Glen Campbell Sage Gateshead 2007
I grew up with the music of Glen Campbell playing around me. Wichita Lineman was on the radio all of the time when I was a teenager, and although it didn’t seem cool at the time, it was actually one of my favourite songs at the time, and still is today. A few years ago I bought a Glen Campbell Greatest Hits lp in a charity shop and began to realise what a great artist he is. Dreams of the Everyday Housewife is also a favourite of mine. I’ve only ever seen him once in concert, when Marie and I went to see him at The Sage in Gateshead around five years ago. We both really enjoyed the experience. Support came from his daughter Debby. 
Glen looked great. He was wearing a pretty sharp cowboy shirt, jeans and great cowboy boots. And his voice was as clear and beautiful as I hoped it would be. I hadn’t realised the he is also an excellent guitar player, and he treated us to a faultless rendition of Mason Williams’ Classical Gas. From memory, I am pretty sure the set included all the hits: Gentle on My Mind; Galveston; By the Time I Get to Phoenix; True Grit; Wichita Lineman; Rhinestone Cowboy; Southern Nights. Great stuff from a true artist. I sadly missed him on his recent farewell tour, which also called at the Sage. I’d quite fancied going to see him again, but couldn’t make it, which was a disappointment. In recent years, I’ve come to quite like country music, and have been to see quite a few of the old country artists including Kris Kristofferson (he was just great), Willy Nelson (the guy is a legend), and Dolly Parton (good fun show). Guess I must be getting old.
Posts Tagged ‘music’
11 Jul
Glen Campbell Sage Gateshead 2007
10 Jul
The Cure Whitley Bay Ice Rink 1985
The Cure Whitley Bay Ice Rink 1985
By 1985 The Cure had graduated to playing at Whitley Bay Ice Rink, which was a cavernous (and cold!) venue which was frequented by bigger bands during the 80s, before Newcastle Arena was built. By 1985 The Cure had hit the single chart on several occasions, including the superb “Love Cats”. I went along to this gig with my mate Dave, and we were both quite into the band at the time. I seem to remember that we both liked “Love Cats”. Support came from Hard Corps, who were a French band. 
By the time of this gig, The Cure were centred very much around Robert Smith, as band leader and the focus of the live performance. The Cure in concert had become much more of a rock / pop show, and Smith was coming into his own as a front man. Setlist: The Baby Screams, Play For Today, A Night Like This, Primary, Kyoto Song, The Blood, The Hanging Garden, Charlotte Sometimes, Inbetween Days, Let’s Go To Bed, The Walk, Push, Screw, One Hundred Years, A Forest, Sinking. First Encore: Give Me It, Boys Don’t Cry. Second Encore: You Really Got Me, I Dig You. It was over 20 years till I saw The Cure again, when Laura, David and I went to see them at Wembley Arena.
9 Jul
The Cure Newcastle City Hall 1982
The Cure Newcastle City Hall 1982
Support Zerra1
A year after seeing The Cure at the City Hall, they were back again at the same venue. The band were in their heavy goth phase, and this before they started to have serious chart success. Support came from Zerra1 who were an Irish band from the U2 mould. (Update note: I found another old Cure programme upstairs in my collection. It is probably from this tour, or another early tour, so I have added it here) 
Setlist: The Figurehead, M, In Your House, Cold, The Drowning Man, A Short Term Effect, The Hanging Garden, Siamese Twins, Other Voices, Three Imaginary Boys, Primary, One Hundred Years, Play For Today, A Forest, Pornography. Encore: 10.15 Saturday Night, Killing An Arab, All Mine.
8 Jul
The Cure Newcastle late 70s and early 80s
The Cure Newcastle late 70s and early 80s
I saw The Cure quite a few times in the early days of their career. The first time that I saw them was at the Reading Festival in 1979, when they appeared low down on the bill on the Friday night. I remember that I had read a lot about them, and I’d also had heard the single “Killing an Arab” on the radio. So I made of point of being in the arena and watching them that night. They went down prety well, and showed some promise, even at that early stage. I also saw them at a gig in Newcastle University Ballrom on a Saturday night sometime in 1980. I also saw them as support act for Siouxsie and the Banshees at Newcastle Poly. Robert Smith played two sets that night, first with The Cure and then as guitarist for The Banshees. My favourite Cure song at the time was “A Forest”, and it probably still is today. By 1981 they had graduated to playing the City Hall. 
