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 Ozrik Tentacles. But I have read about their connections with Gong, the alternative music scene, the free Stonehenge festivals, Glastonbury and other similar events. Imagine some sort of mash – up of Hawkwind, Gong, Steve Hillage, psychedelic rock, trance, dance and space rock and you are getting there.
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.
Setlist (based on published previous set lists it could have been something like this; but then maybe not!): Eternal Wheel; Blooperdome; Sliding and Gliding; Kick Muck; Lotus Unfolding; Dub Jam; Sploosh!; Jellylips.
The Ozrik Tentacles logo/image is from my ticket
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.
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 
So Jan and I arrive early enough to catch the support act, 
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.
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.
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.
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
And so my search for Rod the Mod continues. This was the third time I had seen 
Each time I hope for old classics and Rod returning to the days when he was a spiky haired mod and had Ronnie Wood by his side in The Faces. And each time he delivers. Alongside the Las Vegas Rod Stewart, every now and then, he returns to the past and takes me back to my youth. Of course at the Albert Hall he really did have Ronnie Wood by his side.
First, the not so good side of the evening. It was pouring with rain all night and we got absolutely drenched. Also on the way in they were offering tickets at the door for 2 for £10, quite annoying when I paid full price for my tickets. Apparently only 5000 or so tickets had been sold out of 15,000. I would put this down to the fact that it is only 6 months since Rod played in the North-East. Also maybe some people would have come along on the night if the weather had been better, but as I said, it was sadly raining heavily all evening. But let’s quickly move on to the positives because this was still a great concert.
The support act was none other than 
After a short break Rod took to the stage. He opened with a great version of the late, sadly missed, Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” and then I was transported back to 1971 and memories of Sunderland Top Rank and Sunderland Locarno with Rod the Mod singing “You Wear It Well”. Another Faces memory with “Ooh La La” and seeing that tour at Newcastle Odeon. Back to Robert Palmer territory and “Some Guys Have All the Luck”. Excellent so far. Soon it is another classic “Baby Jane” and memories of when that song was released and seeing Rod at Ibrox Stadium Glasgow. Apologies for all the reminiscences but please bear with an old guy and his memories 🙂
More classics follow: “I Don’t Want to Talk about It”, Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is the Deepest”. Then we are right back to 1971 again and “Maggie May”. I forget that I am drenched, this is classic Rod and at 78 he is still on great form. “I’d Rather Go Blind” is dedicated to the late Christine McVie. A few more songs and then Rod hands over to the female singers to deliver “I’m Every Woman”.
Rod returns with a new outfit and is joined by Boy George. George explains that the next song “The Killing of Georgie” means a lot to him personally, and how his mother gave it to him as a present in a brown paper bag. It was her way of letting him know that she realised he was gay. Rod and George deliver the song together and it is very appropriate and very moving. George explains that he has to leave because his Nan is not well.
A few more songs and then it is back to the female vocalists, a final rest and costume change for Rod and “Lady Marmalade”. Rod returns for “Stay with Me” which of course takes me back again. Rod do you really still need to sing “Do You Think I’m Sexy?”?. Finally I am back in Newcastle City Hall for his first solo tour, the single of the time and the usual closing song “Sailing”. Massive singalong. We (Jackie, Elaine and I) all enjoyed it even though we were completely soaked.
Setlist: Addicted to Love; You Wear It Well; Ooh La La; Some Guys Have All the Luck; Having a Party; Baby Jane; Forever Young; I Don’t Want to Talk About It; The First Cut Is the Deepest; Maggie May; I’d Rather Go Blind; Young Turks; Downtown Train; Rhythm of My Heart; I’m Every Woman; The Killing of Georgie; You’re in My Heart; Tonight’s the Night; Have I Told You Lately; Lady Marmalade; Stay With Me.
So, off to Leeds we went to see the mighty 
A short taxi ride took us from the station up to the Arena, in time to catch the support act who were a German heavy metal band called 
I have followed Iron Maiden since the very early days when Paul Di’Anno was the singer and the first single was “Running Free”. I remember seeing them at Sunderland Mecca and at Newcastle City Hall with Def Leppard as support act. I have seen them several times more over the years and always enjoy their concerts. I know what to expect and sure enough Maiden delivered as usual. Lots of guitar solos with mad antics and shape throwing from the three guitarists: original Dave Murray, long-term member Adrian Smith and north-east lad Janick Gers who used to be in a local band White Spirit, and who I saw several times in the early 1980s.
