Posts Tagged ‘music’

22 Feb

Strawbs Ovington Social Club Feb 20 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Strawbs. Tagged: , , , , , .

Acoustic Strawbs Ovington Social Club Feb 20 2009

The last time I saw Strawbs was in 1976 at Newcastle City Hall;  was looking forward to seeing them again after all this time. Called of my friend Will on Friday night and we then relied on my new satnav to direct us to Ovington Social Club. The satnav didn’t let us down and took us right to the door of the club; we would have been lucky to find the place without it.

The concert room was already full when we arrived; not a seat left;  so we took a spot standing at the bar. The Strawbs soon took the stage; the acoustic line-up is Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk all of whom are long standing members. Great to see the band in such an intimate setting; they  apparently played here  last year and asked the promoter to book them again.  Dave Cousins and Dave Lambert are both in fine voice and the guitar harmonies are clear and beautfiful.  Tears and Pavan  and the Hangman and the Papist are particularly striking with Dave Cousins on great form; quite doomy melancholic songs. They finish with Lay Down and return for one encore. Will is disappointed that they don’t play Part of the Union; suspect that this is because it is a Hudson Ford song.

Great to see the Strawbs again; I’d forgotten just how good they are. I dug out my copy of the first album and started playing it again. 

website: http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/

 

ticket

ticket

 setlist:

Benedictus/Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
New World
Another Day
Midnight Sun
Oh How She Changed
The Call To Action

Ghosts
Josephine (For Better Or For Worse)
Glimpse of Heaven
The Hangman And The Papist
Shine On Silver Sun
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down

We’ll Meet Again Sometime

22 Feb

Michel Legrand and Alison Moyet Sage Gateshead

Posted by vintagerock in Alison Moyet, Michel Legrand. Tagged: , , , , .

Michel Legrand and Alison Moyet Ths Sage Gateshead Feb 18 2009

The Thomas Crown Affair is a great film and Windwills of Your Mind is one of my all time favourite songs.  This show was by Michel Legrand and his orchestra with Alison Moyet joining him for a few songs (including Windmills).  I’d read that the first half was instrumental only, with Legrand and his orchestra playing selections from some of the  many film scores which he has written in his long (he is in his late 70s) career.  Alison was due to join during the second half.  So I timed my arrival to hit the interval (I really was just going along to hear Windwills; I also had to be up at 6am the next morning to go to London for a meeting).

My timing jus about worked. I arrived just as the first half was finishing. I bought a programme and took a seat at the back upstairs (I had a cheap ticket; and upstairs was by no means full). Legrand opened the second half with a couple of instrumentals and a song which he sang himself. He then introduced Alison Moyet who sang 6 or 7 songs.  Windmills of  Your Mind was sung as a duet with Legrand; pretty good and great to see the composer playing it. I also recognised What are you doing the rest of your life, and one other which sounded familiar.  Alison left and Legrand and the orchestra played a selection from the theme to the Thomas Crown Affair, which ended the show. There was no encore.

This was quite a different type of gig for me, but I enjoyed it, and was pleased that I had made the effort. I was also pleased that the evening finished quite early (around 10pm) so I could get some sleep before my early start.

legrantic1

legrandprog1

15 Feb

Magazine London Forum

Posted by vintagerock in Magazine. Tagged: , , , , .

Magazine London Kentish Town Forum February 13th 2009

I have fond memories of seeing Magazine a few times in the late 70s and early 80s. In particular, I recall being impressed with Howard Devoto’s stage presence from a show in Redcar where he stared down at the audience from a mike stand which had a platform for him to stand on. And The Light pours down on me, and Shot by both sides are two of my favourite songs. Laura had become familiar with the band  through Morrissey who has covered a couple of their songs in the past. So we both decided we should go along and see them, and made the trip to London on a cold Friday night to see if they would live up to their legend.

