To celebrate National Poetry Day The Tyneside Cinema welcomed punk poet John Cooper Clarke for a one-off live broadcast of the documentary Evidently… John Cooper Clarke. Not only were we treated to a screening of the film, but the great poet was also there himself, and took part in a Q&A session after the film. The proceedings were beamed to a dozen or so cinemas across the UK, and the audience at each event was given the opportunity to tweet questions to John. Laura is a big fan, so along we went.
Evidently… John Cooper Clarke, is a documentary which “records and celebrates the life and works of ‘punk poet’ John Cooper Clarke, looking at his life as a poet, a comedian, a recording artist and revealing how he has remained a significant influence on contemporary culture. With a bevy of household names from stand-up comedy, lyricists, rock stars and cultural commentators paying homage to him, the film reveals Salford-born Cooper Clarke, as a dynamic force who remains as relevant today as ever, as successive generations cite him as an influence on thier lives, careers and styles.
From Bill Bailey to Plan B, Steve Coogan to Kate Nash and Arctic Monkey’s front man, Alex Turner to cultural commentators such as Miranda Sawyer and Paul Moreley, the film exposes the life behind one of Britain’s sharpest and most witty poets – a national treasure.”
Laura and I both enjoyed the film which featured all of John’s best known poems, and the Q & A session gave a fascinating insight into his life and influences. I found out quite a few things that I didn’t know about John. For instance I wasn’t aware that his poems had been placed on the national English syllabus for Schools. He even told us which brand of hairspray he uses to keep his formidable locks in place.
Posts Tagged ‘folk’
4 Oct
Evidently… John Cooper Clarke Tyneside Cinema 3 Oct 2013
24 Sep
Ronnie Lane Passing Show Newcastle Town Moor July 1974
Ronnie Lane Passing Show Newcastle Town Moor July 1974
It was the summer of ’74 and Ronnie Lane set out on one of the most ambitious tours of the decade. “A merry troupe of minstrels, travelling the country in caravans, accompanied by clowns, animals and a big top. Ronnie Lane, the beloved entertainer, was taking his music back to the people….. while the likes of Deep Purple cruised from hotels to concert halls in limousines, Lane and his band Slim Chance snailed around Britain in a raggle-taggle convoy. Wearing spotted neckerchiefs and scarves, they almost begged to be flagged down by a patrol car and asked what century they’d come from” (Uncut, 2010).
The tour concept was based on the travelling shows of the past, the circus, and the days of the troubadour. Ronnie assembled a collection of folk singers, dancing girls, and clowns to accompany himself and his band Slim Chance, and promised us “all the fun of the circus and a carnival atmosphere”. Support acts were (according to my programme, which I still have) Lucas and McCulloch, Bill Barlcay, Nicol and Marsh, and Billy Livsey. The line-up of Slim Chance was quite fluid and featured Gallagher and Lyle at one point, although I don’t recall if there were part of the band when I saw the Passing Show. My programme lists the members as Bruce Rowland, Jimmy Jewel (not the comedian) and Kevin Westlake. 
Ronnie’s lovely wife, Katie, entertained us with dance and much swirling of her long flowing skirts. Viv Stanshall, from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, was a short-lived ringmaster, but wasn’t at the Newcastle gig.
The show took up residency on Newcastle Town Moor for 5 nights from July 10th to July 14th 1974 (according to my poster). I went along, much out of curiosity, with my mate Norm. I have a feeling that these dates may have been put back by a week, as I recall that I had been to see the Allman Brothers at Knebworth the day before, and the date of that gig was Sat 20th July, which would mean we saw the Passing Show on Sunday 21st July. I still have my ticket stub, but it doesn’t help as there is no date on it. It does show that the gig cost us all of £1.10 :).
I remember the show as being very different, good fun, quite long, and that it was pretty cold in the circus marquee. Sadly it was very poorly attended. “How Come” had been a hit for Ronnie the year before, and I remember that song was played, but don’t recall the rest of the set; I think the material was unfamiliar to us. I don’t think any Faces or Small Faces tunes were played, but I could be wrong.