Steve Harris, on bass guitar, founder member and leader commands the stage alongside singer Bruce Dickinson who I first remember as Bruce Bruce in Samson, a New Wave of British Heavy Metal band led by guitarist Paul Samson and with drummer Thunderstick who performed with a leather mask from within a cage; I kid you not. And last but by no means least is long-term drummer Nicko McBrain.
Iron Maiden drew their songs from throughout their extensive catalogue. The recipe remained as always: superb guitar histrionics, Bruce’s soaring operatic vocals and Steve’s thundering bass driving the band forward. Great visuals and backdrops, including some of Patrick McGoohan (“I am not number, I am a person”) for song “The Prisoner”. We manage to catch quite a bit of the show but, as I expected, we need to leave before the end to catch the train back to Durham and then our taxi home.
We all enjoyed the event, with Jackie and even Elaine agreeing that Iron Maiden were superb. Oh, and I must not forget the mascot monster Eddie who appeared as a golden, gun toting, cowboy complete with gold Stetson during the first part of the set. I am sure he must have reappeared after we left.
So, my conclusion about travelling to shows in Leeds is that it is worth doing so for bands I really want to see as long as I am prepared to miss out on the last part of the concert. Such is life these days. I guess I can’t have everything.
Setlist: Caught Somewhere in Time; Stranger in a Strange Land; The Writing on the Wall; Days of Future Past; The Time Machine; The Prisoner; Death of the Celts; Can I Play With Madness; Heaven Can Wait; Alexander the Great; Fear of the Dark; Iron Maiden.
After George’s passing in 1967, his widow Faye continued to manage the group and their success grew until they become a household name. The Drifters had many hits on both sides of the Atlantic and they were, quite rightly, inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1988.
Further success and accolades followed. In 1993 The Drifters were requested by the President of the USA to perform at the White House and in 2004 they were listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 100 ‘Greatest Artists of All Time’.
Faye Treadwell passed away in May 2011 and then her daughter Tina Treadwell continued to manage The Drifters and their legacy. Tina has recently launched a new version of The Drifters and intends to take their story to the West End and Broadway. (Some of the above adapted from material on The Drifters official website).
It was this completely new version of The Drifters which I saw at Billingham Forum on Saturday night (a very appropriate evening on which to see this band). So, the members and the voices have changed many times over the years; yet the songs and the soul of the band remains constant. You know what to expect: lots of singalong, many hits which you have forgotten and a great evening of pure nostalgia and joyous entertainment.
That is exactly what we got. The show cleverly used video of Tina Treadwell introducing the band and their history, sections of covers of songs by Ben E King and Motown classics, all put together to ensure maximum entertainment. By the end of the evening everyone in the house was up and dancing. I knew almost every song. A few years ago, out of musical snobbery and would not have contemplated going to see this band. However today I have come to the point where I recognise music for what it is: an opportunity to get out and have some great fun.
Setlist: (Something like) Set 1: On Broadway; Under the Boardwalk; This Magic Moment; There Goes My First Love; Come on Over to My Place; I (Who Have Nothing); Spanish Harlem; Stand by Me; Fools Fall in Love; Down on the Beach Tonight; Hello Happiness; I Count the Tears; Dance With Me; Save the Last Dance for Me.
Set 2: Kissing in the Back Row; When My Little Girl Is Smiling; My Girl; Get Ready; I Can’t Help Myself; It’s the Same Old Song; Uptight; Some Kind of Wonderful; Up on the Roof; Like Sister and Brother.
A journey to York to see a classic band. It doesn’t get much better. The Crescent is a lovely community venue that presents some great acts. This is the nearest place in the North-East that 
I have seen Soft Machine a few times over the years since the early 1970s. The last time I saw them was at Kendal Arts Centre, another lovely venue. So, I figured it was time to renew my acquaintance with Soft Machine and their music.
The Crescent proudly announces the band thus: “Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. Their work, from their earliest performances as a psychedelic band, who were contemporaries of, and shared stages with Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, all the way to being one of Europe’s best known ‘fusion’ bands has influenced several generations of bands, and continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.
