Posts Tagged ‘music’
12
Dec
Posted by vintagerock in Uriah Heep. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Uriah Heep Newcastle Academy Dec 12th 2011
Just got back. My ears are still ringing. Heep were LOUD, and on great form. Mick Box’s shape throwing is getting more bizarre. More later. Off to bed now.
I can’t remember the last time that Uriah Heep played in Newcastle but I’m pretty sure that it was a long time ago. It was great to see them returning here; the north east was always a stronghold for heavy rock in general, and for Uriah Heep in particular. I remember very well attending some great shows at the City Hall during the David Byron and John Lawton eras of the band. All of that is so so long ago; and looking around at the audience in the Academy, I would bet that many of the crowd were also present on those wonderful nights in the 70s.
I arrived just before the band took to the stage. The respectably sized crowd gave the band a warm reception; you could sense that people had been waiting a long time to see these guys again. The set was pretty similar to the one that I saw them play at Workington earlier in the year; with the addition of a few songs from the new album Into the Wild, replacing songs from their last album Wake the Sleeper. All the classics are still in the set: Gypsy, Julie Morning, Return to Fantasy, Stealin’, and Woman in Black. The encore was Bird of Prey (I haven’t seen them play that for some time) and Easy Livin ‘. The only favourite that was (for me) missing was Sunrise. A new addition to the show was getting some of the crowd up onstage to rock with the band on one of the songs.
I was stood right at the front near the speakers and it was LOUD. These guys are true professionals, and always deliver. This was no different, they were really great. I hope they don’t leave it as long next time. The band seemed to enjoy the show and the crowd reaction, so maybe we will see them back in the north east on their next tour.
Setlist: I’m Ready; Return to Fantasy; Stealin’; Rainbow Demon; Money Talk; Nail on the Head; The Wizard; Into the Wild; Gypsy; Look At Yourself; July Morning; Lady In Black
Encore: Free ‘n’ Easy; Bird of Prey; Easy Livin’
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27
Nov
Posted by vintagerock in Cheap Trick, Deep Purple. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gigs, heavy metal, music, pop, prog rock, punk, R&B, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Deep Purple (with 38 piece orchestra) and Cheap Trick Glasgow SECC 26 Nov 2011
Norm and I drove up for this great gig last night. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Deep Purple. They haven’t visited the north east on the last couple of tours, and for one reason or another I wasn’t able to travel to see them. This tour was however especially tempting with the double attraction of Cheap Trick as special guest, and the 38 piece orchestra which was accompanying Deep Purple. I waited until the last minute to decide whether or not to go, however, because I was little unsure about the weather at this time of year. As the weather was ok we decided to go.
We arrived at the SECC at around 6.30pm, and managed to score a couple of tickets from a guy outside of the venue for £60 for a pair, which was a snip as face value would have been £90, plus the dreaded booking fees. The seats were pretty good too,l in the centre block about 12 rows back.
It’s a long time since we last saw Cheap Trick at Newcastle Mayfair in the 70s. I’d forgotten just how good there are and how many great catchy tunes they have. Rick Nielson is still as crazy as ever and Robin Zander still looks great. They were on stage around one hour and the set included: Stop This Game (Mind Choir): Dream Police; Need Your Love; California Man (The Move song); If You Want My Love; I Want You to Want Me; Surrender; Good Night. I managed to get one of the many plectrums that Rick threw out into the crowd. Rick’s vibe neck guitar looks pretty cool.
I hadn’t been sure about how the big orchestra would work alongside Deep Purple’s rock classics. I needn’t have worried; it was absolutely great. Great set, some long solos but the two hours that they were on stage seemed to pass in no time at all. They started with Highway Star, and the set include some of my favourites: Lazy, Strange Kind of Woman, When a Blind Man Cries, Woman from Tokyo. They finished with Smoke on the Water, and the encores were Hush, and Black Night. Ian Gillan looks really fit, and he was singing well although he clearly finds it difficult to get some of the high notes and can’t scream like he used to. Roger Glover always looks like he is having great fun. Don Airey seems to fit perfectly with the others now, and played excellently. Its good to see a local Sunderland lad doing so well. In fact all of the band seemed to be really enjoying themselves. It was great to see them again, and the classics sounded fresh, with the orchestra adding new depth to the arrangements. This was the best time I’ve see them play for many many years. Great stuff.
