the UK in June 1973, and recorded a double live album at concerts in Croydon Fairfield Halls, Reading University, Portsmouth Guildhall and Newcastle City Hall, using The Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio. I attended the Newcastle gig, during which three tracks: “Warrior”, “Blowing Free” and “Throw Down the Sword” were recorded for the album. We didn’t know about the recording until we got into the City Hall. We could see a couple of mikes hanging from the ceiling (aah, such was the technology in those days). Then it was announced over the PA, to a big crowd cheer, that they were going to be recording the show for a future live album. The place was packed and the capacity crowd gave Wishbone Ash a tremendous reception, cheering before and after each song, all of us hoping that our voices might be heard on the lp.
Set list from 1973: The King Will Come, Warrior, Throw Down The Sword, Ballad Of The Beacon, Rock N Roll Widow, Everybody Needs A Friend, The Pilgrim, Blowin’ Free, Jail Bait, Doctor, So Many Things To Say, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Phoenix.
Encores: No Easy Road, Where Were You Tomorrow, Lady Whiskey.
So, roll on 50 years and I am treated to a set which is very similar to that of the momentous 1973 Newcastle City Hall concert. Wishbone Ash start with “Real Guitars Have Wings” before moving swiftly back in time to the Argus album and a particular favourite of mine “The King Will Come”. The rest of the first set is very similar to the original, and even includes the old blues standard, originally by Jimmy Reed, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”.
The second set comprises further classics including another particular favourite “Jail Bait”. They close with the epic “Phoenix” a track which I used to think was too long, but I have grown to love over the years. The encore moves us forward a few years to another favourite of mine “Living Proof”. A great selection of songs.
As often is the case, there are some omissions from the original 1973 set which would have added to the delight of the evening: “No Easy Road” and a track that is rarely featured in their live shows “Where Were You Tomorrow”. You can’t have everything. Hopefully it won’t be long until they return to the north-east. Happy days and 6 nights of concerts in a row. A night of rest before I start again!
Setlist: Set One: Real Guitars Have Wings; The King Will Come; Warrior; Throw Down the Sword; Rock ‘n Roll Widow; Ballad of the Beacon; Baby What You Want Me to Do.
Set Two: The Pilgrim; Blowin’ Free; Jail Bait; Lady Whiskey; Phoenix
Encore: Living Proof; Persephone.
Evening 5 out of a crazy run of 6 concerts in 6 nights. I haven’t done this since before my accident and it is a marathon and a test of stamina for me and my carers! The final evening is Wishbone Ash and I will report on that very soon 🙂
I go back a long way with John, to the days when he was Johnny Rotten and I first saw Sex Pistols in a pub in Whitby in 1976. He was exciting, outspoken, challenging and exhilarating then and he remains so today. That evening in Whitby, and the following year in Scarborough Penthouse club, opened up my eyes to an alternative view of music.
Then a few years later I travelled to Manchester Belle Vue to see an early performance of his new band 
The set comprises many familiar and favourite songs: “Albatross”, “Poptones” from the first album; the singles “This Is Not a Love Song” and “Death Disco “, and “Flowers of Romance”. The sound comes across in waves as John and his band weave a strange aural cacophony which reverberates around the hall. For the encore we are treated to the first single “Public Image” and closer “Rise”, to which we all sing along; everyone is dancing in front of me. A great night spent with a familiar face and voice in a lovely new Sunderland venue. One more night to go! Thanks to Chris for the photographs.
Setlist: Penge; Albatross; Being Stupid Again; Poptones; This Is Not a Love Song; Death Disco; The Room I Am In; Flowers of Romance; Memories; Car Chase; The Body; Warrior; Shoom.
Another night spent with another great band. Tonight it is local heroes 
And apologies for any repetition from a previous blog entry about Lindisfarne. My only excuse is that I have a run of concerts and many blog entries to write this week! “Their first hit, the Clements-penned “Meet Me on the Corner”, paved the way for their classic Fog on the Tyne to become the UK’s top-selling album of 1972. Lindisfarne’s unforgettable songs, powerful live performances and unpretentious style led to worldwide success and an enviable reputation as festival favourites, and the annual Christmas concerts they presented in their native Newcastle became the stuff of legend.
The original band finally called it a day in 2003, but now Lindisfarne are back with a classic five-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, slide guitar) and Alan Hull’s son-in-law Dave Hull-Denholm (vocals, guitars). “ Other members are: Steve Daggett (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar and harmonica) who has been in the band since 1986; Ian Thomson (electric and double bass) a member since 1995 and Paul Smith (drums) who joined more recently in 2021.”