The Forum is an old cinema which has been converted into a pretty nice venue. We’d opted for seats upstairs (neither of us like standing all night). The support was Ipso Facto who we’d seen before with the Last Shadow Puppets. They did a short, OK set; but everyone was waiting for the main act. After a very long intro and a short (and strange) spoken piece  from Devoto, the curtain came up; Barry Adamson and Dave Formula came on and started playing the Light Pours out of me. Howard joins them and snarls the vocals; they sound great; really tight and a clear sound.

Laura and I only know a few of the better known tracks; the rest of the crowd seem to know everything. There is one song called “Book” where Howard standards at a lecturn and reads from a big old book. Howard looks pretty good; no hair at all these days but still has the same (quite strange) stage presence. The guitarist does a great job filling the shoes of John McGeogh; he is a wearing a cool red suit and some great red winkle pickers (which look the same as mine!). The last song is Shot by both sides. The crowd goes mad downstairs, lots of people getting flung around. The last encore is  Beefheart’s I Love you Big Dummy (my friend recalls seeing them play this at their first ever gig).

After the show Laura and I push our way against the flow of the crowd to get to the merchandise stall downstairs. Laura buys her customary t-shirt.  Then its back on the tube to our Travelodge room near Kings Cross and back home in the morning. We both agreed it was a jolly good show.

Setlist:

*The Light Pours Out of Me (with epic intro)
*Model Worker (with Obama reference)
*The Honeymoon Killers (with one sassy lady from the support band)
*Because You’re Frightened
*You Never Knew Me (with the same sassy femme)
*Rhythm of Cruelty (following mention of McGeoch)
*This Poison (with sassy femme again)
*A Song from Under the Floorboards
*Permafrost
*The Book
*Twenty Years Ago/Definitive Gaze (a seemless medley)
*Parade
*Shot By Both Sides
ENCORE:
*Thank You (fallentime…)
*Motorcade
2nd encore:
*I Love You Big Dummy

magazinelogo

ticket

ticket

25 Jan

Richard Thompson Gateshead January 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Richard Thompson. Tagged: , , , , .

Richard Thompson The Sage Gateshead January 23rd 2009

1000 years of Popular Music

richardt

Richard Thompson is another act that I felt I should catch up on. I think the last time I saw him he was with his (then) wife Linda and they were supporting Traffic at Newcastle City Hall.

For this tour Richard is performing his own review of 1000 years of popular music, accompanied by Judith Owen and Debra Donkin who provide (excellent) vocals, percussion and keyboards. The set was divided into two halves. In the first half Richard concentrated on old traditional songs, with a selection of folk music, a carol, and Elizabethan songs. After the interval he moved to 20th  century music. This set covered some of my favourite songs: Cry me a river (sung wonderfully by one of the ladies); See my Friends (always one of my favourite Kinks songs); Friday on my Mind (again a great song) and couple of old rock n roll tunes (Drinking wine spo dee o dee). All of these were performed in Richard’s own style with some great guitar work. The encore included a Beatles medley with I want to hold your hand and a couple of other early mersey beat type songs. A good selection of songs, and well performed. An interesting evening.

ticket

ticket

 http://www.richardthompson-music.com/

25 Jan

Buzzcocks Newcastle 18 Jan 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Buzzcocks. Tagged: , , , , , .

The Buzzcocks Newcastle Academy 18 Jan 2009

Laura and I decided to go along and see the Buzzcocks at the Academy last Sunday. I hadn’t seen them since their heyday in the late 70s; Laura had heard a few of their well-known songs on the radio and on punk compilations. The gig promised to be good; on this tour the Buzzcocks are playing their first two albums in their entirety alongside all their hits.

The Academy was pretty full downstairs; the balcony was not open for this gig. The crowd were quite mixed, a lot of them were old punks who were sporting Stiff Little Fingers, Damned and Exploited t-shirts. The support act was the Lurkers; another old name from the 70s. We arrived just as the Lurkers took the stage; they were pretty Ok actually; Laura recognised a couple of the songs, and I recalled seeing them in the late 70s in Sunderland at Finos (or was it Lees Club in those days?).