The great Cure gig list site http://www.cure-concerts.de shows the setlist for the 1981 Newcastle gig as: The Funeral Party, M, The Drowning Man, All Cats Are Grey, Three Imaginary Boys, Primary, At Night, Fire In Cairo, Play For Today, Grinding Halt, A Forest, Faith, Jumping Someone Else’s Train, Another Journey By Train, Killing An Arab, Forever. Looking at other setlists from the same tour, indicates that the Newcastle set was comparatively short in comparison with some of the other gigs on the tour, with some shows featuring many more songs. I have a lovely little programme from those days (see scan) which is a song book, and contains the lyrics from many of their early songs. I’m not sure at which gig I bought this, but it must have been from one of their early tours. I saw The Cure twice more in the 80s, and will blog on those gigs over the next couple of days. There was then a gap of 23 years before I saw them again, at Wembley, in 2008.
Update 22 December 2021
Many thanks indeed for the lovely image of the poster for the concert which Jimmy Burns (a.k.a. Punk Hoarder) kindly sent me and has allowed me to add this to my post. It brings back great memories of a great band. I didn’t realise at the time how important the cure would become in the history of new wave, punk, goth and pop music. They really have provided millions of people with enjoyment and entertainment over the years. And their back catalogue is extensive, wide-ranging in style and lots of fun!
7 Jul
Cher Manchester Arena 1999
Cher Manchester Arena 1999
I’d always fancied seeing Cher in concert, ever since hearing her early material like “I Got You Babe”, “Bang Bang”, and “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves”; all great songs. I loved “Believe” and its crazy Auto-tune when it came out, so when she announced a UK tour, I persuaded Marie to go to the Manchester Arena gig. We bought tickets quite late, and ended up with cheap seats right up at the top of the massive arena, which Marie found quite scary. I was little annoyed because, after we had bought the tickets, Cher added a Newcastle date to the tour. However I put that aside in my mind, and we stuck with going to the Manchester gig. We got the train to Manchester and stayed overnight in a city centre hotel. 
The gig itself was impressive; the set was a mix of songs from throughout her career, and featured a lot of costume changes. Cher was offstage for a couple of songs while she got changed, and a group of dancers took centre stage. At one point a nostalgic video sequence was shown with lots of clips of Cher, some with Sonny, from the 60s. Great stuff. It was an interesting concert, very much a show as much as a gig. Setlist: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For; All or Nothing; The Power; I Found Someone; We All Sleep Alone; The Way of Love; Half-Breed; Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves; Dark Lady; Take Me Home; After All; Walking in Memphis;Just Like Jesse James; The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss); Dov’è l’amore; Strong Enough;If I Could Turn Back Time. Encore: Believe
6 Jul
Phil Collins Newcastle City Hall 1985
Phil Collins Newcastle City Hall 1985
No Jacket Required Tour 
Being a big Genesis fan, and thinking Phil’s version of Can’t Hurry Love was good fun, I was quite excited about seeing him in concert. This gig sold out quickly and was eagerly anticipated. Phil had a full band with him; as well as singing and playing piano and drums himself, the rest of the guys were known as the “Hot Tub Club” and comprised: Leland Sklar: Bass; Peter Robinson: Keyboards; Daryl Stuermer (Genesis): Guitar; Chester Thompson (Genesis): Drums; and The Phenix Horns. There was no support and quite a lengthy set from Phil and Co covering all of the hits to date. 
