Gong Alston Town Hall 11th November 2012
Laura and I went to see Gong at Alston Town Hall last night. This was the first time I have seen Gong for almost 40 years, the last time being at Newcastle City Hall in 1974. This gig was originally scheduled to take place at Newcastle Academy, but low advance ticket sakes caused the promoter to cancel the gig. Not wanting to miss out on the chance to see Gong play in the North, a group of people from Alston decided to promote the gig themselves at Alston Town Hall. 
Alston is a small town in Cumbria and it is one of the highest towns in the country, at about 1,000 feet above sea level. So this meant a drive past Hexham and up a very windy road across the moors for Laura and I. The venue was, as we expected in the centre of the town, and was small, holding 200 people. This must be one of the smallest crowds that Gong have played to in some time. The gig had been sold out for some time, everyone tickets through a facebook page, and people had come from far and wide for this special Gong show. I’d spent some time on Sunday reading through the Gong mythology with Laura, so we knew a little of the story of Planet Gong, Radio Gnome and the PotHead Pixies. The band is fronted by founder Daevid Allen who looks great, and is as crazy as ever. Sadly the other founding member Gilli Smyth is not so well at the moment so couldn’t be with the band. Daevid encouraged us to all cry Miaow for Gilli, which he assured us would make her feel much better. Gong music still sounds very weird to me, and I can’t pretend to know the songs, although I do possess a copy of Camembert Electrique. The light show was fantastic, with various characters from the Gong story flying around the backdrop. The crowd loved it; lots of dancing and crowd reaction. Many congratulations to Janet and the rest of the crowd from Alston for putting this on. I wonder what their next project is?
Posts Tagged ‘prog rock’
12 Nov
Gong Alston Town Hall 11th November 2012
11 Nov
Fleetwood Mac Glasgow Apollo Mon 4th April 1977 Rumours tour
Fleetwood Mac Glasgow Apollo 1977 Rumours tour
Support from Charlie
Fleetwood Mac returned to the UK triumphant, once again a major force in rock music following major success with the 1975 Fleetwood Mac album and 1977’s Rumours lp. This was the first time they had played the UK since Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks had joined the line up, and demand for tickets was huge. Fans were eager to see this new lineup; so far all we had seen was a clip or two on the Old Grey Whistle Test. I recall that a video of the Mac playing Rhiannon was played on TV a few times. As was often the case at the time, the tour missed out the North East of England completely. However, determined to see the new rejuvenated Fleetwood Mac, my friend Ian and I bought tickets for the Glasgow gig, which was to be held at the great Apollo theatre. By this time I had been to the Apollo a few times and was used to making the drive there and back in an evening. We arrived in time for a drink before the gig, and popped into the pub across the road from the Apollo, where we ran into John and Susan; John was studying in Edinburgh at the time. Support came from UK band Charlie, who toured a lot in the mid to late 70s and had some success in the USA. From the Charlie website: “1977: Charlie support a squabbling, stoned, but nonetheless spectacular Fleetwood Mac on their Rumours tour but the album meets with mediocre response in the UK now in the grip of punk. The band consider calling it a day.” I couldn’t have put it better, Charlie. Fleetwood Mac were truly spectacular that night. 
Rhiannon was my favourite at the time, and Steve Nicks was mesmerisingly beautiful in voice and looks; wearing her top hat and telling us of the mysterious lady in the song. Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar playing was also ace; songs like The Chain, and Go Your Own Way were just great, as was their treatment of the only “old” Fleetwood Mac song that they played that evening: Oh Well. I recall for an encore they played a song which was very different, strange, and laden with drum beats. I am sure that they introduced it as a new song which was going to feature on their new album, and think it must have been Tusk, but this doesn’t show on any published setlists from the day. A great night that I still look back on even today as one of the best gigs I have seen. Although all may not have been well within the band, they still delivered at their best; they were riding on the crest of a wave, and John and Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood were no doubt pleased to come back to the UK and get such a great reaction from the crowds. Setlist: Say You Love Me; Station Man; The Chain; Dreams; Rhiannon; Oh Daddy; Never Going Back Again; Landslide; Over My Head; Gold Dust Woman; You Make Loving Fun; I’m So Afraid; Go Your Own Way; Oh Well; World Turning; Blue Letter; Second Hand News. Encore: Tusk
5 Nov
Emerson Lake & Palmer reunion Newcastle City Hall 1992
Emerson, Lake and Palmer reformed in 1991, and returned to play at Newcastle City Hall a year later. This gig was some 20 years since I had last seen the band, and I was looking forward to seeing how they shaped up after all that time. They released a new album Black Moon in the same year, and the programme features the cover from the album. The City Hall wasn’t full for this gig, but a respectable crowd turned out to see the band. The set was a mix of songs from throughout ELP’s career, including tracks from the new album. My favourites were the Greg Lake songs: Lucky Man, Still….You Turn Me On. It was good to hear America and Rondo again, which took me back to seeing the Nice. I don’t recall whether Keith played the City Hall organ at this concert, but I suspect he will have done so. 