The drive back was pretty tricky but uneventful, through torrential rain and high winds. We got home around 2.15am.
Deep Purple setlist: Highway Star; Hard Lovin’ Man; Maybe I’m a Leo; Strange Kind of Woman; Rapture of the Deep;Woman From Tokyo; Contact Lost (Guitar Solo); When a Blind Man Cries; The Well Dressed Guitar; Knocking at Your Back Door; Lazy; No One Came; Perfect Strangers; Space Truckin’; Smoke on the Water
Encores: Hush; Black Night
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Rick Neilson plectrum (thanks Rick)
16
Nov
Posted by vintagerock in Frank Zappa, Zappa plays Zappa. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, R&B, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Zappa plays Zappa Sage Gateshead 18 November 2011
Went to see Dweezil play his dad’s work Apostrophe on Friday at the Sage with my mate Norman. The musicianship was as it always is; faultless. Dweezil is a credit to his old man, and his guitar playing just gets better and better. This time we had the added bonus of Frank himself on video on a couple of tracks. This was very well done, with Dweezil playing alongside his dad. This time we got the Apostrophe album in it’s entirity. I’m not that familiar with that particular album, but do know a few of the tracks. The only request I would have would be for Dweezil and co to play a few more older tracks from the Mothers and Hot Rats days. Last night we got Gumbo Vatiatiosn which was good and Ugliest part of the body. A couple more from We’re only in it for the money, Uncle Meat or Freak Out would be great. Also the set is quite a long one, and for me an interval would be welcome.
Setlist: Gumbo Variations; Yellow Snow; Nanook Rubs It; St Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast; Father ‘Oblivion; Cosmik Debris; Exentrifugal Forz; Apostrophe; Uncle Remus; Stinkfoot; What’s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?; Chungas revenge; City Of Tiny Lites; Inca Roads; People; Fifty Fifty; Cheepnis; Honey Don’t You Want A Man Like Me; Rollo
Encore: Dancin’ Fool; Baby Snakes; Muffin Man
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9
Nov
Posted by vintagerock in Yes. Tagged: concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, R&B, rock, rock n roll. 1 comment
Yes Manchester Apollo November 13th 2011
This rounded off a week of old memories, travelling and reflecting on the past. After seeing Roy Harper at his 70th birthday concert in London last week, I went to see Yes on Sunday in Manchester.
The first concert I ever went to was The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at the Sunderland Empire in 1969. The support acts were Roy Harper and Yes. It’s funny how things keep coming around. The only member of Yes that was there with me all those years ago in the Empire is bassist Chris Squire; but some of the other guys have been there for many years! The Yes set in those days consisted of songs from the first couple of albums: Then, Time and a Word, Sweet Dreams, No Opportunity Necessary, Somethings Coming. I can picture myself now, a wide eyed kid sitting in the front row; totally mesmerised by the shiny, jazzy new sound of this band, with Jon Anderson’s vocals ringing in my ears, and Chris Squire’s bass thudding into my chest. In that moment I knew rock music was so important to me, and that I had to continue going to concerts, and I have done so ever since. I followed Yes through the 70s and saw them several times at Newcastle City Hall, and festival appearances at Reading and Stoke City Ground. I experienced (endured?) the Topographic Oceans tour and was confused by the Buggles Drama tour.
This time round the line up is Chris Squire bass, Steve Howe guitar, Alan White drums, ex-Buggles and Drama-era Yes Geoff Downes keyboards, and the (newish) vocalist Benoît David. So much has changed since those late 60s days, and yet in some ways nothing has changed at all. Yes are still playing wonderful music.
I arrived at Manchester Apollo around 7.15pm. There was no support act, Yes were onstage shortly after 8pm and played a reasonably long (two hours or so) set.