The concert was in two sets with a short interval between them. Lindisfarne play all the old favourites and do them 100% justice. Rod Clements is a quiet yet charismatic front man who introduces many of the songs. Dave Hull-Denholm performs his father-in-law’s songs with the reverence they deserve and his vocals sound very much like Alan Hull. Steve Daggett sings quite a few of the songs and again does justice to the Lindisfarne repertoire. So in the first set we get great tunes such as the enigmatic, melodic early classic “Lady Eleanor”. Other favourites are “Road to Kingdom Come” and “January Song”.
This year’s tour focuses on the album Magic in the Air. This is a live album (see image of my copy) which contains all of the band’s well known songs. So the second set contains many more tunes that I recognise including a wonderful, atmospheric performance of the much underrated “Dingley Dell”. This brings back lovely memories of seeing Lindisfarne at Newcastle City Hall on the Dingley Dell tour. I went both nights as there were different supports each night and I was a fan of each band: Stackridge and Genesis! Happy days.
Then, my particular favourite which still makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck: Dave performing “Winter Song”. Soon we are into the hits: “We can Swing Together”, “Fog on the Tyne” and “Meet me on the Corner”, followed by the massive hit Lindisfarne reunion song “Run for Home”. And the closer, yes it had to be “Clear White Light”. I am transported back to the first time I saw Lindisfarne in the City Hall sandwiched between headliner Van der Graaf Generator and new up-and-coming band Genesis. All for 25p as I recall! Happy days
A new name for a familiar venue. The Sage is now officially relaunched as 
We were welcomed to the event by the Director of the Sage/Glasshouse (I will have to get used to this new name) which was a nice touch. I met, John Lyons, a photographer who had travelled from London for the event. He took a lovely photograph of me and we promised to keep in touch. Please do have a look at John’s 
Then another classic: “Marrakesh Express”, followed shortly by one of my favourite songs, this time a Nash solo track “Military Madness”. After a few more songs, Graham closed the first set with a cover of his friend Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With”. Time for a swift whiskey.
Then “Just Before I Go” a song apparently written as part of a wager, which Graham won. His friend bet that he could not write a song before he left and, of course, he did so. He finishes with “Our House” telling the story of how the song was written when he had just returned home to the house which he shared with Joni Mitchell. For the encore the three musicians perform a lovely a cappella version of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”. The closing number is another classic “Teach Your Children”.
Bought a signed copy of the lyrics to “Teach Your Children”. Wonderful.
We go back a long way, you and I Kevin. I have seen you perform in many different incarnations over the years and you always come over as 100% authentic. Your influences were always clear: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam band, and witnessing Geno in the 60s and 70s in clubs in Birmingham. Jackie Wilson and sweet soul music straight from the heart. Chairman of the Board, their song “Give Me Just a Little More Time” and in particular their lead vocalist.
All of these came together and were the influences behind the first 
Soon after seeing you at the Mayfair I was in a marquee on Newcastle Town Moor for some sort of festival. You headlined one night and The Boomtown Rats headlined the other. I attended both nights, on my own as I recall. This was before “Come on Eileen”. I hadn’t seen you since the Mayfair and “Geno” days, so didn’t quite know what to expect. A bunch of rag–a–taggle gypsies came on stage. You were dressed in a tam hat, denim dungarees and surrounded by a band dressed similarly, including a violinist.
What had happened to Dexys Midnight Runners? They had somehow morphed into this strange new gypsy soul band. And the music was so, so very different. The Too Rye Aye album had yet to be released so I was hearing all these new tunes for the first time. You got me again Kevin. I was totally knocked out. I couldn’t wait to get back home and tell my wife and friends about this strange wonderful experience and how Dexys were back, reborn, different yet still magic and soulful. Of course “Come on Eileen” was a massive hit and you went on to further success.
You seemed to disappear from public view and I think, to my shame, I missed a tour. I picked up on you again some years ago at Whitley Bay Playhouse where you performed a whole new concept album based around the breakup between you and your girlfriend. You sang from the heart once again and I thought it was one of the best concerts I have ever witnessed. And so our journey together takes me to last night, Newcastle City Hall, getting soaking wet in the pouring rain and experiencing your new music. The band is now called simply Dexys. Your new album ,“The Feminine Divine” is based around the concept of male/female stereotypes and explores how the character you play transforms from being a stereotypical man to someone who recognises his partner is his Goddess.