Setlist: Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2; Tarkus; Knife-Edge; Paper Blood; Black Moon; Close to Home; Creole Dance; From the Beginning; Still… You Turn Me On; Lucky Man; Honky Tonk Train Blues; Romeo and Juliet; Pirates; Pictures at an Exhibition. Encore: Fanfare for the Common Man; America; Rondo. My friend John saw the US leg of the tour, and picked up a signed programme, which has a different to design to mine. Since that gig I have seen little of ELP or its members. I’ve seen Greg Lake playing solo once in concert, and he is touring the UK at the moment, so I may catch another gig of his shortly. 
The only time I’ve seen Keith Emerson recently has been as part of the supporting bill for the Led Zeppelin reunion/Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert at the O2 Arena in London in 2007. Emerson opened the concert along with Chris Squire and Alan White from Yes, and Simon Kirke from Bad Company/Free. This supergroup lineup played a new arrangement of “Fanfare for the Common Man” at the O2 gig. In 2010, a one-off Emerson, Lake & Palmer reunion concert closed the High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park, London to commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary. I regret now that I didn’t go to that gig.
4 Nov
Emerson Lake & Palmer Newcastle Odeon 1972
By 1972 ELP were mega popular, and had graduated to playing two shows at Newcastle Odeon which was a larger venue than the City Hall, the venue for their previous concert in the city. I went along to the early show with a group of friends. The concert was originally set to take place on November 16th 1972. The place was packed and everyone was looking forward to the gig, but before they were due to take to the stage a message went over the PA to tell us that there were problems with the equipment and the concert would not be going ahead. We all had to leave, very disappointed; however the concert was rescheduled to take place a couple of weeks later, on 29th November 1972. 
When we did finally get to see ELP this time, the spectacle had moved up a level. Keith had his usual bank on keyboards and also had a portable keyboard which he dragged around the stage and held out to the crowd for people to play. The stage show was much bigger; I seem to recall a massive Tarkus behind the band. ELP were massively successful at this point in their career, and would go on to even greater success, particularly in America. I recall the show as being pretty wild, with the crowd going crazy for the band, and Keith playing extended solos. We were quite close to the front and had a good view. A published setlist for Hammersmith Odeon on the same tour shows the songs played as: Hoedown; Tarkus; The Endless Enigma; At The Sign of Swinging Cymbal; The Sheriff; Take a Pebble; Lucky Man; Pictures at an Exhibition; Nutrocker. They may also, I suspect, have played Rondo. This time the programme was a nice white booklet with a red bow on the cover. 
Thanks to John for sending me a scan of the programme to the right, which comes from an earlier gig at the City Hall.This looks to me like a “show souvenir” which were often sold outside the venue. These are highly collectable now, more so than the official programmes.
I’ve been searching the internet a lot for any stories of ELP in concert in the early 70s to help jog my memory, but have found very little, which I must say surprises me. ELP were a very important band, and their legacy is often forgotten. They blended classical music with rock in a way that no other band did. There were, of course, several other bands working in a similar style, The Moody Blues, Yes and Deep Purple come to mind. But none of these bands were as true to the classical nature of the music as ELP. Having said that, they were very much of their time, and of that period. I think back to that gig at the Odeon with some fondness; it was vert different to anything else that I was going to see at the time.
3 Nov
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Newcastle City Hall 1971
Emerson Lake & Palmer Newcastle City Hall 1971
Support from Michael Chapman & Spontaneous Combustion
Emerson, Lake & Palmer were pretty hot stuff in 1971. They were very popular, and just on the verge of mega success. My mate had their first eponymous album and Pictures at an Exhibition, which had been recorded at Newcastle City Hall earlier that year. We used to go round to his house and we would play both albums again and again. The music on th first album was a curious blend of the pomp classical-rock of Keith Emerson, coupled with the beautiful melodies of Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer’s drum solo Tank. I would always ask to hear Take a Pebble and Lucky Man. I’d seen Keith Emerson in concert in the Nice at Sunderland Empire, and I knew how good a showman he was, so when ELP returned to the City Hall later in 1971, I bought a ticket. 