The Buzzcocks came on to a great roar from the crowd and launch straight Fast Cars the first track on their first album. What follows is a set of classic punk pop songs. I’d forgotten just how good they were. Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle still look and sound great and the crowd are well into it right from the start. All the favourites are played : I don’t mind; Ever fallen in love, Promises, What do I get and some I’d forgotten: Fiction Romance, Nostalgia.

Laura counted 23 songs in 2 hours. Great. It doesn’t come much better than this, and gets us both in the mood for the Magazine reunion show, which we will be seeing at the London Forum in a few weeks time.

http://www.buzzcocks.com

http://www.thelurkers.co.uk/

ticket

ticket

29 Dec

The Who O2 Indigo December 14th 2008

Posted by vintagerock in The Who. Tagged: , , , .

The Who O2 Indigo December 14th 2008

The O2 Indigo is a small, 2000 capacity, venue within the O2 complex. The Who were playing three Christmas shows at the venue; the first two for fan club members only, and the third show for the public. I joined the fanclub specially to get tickets for the show, it seemed a great chance to see the band up close in a small venue.

I’d been suffering all week with a terrible dose of flu, and almost didn’t go to the gig. But I figured that I would regret it later if I missed it so I wrapped myself up well and took the long train journey down to London on the Sunday afternoon. As it turned out I am glad that I did make the effort.  I arrived into London around 4pm, went to my Travelodge room in Kings Cross and than headed across to the O2 around 7pm. The queue for entry to the Indigo was outside curling around the block. The security for getting into the show was quite tight courtesy of Harvey Goldsmith; I had to take along my passport, credit card and booking reference to gain entry.

Got into the gig without any problem after around an hour wait in the cold, and the support act Kinkade were already on stage. They seemed pretty good, obviously influenced by the Kinks, Who, Small Faces. The Indigo is a nice little night-club like venue, and wasn’t too full so I took a place in the crowd near the front at the right of the stage, where Townshend stands. 

After a short break, the Who take the stage without any introductions and launch straight into I Can’t Explain. The set is a mixture of old classics, and includes a couple of surprises: Tattoo for one; don’t think I’ve seen them play that for some time. The Who are on great form tonight, lots of windmill arm twirling from Pete, lots of mike swinging from Roger. Roger’s voice is very strong; sounds much better than the last couple of times I have seen them, and Pete is playing great, really bashing at his guitar. Pete is in a cheeky mood tonight; lots of chat with the crowd; quite a bit of swearing. The guy in front of me is shouting for A Quick One all night; Pete says he could play that on his own! Someone shouts for Bellboy; Pete replies “Keith is F***ing dead; we can’t play that; do you want us to bring him back; wish we could”. They finish with Won’t get fooled again and My Generation. The encores are Pinball Wizard and a Tommy selection, finishing with Tea and Theatre from the recent album.

After the show I cram on to a crowded tube full of Coldplay fans (they were playing in the main O2 arena at the same time: mental note to myself : I must not go to see Coldplay again) and make my way back to Kings Cross. Then up at 6.30 to catch the 7.30 train back home. Was it worth it? Definitely; great to see them again; one of the best times I’ve seen them recently although not the same as seeing them in the 70s. Guess it never will be the same, but its still the Who and they can still rock like no-one else on a good night.

Setlist:

I Can’t Explain
The Seeker
Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
Fragments
Who Are You
Tattoo
Sister Disco
Behind Blue Eyes
Baba O’Reilly
Eminence Front
5:15
Love Reign O’er Me
Won’t Get Fooled Again
My Generation/Cry If You Want
Naked Eye

Encores:
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey
Sparks
See Me Feel Me
Tea & Theatre

website: http://www.thewho.com

 

ticket for the gig

ticket for the gig

programme

programme

23 Nov

Uriah Heep Holmfirth Picturedrome Nov 21 2008

Posted by vintagerock in Uriah Heep. Tagged: , , , , .