Yes were truly excellent. They are playing as well as they did in the 70s. Benoit has really fitted in and it is starting to feel right to see him there singing those great songs. His voice is very strong, and I got the feeling that the crowd has now accepted him as a full member of the Yes team.
It was nice to see Alan White introduce his 88 year old mum who was in the crowd last night. For me the stand outs were the opener Yours is No Disgrace, And You and I, Heart of the Sunrise (which brought Chris Squire to the front of the stage for the bass lines), Starship Trooper and the encore Roundabout. Wonderful. Mental note to myself: I must go to every Yes tour from now on; no excuses. They are just too good to miss.
Setlist: Yours Is No Disgrace; Tempus Fugit; I’ve Seen All Good People / Your Move; Life on a Film Set; And You and I; Solitaire / To Be Over (Steve Howe solo acoustic); Fly From Here; Wonderous Stories; Into the Storm; Heart of the Sunrise; Starship Trooper
Encore: Roundabout
I still hate e-tickets
7
Nov
Posted by vintagerock in Chip Hawkes, Gerry Marsden, The Fortunes, The Searchers, The Tremeloes. Tagged: 60s, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, R&B, rock, rock n roll. 1 comment
60s Gold tour The Sage Gateshead November 8th 2011
I can’t resist classic 60s bands. This show featured Gerry Marsden, The Searchers, The Fortunes and Chip Hawkes.
I’d bought two cheap tickets up in the gallery looking down onto the stage some time ago for this show. When it came to the night of the concert and after a very hectic day at work, I was feeling knackered and was in two minds whether to go. I guess I was also still feeling tired from the weekend in London seeing Roy Harper. However David said he’d come along with me so off we went to the Sage. My prime reason for buying the tickets was to see The Fortunes, as I’ve seen the other bands on the bill. When we arrived The Fortunes were on stage. They performed a pretty slick set of their hits such as You’ve Got Your Troubles and Storm in Teacup. The band has being touring consistently since the 60s, the line-up having changed along the way, with the last of the original band, Rod Allen, sadly passing away in 2008. Our compere (yes this was a proper 60s show) then introduced The Searchers. I’ve seen The Searcher on a number of occasions, the last being around 10 years or so ago. They always put on a professional show, and this was no exception with the hits Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away and What Have They Done to the Rain still sounding great. Guitarist John McNally was 70 this year and singer Frank Allen can’t be far behind him (is everyone I go to see now 70?) yet they still clearly enjoy playing and show no sign of slowing down.
David and I were both tired and beat a retreat home during the interval (sorry Gerry and Chip…will catch you next time).
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programme (its very black and gold and didn't scan well.....)
5
Nov
Posted by vintagerock in Jimmy Page, Roy Harper. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, rock, rock n roll. 4 comments
Roy Harper Royal Festival Hall London 5 Nov 2011
Roy summed it up well as a wonderful emotional evening. He explained to us that at times the emotion was almost too much for him and he almost broke down at a couple of points in the evening. Thats the sort of evening it was. A coming together of a group of people, who had travelled from across England and further including the USA and other parts of the world, all wishing to share in a celebration of the life and work to date of a unique and special individual. Yes we were all there to hear some songs, but and perhaps more importantly, we were there because Roy has shared our life journeys with us, as we have shared his, and he means something to all of us. The little stories, the Roy philosophy, the passion, the love songs and the unique interactions with the audience are all part of the Roy that we had come to see. And when we all spontaneously sang Happy Birthday for him it felt right, even if Roy himself admitted that he “hated it when people did that to him”.
As we entered the hall we we all given a typed sheet of A4. On one side Roy explained how he had adopted November 5th as his official birthday, how he was looking forward to the evening; the message was positive, of someone who was very much looking to the future as much as back. On the other side of the page was his favourite poem “To Autumn” by Keats: “I first read this poem when I was ten. It had an enormous effect on me. I found myself. I became a poet in that moment”.
The concert opened with a few songs by an American guy called John (I must look him up) which set the tone for the evening. After around 30 minutes John left the stage for Roy, who introduced Highway Blues as a road song. He was soon joined by a small string and brass section, which he christened
the Bedford Strings, after the late David Bedford who would have been joining him for the concert. Roy talked movingly about the recent passing of his friends David and Bert Jansch. His son Nick joined him for Me and my Woman, which was the last song in the first set.