Whilst the line-up of Soft Machine may have changed many times since the heady days of the late 1960’s, the band’s spirit of musical adventure, and the ease with which it freely avoids being pigeon holed and can move from powerful progressive jazz fusion to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz-rock to ambient loop music continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary.”
Soft Machine were formed in mid-1966 by Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals), Kevin Ayers (bass, guitar, vocals), Daevid Allen (guitar; who would go on to form Gong) and Mike Ratledge (organ). The band members would change many times over the years with Mike Ratledge fronting Soft Machine up until the mid-1970s when guitarist John Etheridge joined and became front man. The current line-up features John Etheridge on guitar, Asaf Sirkis on drums, Theo Travis on saxophones and Fred Thelonius Baker on bass. We take our seats close to the back with a great view of the entire stage.
The concert starts at 8:15 p.m. and is in two parts. The music is, as expected, all instrumental, quite jazzy and moves effortlessly from guitar led tracks during which John Etheridge takes to the fore and flute or saxophone led tracks featuring Theo Travis. All pleasant, challenging, mood provoking with many twists and turns. Fred Thelonius Baker takes front stage for some thundersome bass during some tracks and new drummer Asaf Sirkis (who has only recently joined the band, stepping into the shoes of John Marshall a member since 1972) also takes some solos. After a short interval and time for a lovely double Drambuie, the band return to the stage.
The music draws heavily from the mid-70s period, but also features selections from their current album. They also take us right back to 1967 and the band’s first single “Joy of a Toy” written by Kevin Ayers. Fantastic. The whole evening is highly enjoyable and both Jan and Jackie agree that the music is pleasant and find some of the tracks slightly familiar. We have to leave for our train back to Durham just as the band return for an encore. Then our friendly taxi driver is waiting for us at Durham station. We arrive at 12:13 a.m. Back home around 1 a.m. Another great visit to a lovely venue in a lovely city.
Setlist (something like this): First Set: Penny Hitch; Open Doors; The Visitor at the Window; The Tale of Taliesin; Broken Hill; Fourteen Hour Dream; Gesolreut.
When I was young my Dad would take me to the cinema. He loved movies and he would take me to all the local cinemas around Sunderland and Newcastle. There were so many more cinemas in those days. We would go three or four times a week to the cinema. I saw every Walt Disney cartoon, all the Sean Connery James Bond films, Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday and all his other films, the Beatles in Hard Day’s Night and Help and just about every film that came out during the early to mid-1960s. I even remember going in the middle of the night to watch a grainy image of Cassius Clay fighting at a live screening in a cinema in Newcastle. And another vivid memory is of going one Saturday afternoon to the Stoll Theatre to see the original (and best in my view) King Kong. I remember being terrified when Kong first appeared on the screen. Well, I guess you are wondering why I am starting my post with this story. The connection is this. The Stoll Theatre is now the Tyne Theatre.
So, roll on almost 60 years and I am back in the Tyne Theatre. Thanks to a restoration it still has all the original, ornate features and is a fantastic old theatre and opera house. And this time it is to see a giant of folk and rock music, 
Jackie and I arrived in time to catch the support act, I think they were called Memoir, an excellent duo with great songs. After a short interval, Richard took the stage. Tonight, we were treated to Richard the solo artist and folk singer with acoustic guitar. Later on in the set he was accompanied by a female singer. At one point he told us how, as a young man, he would travel from his home in North London to the Marquee Club in Soho, to see tremendous acts of the time including The Who, The Move and on a Friday night, the Yardbirds. He said he would stand, in awe, at the feet of the late great Jeff Beck.
Richard took us through a selection of his extensive repertoire including back to a song he wrote with Fairport Convention “Genesis Hall” and a lovely rendition of “Who knows where the time goes” written during his time with Fairport Convention by the unique talent that was Sandy Denny. I particularly like the song “Beeswing” which is quite haunting. Throughout, his guitar playing was impeccable and his unique voice draws you into the story behind the song. I am now completely sold on the talent of Richard Thompson and will try and see him each time he visits the region.
Setlist (Something like): Gethsemane; If I Could Live My Life Again; Genesis Hall; Valerie; Walking the Long Miles Home; Down Where the Drunkards Roll; Johnny’s Far Away; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning; Singapore Sadie; Trust; Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen; Who Knows Where the Time Goes; I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight; The Rattle Within.
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