This gig came at the start of the tour, which took him around the world and ended with a performance, at which I was also present, at Wembley Stadium as part of the Live Aid concert. Phil was very much in a workaholic mode at this time, and popped up everywhere, famously playing at both the London and US Live Aid concerts on the same day. Last time I saw Phil was on the Genesis reunion tour at their concert at Old Trafford Manchester. Setlist for No Jacket Required Tour: I Don’t Care Anymore; Only You Know And I Know; I Cannot Believe It’s True; This Must Be Love; Against All Odds; Inside Out; Who Said I Would; If Leaving Me Is Easy; Sussudio; Against All Odds; Behind The Lines; Don’t Lose My Number; The West Side; One More Night; In The Air Tonight; Like China; You Can’t Hurry Love; It Don’t Matter To Me; Hand In Hand; Take Me Home; People Get Ready; It’s Alright; And So To F…; You Know What I Mean; Doesn’t Anybody Stay Together Anymore
5 Jul
Eric Clapton Sheffield Arena 2006
Eric Clapton Sheffield Arena 2006
Support: Robert Cray
I spent hours in the late 60s and early 70s listening to the John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (Beano) lp, marvelling at Clapton’s bluesy guitar, and trying to learn some of the licks. In particular, I practiced and practiced “Steppin’ Out”, which was Clapton signature guitar solo number in the 60s. I always dreamed of seeing him play it live. I bought a ticket for this gig a few days before on ebay, managing to score a good seat at half the face value! I drove down to Sheffield after work and arrived in time to see Robert Cray, who delivered a pretty fine set. 
Clapton was great that night, I think his playing is actually getting better as the years go by. His band was: Doyle Bramhall II – guitar; Derek Trucks – guitar; stalwart Chris Stainton – keyboards; Tim Carmon – keyboards; Willie Weeks – bass; Steve Jordan – drums; Michelle John & Sharon White – backing vocals; and The Kick Horns. The set featured an a few acoustic blues at the mid point. 
Setlist: Pretending; So Tired; Got To Get Better In A Little While; Lost and Found; I Shot the Sheriff; Anyday; Back Home; I Am Yours; Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out; Milkcow’s Calf Blues; Running On Faith; After Midnight; Little Queen of Spades; Everybody Oughta Make a Change; Motherless Children; Wonderful Tonight; Layla; Cocaine. Encore: Crossroads. John saw him in the US on this tour and sent me the US programme which is different from the UK version (thanks John). I still haven’t seen Eric play Steppin’ Out….guess there is still time.
4 Jul
Eric Clapton Newcastle Metro Radio Arena April 2004
Eric Clapton Newcastle Metro Radio Arena April 2004
Support: Robert Randolph
Over twenty years since I had last seen Clapton perform at an indoor gig, David and I went to his concert at Newcastle Arena in 2004. I’d seen EC at a couple of festivals in the interim; at the Knewborth Silver Clef show in 1990, where he shared a bill with a host of other top names, including Pink Floyd, and Paul McCartney; and in Hyde Park in 1996, which was another great bill, and included The Who and Bob Dylan. I’d lost some of my faith in EC, as I felt that some of his material in the 90s was a little middle of the road, with less blues guitar and less of the rock legend that I had previously thought of him as. However, this gig renewed by faith in Eric. I remember being quit excited at the prospect of seeing Eric close up again (we had seats quite close to the front), and David came up from Leeds where he was studying at the time, especially to see the gig. 
He had just released “Me and Mr Johnson” which was the first of two albums of covers of Robert Johnson songs that he released that year. So it seemed to me that he has rediscovered the blues, and it showed in his set that night, which featured a fair number of songs from that album, mixed with the usual classics. We both enjoyed Clapton that night, and my interest in him was reaffirmed, to the extent that I have tried to see him as many times as I am able since then. Setlist: Let It Rain; Hoochie Coochie Man; Walk Out in the Rain; Bell Bottom Blues; I Shot the Sheriff; Milkcow’s Calf Blues; When You Got a Good Friend; They’re Red Hot; Kindhearted Woman Blues; Got To Get Better In A Little While; Have You Ever Loved a Woman; Badge; Wonderful Tonight; Layla; Cocaine. Encore: Sunshine Of Your Love; Got My Mojo Working.