Sadly, the tour was not a success and…. ‘eventually ran out of luck. It was abandoned in Newcastle, where, over three nights, Slim Chance played to a total of 30 people. Ronnie had spent thousands keeping it afloat, as had Bruce Rowland “I lost about four-and-a-half grand, a lot of money in those days,” Rowland says. “Everything was broken and we had to bring it home. I took a 40-foot caravan down the M1 with a Land Rover, then went back to Newcastle on the train and drove the Pantechnicon down. It had two gears, no reverse, back brakes only, and no starter. I drove between 5mph and 10mph most of the way. It took me three days.”’ (Uncut, 2010).
David Cavanagh’s article, ‘ONE FOR THE ROAD’, on Ronnie Lane, was published in UNCUT, July 2010.
16 Sep
Lindisfarne live 1971 and 1972
Lindisfarne 1971 and 1972
The next band I’ll be writing about is Lindisfarne. I must have seen Lindisfarne more than 20 times over the years, including the legendary Christmas concerts at Newcastle City Hall, and at many festivals. I’m starting today with gigs I attended in Newcastle, Sunderland and at festivals during 1971 and 1972. I’ll reflect a little about those gigs today, and I’ll then move on to their 1972 UK tour which featured Genesis as support, Lindisfarne Mk II (1973 – 1975), the comeback Christmas concerts ay Newcastle City Hall in 1976 and 1977, the full comeback in 1978 and success with Run For Home, the ongoing City Hall Christmas concerts (1978 and into the 80s), and the sad farewell in 2003. Whew! That’s this week of blogging mapped out!
I first saw this band at Newcastle City Hall on a Charisma package tour, which featured Van der Graaf Generator, Lindisfarne and Genesis. The tickets were all of 30p, and we had some Northern Arts vouchers from school which entitled us to half price entry, and meant we paid 15p each! We hadn’t seen any of the three bands before and were really excited about it. The place was completely packed and we only just managed to get in. In those days, when the hall was full, they would let you sit on the stage on tiered choir seats behind the performers. This became a tradition for Lindisfarne in particular and that’s where we ended up that night. First up were Genesis, who were just great; this was the era of The Knife and the Musical Box, but it was Lindisfarne who stole the show that night. Unbeknown to us they were already local heroes and had everyone singing along with Fog on the Tyne, Meet me on the Corner, Lady Eleanor, and Clear White Light (my favourite along with Winter Song). The band was yet to break through big. We found headline band Van de Graaf Generator quite strange and somewhat difficult to get into, although Killer and Refugees have become favourites over the years. A great evening, a bargain at 15p :), and the first of many great nights that I would spend with Lindisfarne over the next 30+ years.
I then saw Lindisfarne at Sunderland Top Rank, which was another packed night, with support from the excellent Capability Brown; I remember Clear White Light was the encore in those days, and I can picture the packed ballroom singing along, everyone on tables and chairs, hands in the air. Lindisfarne were also great festival favourites and I saw them steal the show on a couple of occasions at open air events; at the Lincoln festival in May 1972, and again at the Grangemouth pop festival near Edinburgh in late 1972.
This was the classic line-up of Alan Hull, Ray Jackson, Rod Clements, Si Cowe, and Ray Laidlaw. The band really were at the top of the game during this period, and couldn’t be betted as fun-time live act. They had two excellent albums under their belt; Nicely Out of Tune (1970) and Fog on the Tyne (1971), and a clutch of great sing-along tunes. A Lindisfarne concert at the time incuded No Time To Lose, January Song, Meet Me On The Corner, Alright On The Night, Train In G Major, Scotch Mist, Lady Eleanor, Knacker’s Yard Blues, Fog On The Tyne, We Can Swing Together, and Clear White Light as encore. Their 1971 December City Hall concert was recorded and released as a live album in 1973, and shows the band at their live best. You knew what to expect when you went along to a Lindisfarne concert in those days: great humorous stage banter from Alan Hull and Jacka, singalong songs that we all knew the words to, classic folk-rock with mouth harp and violin, some rock’n’roll, beautiful harmonies particularly on Clear White Light, and the haunting Lady Eleanor.
Its easy to forget just how successful and popular Lindisfarne were at the time. From Rolling Stone magazine in 1972: “Fog on the Tyne has been just about the biggest album in Great Britain this year. The single off the album, ‘Meet Me on the Corner’, was also a bestseller.This makes Lindisfarne the most popular band in England right now — next to T Rex, that is. But Lindisfarne neither looks nor sounds very commercial; the group’s style is uncompromisingly peculiar. The band is unique in every way..”