After a short interval the concert resumed. The string section added another dimension to the songs. I haven’t heard such a full sound at a Roy concert since the 70s when he toured with a band, or the wonderful concert that Will and I went to in Hyde Park all those years ago. Roy’s voice was amazingly strong and filled the hall. The interactions with the crowd were, as always, amusing with the usual hecklers haranguing him, and being dealt with in the usual Roy way. He sang the songs we expected : I hate the White man, when an old cricketer leaves the crease. For Another Day he was joined by Joanna Newsom who sang in her Kate Bush like way. And for the encore his old friend Jimmy Page accompanied him and showed he can still play guitar in a way that others can only dream of.
But the evening was Roy’s and ours. At the end he told us that he would see us again and that he wasn’t ready to leave this yet.
David and I walked back through London to our hotel, the evening was warm.
Looking forward to the next time Roy. Thanks for a great evening. Hope to see you soon.
Setlist: Highway Blues; Frozen Moment; North Country Girl; I’ll See You Again (with Nick Harper); Me And My Woman (with Nick Harper); interval; Hallucinating Light; Commune; Twelve Hours Of Sunset; I Hate The White Man (two verses); Another Day (with Joanna Newsom); When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease
Encores: The Same Old Rock (with Jimmy Page);The Green Man
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Note. The first concert I ever went to was The Bonzo Dog doo dah band at the Sunderland Empire in 1969. The support acts were Roy Harper and Yes. As it happens I am planning to go and see Yes next Sunday in Manchester Apollo. It’s funny how things keep coming around.
Prior to the concert we had a walk down to St. Pauls to see the protest community, which was fascinating. Walked past Smithfield Market where they are setting up for filming part of the new James Bond movie. Lots of extras waiting around but not much going on.
30
Oct
Posted by vintagerock in Albert Lee, Bill Wyman's Rhythm KIngs, Georgie Fame, Mary Wilson, Rolling Stones, The Supremes. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, R&B, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings with special guest Mary Wilson from the Supremes
The Sage Gateshead 29 Oct 2011
Will and I went to see Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings at the Sage last night. We were upstairs in the cheap seats looking down directly onto the stage; its quite high up there, but you still have a great view. It was my first experience of the Rhythm Kings; the last time I saw Bill Wyman was with the Rolling Stones. Bill’s current band consists of, among others, jazz/r&b/pop stalwart Georgie Fame and veteran ace country-rock guitar picker Albert Lee. For this tour they are joined by Mary Wilson of the Supremes. These are all truly experienced pros, and they delivered what you would expect, an evening of polished, well-played classics.
The set was split into two, and Mary Wilson joined the band for a few songs in each set. The evening started with a laid back Bill Wyman strolling onto the stage and introducing the band one by one. Then they were straight into a collection of r&b, blues, rock n roll and skiffle. The songs were classics including tracks by the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, the Coasters, Lonnie Donegan, Howling Wolf, and Chuck Berry. Will and I were expecting some songs made famous by the band members, perhaps in a similar manner to the way in which Ringo Starr’s band operates, but that was not to be. So no Bonnie and Clyde or Yeh Yeh from Georgie Fame, and no Country Boy from Albert Lee. This was a Rhythm Kings show and what we got was an evening of great rhythm and blues.