Uriah Heep Holmfirth Picturedrome November 21 2008

Friday; finish work early; call for my friend Norm and go to see Uriah Heep! What a great start to the weekend. I’d got a couple to tickets cheap on ebay and was really looking forward to seeing Heep again. Uriah Heep were one of the bands that I followed from the early 70s to early 80s and then lost touch with. I went to see them in Carlisle a few years ago and realised that were still on great form. Norm hadn’t seen them since the 70s and had memories of the crush at the front of the City Hall when they played Gypsy and a Rock n Roll medley.

The roads were busy for the drive to Holmfirth but luckily the threatened snow didn’t arrive. We got down there for about 8pm, had some chips from the fish shop and a drink in a pub over the road, and then went into the venue. The Picturedrome was pretty packed, much more full than for Curved Air a couple of weeks ago. We caught the end of the support act Maccara who were OK and then took our places near the front for Heep to arrive.

Around 9pm and Uriah Heep take the stage and go straight into Wake the Sleeper the title track from the new album. The sound is clear and loud (but not deafening; which is a pity; the crush at the City Hall was always accompanied by ringing ears for a few days). The set consists of the entire new album plus old favourites Sunrise, Stealin’, July Morning; Look at Yourself; Gypsy and Easy Livin’. The crowd sing along to just about every song including the new ones. The encore is Lady in Black which seems to be a big favourite now, although I can’t remember it being played much in the 70s ; there again I could be wrong. Uriah Heep are one of the few bands from the 60s and 70s who are still out there and playing as well as ever, if not better in some ways. Great to see them again.

Setlist
Wake The Sleeper
Overload
Tears Of The World
Stealin’
Sunrise
Heaven’s Rain
Book Of Lies
Light Of A Thousand Stars
Gypsy
Look At Yourself
What Kind Of God
Ghost Of The Ocean
War Child
Shadow
Angels Walk With You
July Morning
Easy Livin’
Encore:
Lady In Black

ticket

ticket

programme

programme

Website: http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/index.php

23 Nov

Paul Weller Newcastle 16 November

Posted by vintagerock in Paul Weller. Tagged: , , , , , .

Paul Weller Newcastle Metro Radio Arena November 15 2009

I bought myself a single standing ticket to see Paul Weller. I guess I decided it was about time I forgave him for the Style Council and went to see him again. I saw the Jam probably every time they came to the North East (around 12 times I think) and did the same for the Style Council, but sort of lost my faith in the mid-80s. So I hadn’t seen Weller for more than 20 years. Laura decided she would like to come, and a search on ebay got us a second standing ticket at less than face value.

Arrived in time to buy a programme; no extra small t-shirts for Laura for this one; her wardbrobe will have to survie without a Weller shirt for now. Support came from the Rifles; the arena was pretty empty at this point. They seemed OK; clearly influenced by the Jam.   We found a couple of empty seats in the first block to the right of the stage. The place filled up ready for Weller to arrive.

Don’t know why I stayed away so long. As soon as he took the stage it was clear that Weller was well into it, strutting around ; his mannerisms sooo reminiscent of Steve Marriot (does he practice copying them from old Small Faces videos?).  I didn’t know that many of the songs but they all sounded familiar; bits of Small Faces, Traffic and 60s Hammondish organ. Great! Great to see him play Butterfly Collector and Thats Entertainment. The encore included a version of the Beatles All You Need is Love and then Town Called Malice (the crowd is going nuts at this point) is the very last number. So Laura and I both enjoyed it; and I promise that I’ll return to the faith and start going to see Weller each time he comes from now on.