3 Jul
Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion Stockton Arc July 2nd 2012
Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion Stockton Arc July 2nd 2012
I couldn’t resist taking up the opportunity to see the legendary drummer Ginger Baker at Stockton Arc last night. It was the first time that I have been to the Arc, which is an arts centre venue in the centre of Stockton. Ginger’s current band consists of Pee Wee Ellis on saxophone, Pee Wee was in James Brown’s band in the 60s and is also long-time musical director for Van Morrison (aha I thought I recognised this guy), Alec Dankworth, on electric and double bass, Alec is son of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and twice named Bassist of the Year in the British Jazz Awards, and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Ginger took the stage spot on the advertised start time of 8pm. The band played two sets of jazz instrumentals. I’m not a big jazz fan, but enjoyed this gig. These guys can really play, and it shows. Great to see Ginger again.
2 Jul
The Stone Roses Heaton Park Manchester July 1st 2012
The Stone Roses Heaton Park Manchester July 1st 2012
I never saw The Stone Roses fist time round; they were around during a period where I wasn’t seeing quite as many gigs as usual, focussing on family and work. In recent years Laura has become heavily into the band, so when they announced this series of reunion gigs in their hometown we decided we should go along. Laura is singing at a friends wedding in a couple of weeks with a group of mates from university who are scattered around the country at the moment, and they were rehearsing at a studio in Wakefield on Sunday afternoon. So my first task was to drive to Wakefield, pick her up and drive across to Manchester for the gig. Picked Laura up about 5pm in Wakefield and then we drove across to Manchester, arriving at Heaton Park, around 6.30pm. We got straight into the disabled parking, and it was a short walk to the nearest entrance to the park, and then up to the disabled platform, which was at the back of the park, facing directly onto the stage. Full marks to everyone for the organisation. The place was rammed by the time we got to the platform, but we got there without any problem at all, and everyone was very helpful. Laura had brought her white cane, and everyone made room, and we got through the crowds no problem at all. The Wailers were on as we arrived, playing a selection of old Bob Marley classics. They were pretty good, but the crowd din’t seem to be taking a lot of notice of them. Next up was Plan B. His current act is a mixture of a 60s soul revue and hip hop / rap. I thought he pretty good, much better than I had expected and the crowd gave him a good reception. But everyone was there for the main event. Around 9.10pm the Supremes “Stoned Love” boomed across the PA, and then the heroes of the night took to the stage, starting with “I wanna be adored”. Not being a fan and feeling quite old; I did feel a bit like an intruder at a stranger’s party at times. This band means so much to everyone there. Everyone knew every word, and the atmosphere was just great. 
The Stone Roses played all of the first album and a few tracks from the second. John Squire was just astounding on guitar. I hadn’t realised how good he was, and how much of a guitar band The Roses were. Ian sang ok, and was in 100% control of the crowd. Mani had a smile right across his face. Reni kept the rhythm at the back. I heard lots of the 60s in the music: Jefferson AirPlane, Love, The Byrds, The Doors, The Floyd, there were all there in Squire’s guitar and in the visuals. We were chatting to a guy called Eddie on the platform, who kindly explained all the visuals (which were also impressive) to Laura. We left during the instrumental jam part of “I am the Resurrection” but could hear all of it as we walked to the car. Just as we got to the car park we saw the fireworks light up the sky. Our plan of leaving during the last song worked well; we were straight out of the car park just after 11pm, and straight onto the motorway, which was amazing. Back home at 1.15am. Have been reflecting on what I experienced last night. The vibe of the day was like no other gig I can remember. This was much much more than a concert. It was a generation celebrating their youth, and reaffirming their belief in four guys that took them on a journey which was all too brief and stopped short; and for three special nights everyone in the park were at one with those guys on the stage again. It was something special to be part of. Support acts: Justice Tonight Band, The Wailers, Plan B, The Stone Roses.
Setlist: I Wanna Be Adored; Mersey Paradise; (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister’; Sally Cinnamon; Where Angels Play; Shoot You Down; Bye Bye Badman; Ten Storey Love Song; Standing Here; Fools Gold; Something’s Burning; Waterfall; Don’t Stop; Love Spreads; Made Of Stone; This Is The One; She Bangs The Drums; Elizabeth My Dear; I Am The Resurrection.
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