I remember being totally blown away by ELP that night; I had a seat close to the front, which always helps. Going to concerts was still a relatively new experience for me, and I would watch every minute of each gig that I attended, studying the musicians and their onstage antics, and ELP had so many strengths to wonder at. Emerson live was a spectacle to behold in himself. Surrounded by two Hammond organs, a Moog, a grand piano, and a Lesley cabinet; Keith was the ultimate early 70s performer. He would play two organs at once, pull them about and on top of himself, stab the organ with a massive dagger, use the dagger to hold down notes, and reach into the piano and play the strings with his hand. He would also famously run up the steps at the back of the City Hall stage and play the massive pipe organ, and is recorded doing so on the Pictures album. ELP’s concert set at that time featured most of the tracks from the first album; I also think Hoedown was included, perhaps as the opener. The Nice live favourite Rondo remained in the set from Emerson’s previous band, and Nutrocker was the fun encore. Pictures also featured, with the aforementioned trip up to the City Hall organ. 
The programme I have included here is worthy of special mention. It probably doesn’t look much from the scan, bit its actually one of the best produced programmes I have in my collection. Its a small booklet with a white card cover and the band’s name embossed across the top. Inside each picture page is separated from the next by a clear plastic page which contain the text surrounding the photos. It is really a lovely item, which my description can’t possibly do justice to. Looking through it the other day, I discovered that I’d kept a flyer for support act Michael Chapman, which I have also included here. Spontaneous Combustion were first on the bill at this gig. I’ve blogged separately about both of these acts elsewhere. Michael popped up all the time in those days, as support act on a number of tours of major bands, and was a good opening act with some great songs. Spontaneous Combustion were a largely instrumental prog/psych trio, who were produced by Greg Lake. They played a great version of Sabre Dance, as I recall.
1 Nov
60s Gold Show The Sage Gateshead 31 Oct 2012
60s Gold Show The Sage Gateshead 31 Oct 2012
Steve Ellis, The Animals, P J Proby, Gerry and the Pacemakers
I’m not a big fan of 60s shows. They tend to be a bit too cabaret for me, but this line up was so strong I just couldn’t miss it. This time the 60s Gold tour featured two of my favourite artists: Steve Ellis and P J Proby. I’ve blogged about P J before and have the greatest respect for the man; his voice is astounding and he is one of the best performers I have ever seen. But tonight I was particularly looking forward to seeing Steve Ellis who I haven’t see since the 70s when he fronted Widowmaker, along with Ariel Bender. To me Steve is still the cheeky young cocky cockney mod who exploded on my TV screen on Top of the Pops and blew me away with his performance of Everlasting Love in Love Affair all those years ago.
The show was introduced by compere Ally Bally (told you these shows are cabaret) and Steve Ellis was first up, backed by The Pacemakers. Steve looks great; from where I was sitting I swear he looked no different to how he did in the 60s. He still sports some pretty sharp gear, very much the mod, and his vocals were really strong. His performance was great, but I felt he could deliver so much more. He has one of the best soul voices, and commands respect for keeping the mod flag flying. I’d love to see him do a full set, as I know he performs soul classics as well as the Love Affair hits. For me, Steve Ellis is up there with Steve Marriott, and other 60s mod legends. Setlist: Day without love; Bringing on back the good times; All or nothing (dedicated to Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane); a version of The Beatles’ Please please me which was performed as a slow ballad; Rainbow valley; Everlasting love.
Ally Bally returned to tell us some facts about 1963, such as our favourite TV show at the time was Steptoe and Son. He then introduced The Animals. I’ve seen this version of the band a few times now and they do a very respectable job of playing the old hits. The band features original drummer John Steel and keyboard player Micky Gallagher who replaced Alan Price in 1965. Singer and frontman Peter Barton has a deep voice which sounds a lot like Eric Burdon and does justice to the songs. Setlist: Baby let me take you home; It’s my life; I put a spell on you; Bring it on home to me; Don’t bring me down; Don’t let me be misunderstood; We’ve gotta get out of this place; House of the rising sun.
After the interval it was P J Proby’s turn to take the stage. P J always puts on a strong show, and tonight was no exception. He was backed by the Pacemakers, along with a sax player. Setlist: Price of love; My love; Hold me; Three steps to heaven; If I can dream; The night has a thousand eyes; Somewhere. Ally Pally then returned with more facts from 1963. Did you know that Dr Who first appeared on our TV screens during that year? Or that a new Ford Cortina would cost you £670? As I said earlier, I’d come along largely to see Steve and P J, but was pleasantly surprised by Gerry Marsden. I’ve seem him once before on a 60s show, around 20 years ago, and also enjoyed him on that occasion. He really is a total pro, and his old hits still sound good. Setlist: How do you do; I’m the one; The way you look tonight; It’s gonna be alright; The rose (the Bette Midler song); Midnight hour (sung by the bass player); I like it; Don’t let the sun catch you crying (just beautiful; a classic and one of my all time favourite songs); Shot of Rhythm and blues; Ferry cross the mersey; You’ll never walk alone (lots of crowd singing along, and arm swaying). All in all this was a good evening with some top class performers, who still know how to entertain. And Steve the mod is still a cool guy. On my way out I bought a great psych/mod repro poster from a 60s Love Affair gig, and signed by Steve for £7. Bargain!