Tomorrow I’ll write about the 1972 tour, which featured Genesis as support, and was in support of their third album Dingly Dell. The tour called at the City Hall for two nights, and I went along to both concerts.
1 Sep
Linda Lewis Sunderland Empire 1975
Linda Lewis Sunderland Empire 1975
Support from Labi Siffre
Linda Lewis worked incredibly hard in the first half of the 70s. It seemed that everywhere I went, I would saw her perform. One of the first occasions I became aware of her was when this chirpy, cheeky but obviously nervous young lady took to the stage to sing and strum her songs early one day at the 1972 Reading Festival. She then popped up as the opening act on a number of concert tours of major artists of the time. I recall seeing her open for Cat Stevens, and Elton John, and there were certainly others. And she also took to the stage of the 1975 Knebworth Festival, sharing the bill with Pink Floyd, Captain Beefheart, Roy Harper and Steve Miller (and of course DJ John Peel).
Linda always came over as a genuine person. She would chat with the audience, and had an engaging, chirpy and bubbly personality. Her songs were a mix of folk, pop and R&B; as a result she was quite difficult to categorise. As the 1975 tour programme explains: “Tonight, ladies and gentlemen you have the pleasure of viewing one of the great contradictions of our time; Linda Lewis. Sounds like a bit of a cheek? When Linda greets you on stage or in person there is an immediate air of warmth, good will and earthy sensitivity. Between those occaional high pitched giggles, there is an outspoken artist who is very much her own woman.The contradiction lies with us her audience. Look around you tonight and you’ll see the kind of melting pot that Linda attracts as her fans. 
There are those who welcome sweet singing Linda, wrapped in delicate shawls, long skins and singing the misty lyrics of her early days. To the younger ones, Linda is the chirpy voice on the Spangles ad and the crooner of ‘Rock A Doodle Doo’. Late nighters have been swayed by her sensuous jazz influenced sets down at Ronnie Scott’s Club twice this year. And across the ocean, her old tim€e soul singing on ‘It’s In His Kiss’ probably has them envisioning her as the British Gloria Gaynor. Giving credit where it is due for diversity, it’s not everyone who has shared the stage with Elton John and The Staple Singers, Ritchie Havens, Jim Webb, Family plus tackled the Knebworth festival.”
By 1975, Linda was out on her own headline tour. My friends and I caught the tour when it called at Sunderland Empire in October 1975. She was promoting her fourth album “Not a Little Girl Anymore” which featured quite a racy photo of Linda on the cover. She had already hit the UK singles chart in 1973 with “Rock-a-Doodle-Doo” which reached No 15; produced by her husband Jim Cregan, of Family and Cockney Rebel. Linda hit the chart again in 1975 with her cover of “It’s in His Kiss”, which reached No 6 and was later covered by Cher. Her set consisted of some of her own songs, and a few covers, including a great version of John Martyn’s “May You Never”. Support act Labi Siffre had seen chart success himself with “It Must Be Love” (No. 14, 1971, and later covered by Madness) and “Crying Laughing Loving Lying” (No. 11, 1972). This was a pleasant evening with two great, and often under-rated, British singer-songwriters.
I lost touch with Linda Lewis as the 70s came to close. I remember seeing Labi one more time, at a Friday night gig at Newcastle Poly Students Union. Its time for me to look for copies of Linda Lewis’ early lps and catch up with her work again.
1 Aug
Jethro Tull Acoustic Middlesbrough Town Hall 2007
Jethro Tull Acoustic Middlesbrough Town Hall 2007
In 2007 Jethro Tull released “The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull” which included some of the band’s best known acoustic tracks from 1969 onward. To promote the album the band toured an acoustic show, which called at Middlesbrough Town Hall. 
The line-up of Tull for this tour was Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, David Goodier, John O’Hara and James Duncan Anderson. They were accompanied by special guest Violinist Anna Phoebe. Setlist: Some Day The Sun Wont Shine For You; Living In The Past; The Water Carrier; Gypsy; Katerina’s Theme; Jack In The Green; The Donkey And The Drum; Thick As A Brick; Birnam Wood To Dunsinane; Fat Man; Bouree. INTERVAL. 99 Lives; Dun Ringill; Pastime With Good Company; Steal; Aqualung; America; My God; Beside Myself / Rocks On The Road / Budapest; Locomotive Breath. The folkier side of Tull was never my favourite in the late 70s and early 80s, but I grew to like it as time passed. I certainly enjoyed this gig, which presented the softer, acoustic side of the band.