Set List: Peacock suit; Out of the sinking; 22 dreams; Changing man; Wild blue yonder; All I wanna do; From the floorboards up; Seaspray; Shout to the top; Eton rifles; Picking up sticks; Wishing on a star; Have you made up your mind; Push it along; You do something to me; One bright star; Empty ring; 111; Why walk; Butterfly collector; Brand new start; wild wood; Thats entertainment; Echoes round the sun; Come on lets go; first encore: Whirlpool, All you need is love: second encore: Town Called Malice.

ticket

ticket

programme

programme

website: http://www.paulweller.com/

5 Nov

Queen and Paul Rodgers Newcastle

Posted by vintagerock in Paul Rodgers, Queen. Tagged: , , , , .

Queen and Paul Rodgers Newcastle Arena November 4th 2008

Almost didn’t go to this. I saw Queen and Paul Rodgers on their previous visit to Newcastle; thought they were OK, but wasn’t sure that I wanted to go again. However, as an old Queen, Free and Bad Company fan I felt I should go along and support them. Glad I did. The set has changed a little since the last tour; however the mix between Queen and Paul Rodgers material and the way in which the show involves all members with video of Freddie is still excellent. You have to give if to them; they have managed to pull off what many thought the impossible, to go out with a new front man and make it work. All credit to Paul Rodgers for the way in which he has approached this. The show is slick, still relevant and a great tribute to Freddie’s legacy.

The Arena was full, and the crowd reaction strong. I was pleased I decided to go along but I did leave during the encores, as I had to be up at 6am for an early train. Will I go next time? Maybe. Will there be a next time?

Set list:

Intro (Cosmos Rocks)
Hammer To Fall
Tie Your Mother Down
Fat Bottomed Girls
Another One Bites The Dust
I Want It All
I Want To Break Free
C-lebrity
Surfs Up…Schools Out
Seagull
Tavszi Szel
Love Of My Life
’39
Bass Solo incl Under Pressure/Another One Bites The Dust
Drum Solo
I’m In Love With My Car
A Kind Of Magic
Say It’s Not True
Bad Company We Believe
Bijou
Last Horizon
Radio GAGA
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
The Show Must Go On
Bohemian Rhapsody
Encores:
Cosmos Rockin’
All Right Now
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions
God Save The Queen

my ticket

my ticket

queenprog

2 Nov

Curved Air Holmfirth Picturedrome

Posted by vintagerock in Curved Air. Tagged: , , , , .

Curved Air Holmfirth The Picturedrome October 30 2008

Must have seen Curved Air around 10 times in the 70s. They seemed to play all the local dances; seem to recall seeing them at Sunderland Poly, Newcastle Poly, Durham Uni, Teesside Poly as well as Newcastle Mayfair, Sunderland Locarno, the City Hall, the Reading Festival. So when I saw that they had reformed I promised myself that I would go and see them. The nearest date meant a 120 mile drive to the little Yorkshire village of Holmfirth on a freezing cold winter night but, I convinced myself that it would be worth it.

The reformed line up comprises three original members: Sonja Kristina, Darrel Way and Florian Pilkington Miksa. Support came from Claire Hammil, another name from the past. Claire was close to the end of her set when I arrived (Holmfirth isn’t easy to find; must buy a sat nav). The Picturedrome is a lovely old cinema set right in the centre of Holmfirth. The place was respectably full, not packed,  I easily made my way to the front of the stage ready for the band coming on.

They started with an instrumental piece with Darrel Way leading on his violin. He then introduced Sonja who bounced on and straight into It Happened Today, which was great! The set included all the favourites that I wanted to hear: Melinda (more or less); Marie Antoinette; Stretch; Midnight Wire and (of course) Back Street Luv. Sonja left the stage and they finished with Vivaldi, which sounded just as good as it did in the field at Reading 36 years ago. For the encore they came back and gave us Back Street Luv again. Pretty awesome. Drove back up the A1 through sleet with the sound of Sonja’s voice and Darrel’s violin still in my mind.

website : http://www.curvedair.com/

Someone has loaded some great clips from the gig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KynuCpJj4I

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