Mary Wilson treated us to some Supremes and Motown (Baby Love, Can’t Hurry Love, Stop in the Name of Love, and Dancing in the Streets). She looks great; in fact they all do (she is 67, and Bill is 75!). Other stand outs were Three Cool Cats, Stormy Weather (a duet by Mary and Georgie) and Its a Mans World (sung by vocalist Beverley Skeete). The last song was Honky Tonk Women sung (quite well) by Bill. Great stuff. Will and I both enjoyed it; perhaps the old ones are still the best. Next week I go to see Roy Harper at his 70th Birthday concert at the Royal Festival Hall; everyone I go to see now is getting pretty old….(and so am I…)
Bill Wyman website
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22
Oct
Posted by vintagerock in Wishbone Ash. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, R&B, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Wishbone Ash Newcastle Academy 22 Oct 2011
Will and I had a good 70s rock night last night seeing Wishbone Ash at Newcastle Academy. Saturday gigs at the Academy are early affairs, as Saturday night is club night and as a result gigs have to be be finished by around 10pm so that the place can be cleared for the clubbers. So we got to the venue quite early, just before 8pm, which was well-timed as the band came on shortly after. Andy Powell seemed in a particularly good mood, and treated us to some great twin guitar with new guitarist Muddy. Andy thanked us all for coming out to see the band, and recalled the great nights that we all had at the City Hall in the 70s. Judging by the cheer this got, and the age of some of the crowd, quite a few people could remember those days. The set was a mix of old and new, and the old favourites were played as well as I heard them for a long time. Stand outs were The King will come, The Pilgrim, a great version of Phoenix and Jailbait. The curfew meant that that the encore was limited to one song, Blowin’ Free as expected.
Setlist (something like): Real guitars have wings; You see red; Open road; Cant go it alone; Invisible thread; The king will come; Sometime world; Persephone; Front page news; Faith hope and love; The pilgrim; Reason to believe; Jailbait; Phoenix
Encore: Blowin free
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16
Oct
Posted by vintagerock in The Specials. Tagged: concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, prog rock, R&B, rock, rock n roll, ska. Leave a comment
The Specials Hull Arena 16 Oct 2011
I was looking forward to this. I haven’t seen The Specials since the early 80s! Hull arena is an ice rink down close to the docks. Last night it was full of 40 something rude boys and girls who had turned out to see their heroes. And they didn’t let us down. Everyone was up for dancing, and dance they did! The band came out to a video montage which took us through the years since The Specials last graced our stages. This started with Thatcher, And took us though the death of Diana, the Blair years, the millennium and on to the recent riots and Cameron. Pretty political stuff, but then The Specials always did mix politics with the music. Then it was into Gangsters and the place erupted. This took me back a good few years, i’d forgotten just how powerful they were. The set was long, which seemed to pass in a flash” stand outs for me were Rat Race, Too Much Too Young, Enjoy Yourself and first encore Ghost Town. Great stuff from a live band who on a good night like this can’t be matched. Then it was back into the car off to York, round the ring road and back up home through Middlesbrough. I was home around 1am.
Setlist: (have probably missed a few) Gangsters; Do the Dog; New Era; It’s Up to You; Monkey Man; Blank Expression; Too Hot; Doesn’t Make It Alright; Rat Race; Hey Little Rich Girl; Stupid Marriage; Concrete Jungle; International Jet Set; Friday Night, Saturday Morning; Do Nothing; Stereotype; Man At C&A; Pearl’s Cafe; A Message to You Rudy; Nite Klub; Too Much Too Young; Enjoy Yourself
Encore: Ghost Town
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9
Oct
Posted by vintagerock in Crosby and Nash. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, folk, gig, gigs, music, pop, R&B, rock, rock n roll. Leave a comment
Crosby and Nash Sage Gateshead 9 Oct 2011
A great show, exquisite vocals, lovely harmonies and some excellent and loud rock guitar from a pair of legends. A long set with all the favourites: Eight Miles High, Wooden Ships, Our House, Marrakesh Express, Military Madness. Plus the Hollies’ Bus Stop which is one of my all time favourites songs. The encore was Teach Your Children. A great end to a great weekend, Dylan and Crosby and Nash in two days can’t be bad!
Setlist: Eight Miles High; I Used to Be a King; Long Time Gone; Marrakesh Express; Lay Me Down; Old Soldier; Just A Song Before I Go; Slice Of Time; Don’t Dig Here; Critical Mass; Wind On The Water; Almost Cut My Hair; Bus Stop; Our House; Guinnevere; In Your Name; Homeward Through the Haze; What Are Their Names?; They Want It All; Taken at All; Orleans; Cathedral; Deja Vu; Military Madness; Wooden Ships
Encore: Teach Your Children
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