31 Jul
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 2004 and 2006
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 2004 and 2006
I saw Jethro Tull at the City Hall in 2004 and 2006. Tull were involved in quite a number of projects during these years. In 2003 they released The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, which consisted of a collection of traditional Christmas songs, along with some Christmas songs written by Jethro Tull. The album was a big success and their best selling release since the 1987 Crest of a Knave.
The set for the 2004 concert included quite a few Christmas songs as a result, as well as some great old favourites like Beggars Farm and Nothing Is Easy, taking us right back to the very early days of the band. The setlist for the 2004 Newcastle concert (I got the list from a bootleg which was recorded at this gig): Aqua-Intro; Living In The Past; Nothing Is Easy; Beggar’s Farm; Eurology; A Christmas Song; Farm on the Freeway; Pavane; Weathercock; A Week of Moments; Mother Goose; Misére; Songs From The Wood; Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die; Heavy Horses; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Flying Dutchman; My God; Holly Herald; Aqualung; Wind Up; Locomotive Breath; Protect and Survive; Cheerio. 
Both shows were great Tull fun. I went along with Norm and Will and we all enjoyed seeing the old guys again.
In 2005 Ian Anderson released a live double album and DVD called Ian Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull. In addition, a DVD recorded live at the Isle of Wight 1970 and a live album called Aqualung Live (recorded in 2004) were both released in 2005. There were also further line-up changes in 2006 with bassist Jon Noyce leaving to be replaced by David Goodier, and keyboardist Giddings leaving to be replaced by John O’Hara. The 2006 tour was billed as the Aqualung tour, and Tull played that lp in its entirety. Setlist: Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away…, Living In The Past, Slipstream, Up To Me, Griminelli’s Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond’ring Aloud, Mo’z Art, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose, She Is Like The Swallow, Bourée. Interval. Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody, Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love), Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Morris Minus, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath, Protect And Survive, Cheerio. Tull were accompanied by electric violinist Lucia Micarelli for this tour, and she also fronted the band herself for a couple of songs notably covers of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Zeppelin’s Kashmir. Electric violinists featured alongside Ian on a couple of Tull tours around this period. The 2006 concert was a sell out, proving that the band retained their popularity, and that they still have a loyal fan base.
30 Jul
Jethro Tull York Barbican 2001
Jethro Tull York Barbican 2001
My interest in Jethro Tull had been revived by the great show that I attended at Newcastle City Hall in 1999. I was therefore quite disappointed when their 2001 outing missed out Newcastle, so I persuaded Marie to come and see them with me in York, which was the nearest show on the tour. The concert was held at the York Barbican centre which was a sports complex and also used for concerts. This was the first time that I’d visited the Barbican. I did go with David to see Steve Winwood there a couple of years later. The Barbican has recently been refurbished, and it reopened a couple of years ago as an entertainment centre, which plays host to lots of concerts. I need to find a reason to visit again 🙂 
Tull were on grand form as usual, and I enjoyed the show, although there were quite a few songs which were unfamiliar to me. Looking at the setlist today, I understand why. At least four of the songs were Ian Anderson solo tracks (Ian had released three solo albums by 2001). Even Marie (sort of) enjoyed her Tull outing, although we had a (friendly) argument about Ian’s flute solos. When he started a solo he would press a foot pedal. Marie was convinced that the solo was on tape, and that Ian was switching the tape on with the pedal. I was equally convinced (and remain so to this day) that there was no such use of tapes at all, and that the pedal was merely an effects pedal. Setlist: Aqualung; My Sunday Feeling; Cross-Eyed Mary; Roots to Branches; Jack-in-the-Green; Thick as a Brick; Sweet Dream; Beside Myself; Hunt by Numbers; Bourée; The Water Carrier (Ian Anderson song); The Habanero Reel (Ian Anderson song); Set-Aside (Ian Anderson song); Pibroch (Cap in Hand) (Instrumental); A New Day Yesterday; In the Grip of Stronger Stuff (Ian Anderson song); Budapest; Mayhem Jig; Aqualung; Locomotive Breath; Living in the Past; Protect and Survive (Instrumental); Cheerio
28 Jul
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 1999
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 1999
It was another 9 years before I saw Jethro Tull again. By this time the line-up had changed a little (again) to: Ian Anderson (flute, vocals), Martin Barre (guitar), Andrew Giddings (keyboards), Jonathan Noyce (bass), and Doane Perry (drums). They had just released the album J-Tull Dot Com. The new material displayed Eastern and world music influences, but as usual the concert featured a mix of Tull material from throughout their career. 