He finally becomes submissive to her every whim, allowing her to take control of the relationship. You perform the entire album as the first set of the evening, a brave move which works well. The crowd have clearly come prepared. Many sing along. Everyone loves the new vision, the new Kevin and accepts the new direction. You look well dressed in red with a white sailor–like hat sitting perched on top of your head. After a short interval and a pint of Guinness you return and play a selection of songs from Too Rye Aye including many which are familiar and some less so. They include “Soon”, “Plan B”, “I’ll Show You”, “All in All”, “Until I Believe in My Soul” and of course “Come on Eileen”. Lots of dancing and singing along. Great. You did it again Kevin. For the encore we get more classics and more singalongs in the form of “Geno” and “Jackie Wilson Said”. The closing song is a traditional Irish song “Carrickfergus” which rounds off the evening very appropriately. Another tour, another side of you revealed to us very openly. Still a soul boy at heart. I look forward to the next chapter and the next part of our journey together Kevin.
Last week I was invited to attend this event at the Centre For Life in Newcastle. The press release below will explain why I was invited and also the great experience I had!
One of the first music fans in the world to hear tracks from Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon album, enjoyed an out of this world trip down memory lane at Life Science Centre (Life), Newcastle.
As a 15-year-old, Peter Smith saw Pink Floyd play at Newcastle City Hall in 1972, when the band first played tunes that would feature on the classic album a year later. At the time the album was provisionally entitled “Eclipse”.
The 66-year-old Sunderland University emeritus professor said: “I can remember it was a really impressive gig – it was played in quadrophonic sound, with speakers around the hall, and I had never heard anything like it before.
“We have heard some really nostalgic stories from visitors who have shared a range of personal memories they have of the album – it definitely seems to have resonated with a lot of people.”
Another trip to the lovely community venue the Crescent, York. I feel alive and alert again after a short period without any concert experiences. Our friendly taxi driver takes us (me, and carers Jan and Joanne) to Durham station, and an equally friendly passenger assistance guy is waiting with the ramp to get me onto the train to York.
At the other end another passenger assistant is waiting with a ramp and I am quickly on the platform. No sooner said and we are snug in the York Station Tap for a swift drink (mine is a large red, thank you) before the short walk to the Crescent. The venue is already full.
I must admit, and to my shame, I am not very familiar with the music of 
The mainstay of the band is guitarist Ed Wynne who is well practised in Steve Hillage glissando guitar which he plays to great advantage alongside another guitarist, a flute player and a keyboard player. Add throbbing drumbeats, liquid lens 60s/70s light shows and lots of crazy dancing by the crowd and you get the picture.
I can’t pretend to have known the songs but the music is enticing, enthralling and encapsulating. Magic. And no drugs (they wouldn’t mix well with my medication anyway). Our view is not great as the venue is, quite appropriately admittedly, standing although Jan and Joanne do manage to sneak a couple of chairs in from the bar. We all enjoy the experience and I look forward to seeing the band again, this time with Gong as support in Newcastle next year.
A short wet walk up to the station and I have a chat with a guy from Newcastle who I last spoke to at the Cluny and another new friend from Northallerton. We all share notes on progressive rock band experiences. Great crack. Hope you both read this blog entry. Soon another friendly face helps me up a ramp onto the train and, as if by magic, the same happens at the other end. Thank you passenger assistance.
Our friendly taxi chariot awaits and whisks us back home in no time at all. I watch Coronation Street on recording and then drift off to sleep. Another fun time had by all. Many thanks to Jan and Joanne for the pictures and to Ozrik Tentacles for a hippie, trippy evening. It was almost the 1970s all over again 🙂
Ozric Tentacles are: Ed Wynne: Guitars / Keyboards; Silas Wynne: Keyboards; Brandi Wynne: Bass; Tim Wallander: Drums; Saskia Maxwell: Flutes.
I am a massive aficionado of the great diva 
Then she added a date close by at Tynemouth Priory as part of the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. So I passed on Glasgow and bought tickets for Tynemouth. I have vague memories of seeing her appear at Maxwell’s nightclub in Tynemouth around 1978 but I can’t really be sure if that really happened or if it is my mind playing tricks on me.
Tynemouth Priory is a lovely setting for seeing concerts. The backdrop on one side is the sea and on the other the ancient priory. We were situated up on a wheelchair platform with a good view of the stage. Jan and I took our place on the platform; Jan had brought along a small fold–away chair which was a good idea as there were only a few seats provided for carers and they were all taken. Siouxsie came on stage at 8:30 PM prompt as there was a 10 PM curfew, presumably to protect local residents from loud sound late at night!
Oh, I forgot to say I bought a lovely limited edition poster with a picture of Siouxsie and the date and location of the concert. An excellent momento of a great occasion.
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