I’d lost touch with Jethro Tull up to this point, but this concert reminded me how great they were (and still are), and how much I had enjoyed their music. It was great to see Ian Anderson and Martin Barre in particular. Ian was ever the showman, although his voice was not as strong as it had been. Martin’s guitar playing and quiet presence were as excellent as always. And they played classics like Living in the Past, Witches Promise and Fat Man. Great stuff. I was hooked again, and started to attend Tull concerts more regularly from that point onward. Setlist: Steel Monkey; For a Thousand Mothers; Serenade to a Cuckoo; Spiral; Witches Promise; Nothing Is Easy; Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square; Fat Man; AWOL; A New Day Yesterday; Nellie the Revenge; Dot Com; Boris Dancing; Hunting Girl; Hunt by Numbers; Flying Dutchman; My God (with flute solo); Passion Jig; Locomotive Breath; Aquadiddley; Aqualung; Living in the Past; Dogs in the Midwinter; The Dambusters March; Cheerio
27 Jul
Jethro Tull Sunderland Empire 1990
Jethro Tull Sunderland Empire 1990
I went with a group of mates to this gig, some 19 years since we first saw Jethro Tull at the same venue. The late 80s and early 90s saw Tull return to rock and the blues for the albums Crest of a Knave (1987), Rock Island (1989), and Catfish Rising (1991). The one thing that sticks in my mind about this gig is Ian coming on stage with a massive search light which he then proceeded to shine at all of us. Looking back at the set list for the concert (of which live recordings exist) reminds me that Tull played some great old favourites that night; including Living In The Past and Love Story (that song is still a big favourite of mine). There was no support act for this show. 
Thanks to Doug for the great picture, which he took at this concert.
Setlist: Intro: Tanz, Wond’ring Aloud, Steel Monkey, Thick As A Brick, Living In The Past, Rock Island, Nellie The Revenge (inst.), Cheap Day Return/Nursie, Mother Goose/Jack-A-Lynn, Love Story, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Christmas Song, Budapest, Strange Avenues, Kissing Willie, Pine Martin’s Jig/Drowsy Maggie, Dun Ringill, Jack-In-The-Green, Said She Was A Dancer, My God (including flute solo, Bourée), Pussy Willow/Pibroch (instrumental), Another Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Too Old To Rock’N’Roll, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Fylingdale Flyer (instrumental), Cheerio.
26 Jul
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 1984
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 1984
Jethro Tull returned to Newcastle City Hall in September 1984. The tour was to promote their new album Under Wraps. This new release introduced an 80s electronic/synth-pop sound, to a mixed reaction from fans and critics. The concert was, however, a big success, with quite a long set drawing from many of Tull’s albums (by 1984 they had released 15 albums!). Tull also played a couple of track from Ian Anderson’s solo album Walk Into Light, which was released in 1983. 
Under Wraps #1; Locomotive Breath (Instrumental intro); Hunting Girl; Under Wraps #1; Later, That Same Evening; Nobody’s Car; Apogee; Thick as a Brick; Level Pegging; Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day; Pussy Willow; Clasp; Living in the Past; Serenade to a Cuckoo; Fat Man; Fly by Night; Made in England; 
European Legacy; Black Sunday; Aqualung; Locomotive Breath; Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too Young to Die; Different Germany; Thick as a Brick (reprise).
Thanks to Doug for the picture which was taken at the City Hall at Tull’s visit in 1982. The band at this point consisted of Ian Anderson (flute, vocals and part-time detective for this tour concept), Martin Barre (guitar), Dave Pegg (bass), Peter-John Vettese (keyboards) and new man Doane Perry (drums). The programme consists of photos of the band members, depicting Ian Anderson as a super-sleuth (the subject matter of the songs on Under Wraps is heavily influenced by Ian’s love of espionage fiction), and lyrics from some of the songs which were performed during the concerts.
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