27 Oct
Electric Light Orchestra gigs 1972 – 1976
Electric Light Orchestra gigs in the 70s
I first saw ELO at the Reading Festival in 1972. This was their first gig after the departure on Roy Wood. Roy was also on the bill with his new band Wizzard. At the time ELO were an intriguing mix of prog/psychedlia, orchestral/classical music and rock n roll. The only song I really knew was 10358 overture, which I loved at the time. I then saw them a few times at gigs in the North East. I remember one gig as part of the Harvestmobile tour, where they shared the bill with Babe Ruth and Spontaneous Combustion at Sunderland Top Rank. I also have a vague memory of seeing them play on the same bill as Status Quo in the same venue, but can’t be certain of that. ELO gigged a lot in the early 70s and started to build up a strong following. 
The set was drawn from their first album with a cover of two included. I recall them playing a great version of The Beatles Day Tripper, Jeff Lynne showing his obvious Beatles influences. I also remember Hall of the Mountain King as a stage favourite at the time. The encore would always be Roll Over Beethoven. I first was ELO at Newcastle City Hall in 1972. The gig was not particularly well attended as I recall, but the band impressed the crowd. By the time I saw them again at the City Hall in 1976, ELO had hit the charts on a few more occasions and were on the verge of greater success. By this time they also had a few albums under their belt, the programme of the time promotes the Face The Music album. 
Support came from fellow Brummies, The Steve Gibbons, who I have blogged on separately. I recall this as being a great gig, by then ELO had built up a strong set. A favourite of mine at the time was Do Ya, partly because I remembered it as the B side of The Move’s California Man. This was the last time I saw ELO; I didn’t go to any of their mega concerts with the spaceship, although one of mates did, and was hugely impressed. Whether we will ever see Jeff Lynne take ELO out on the road again, who knows. I for one would be in the queue to see them, if he ever does. Setlist from 1976: Fire on High; Poker; Nightrider; Ocean Breakup / King of the Universe; Oh No Not Susan; Bluebird Is Dead; New World Rising / Ocean Breakup Reprise; Showdown; Eldorado Overture; Can’t Get It Out of My Head; Poor Boy (The Greenwood); Illusions in G Major; Eldorado; Eldorado Finale; Violin Solo; Strange Magic; 10538 Overture / Do Ya; Evil Woman; Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. Encore: Roll Over Beethoven
20 Oct
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Fibbers York 19 Oct 2012
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Fibbers York 19 Oct 2012
Laura had expressed interest in seeing veteran psych crazy guy Arthur Brown, so last night we took a trip to York to see our hero perform in all his splendour at Fibbers Club. The current Arthur Brown show returns to the “Crazy World of” moniker and concept, and thus focusses on his early material, drawing heavily from the 1968 album of the same name. Arthur has put together a band of young musicians who authentically replicate the 60s sound, with swirling keyboards reminiscent of the late great Vincent Crane (courtesy of Lucyy Rejchrtova), and lots of fuzz and wahwah guitar (from Nona Gromniak). Jim Mortimer is on bass, and was also introduced as the musical director of Arthur’s latest project, and on drums is Samuel Walker. Arthur was accompanied at the front of stage by dancer Angel Fallon, who wore a series of bright different costumes throughout the show. We arrived around 8pm and said hello to Charlie who was doing the sound. The set was a mix of covers (Kites, Green Manalishi) and tracks from the early days (Devils Grip, Spontaneous Apple Creation, I Put a Spell on You). Quite a few of the other songs in the set sounded familiar to me, but I’m not able to put a name to them. Arthur was as manic as ever and in good spirits, having a bit chat to us all, and indulging in some crazy, silly dancing. The new show is very theatrical and Arthur and the band have obviously put a lot into creating it. It features lots of costume changes, and great dance routines between Arthur and Angel. The band took to the stage wearing quite spooky bird masks with massive beaks, which set the tone for a quite dark night. The set ended with Fire with Arthur going mad, and Angel in a splendid costume with a massive silver cape and a large crown-like hat. Arthur’s voice is really strong, with screaming very much in evidence; not bad for a guy who entered his 7oth year in 2012. The encore was a super version of The Animals’ Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood. The crowd loved it, as did Laura and I. Support act The Moulettes are worth a special mention. They were very different and quite unexpected, playing acoustic instruments: violin, cello, autoharp, bassoon; their music being a blend of folk and elizabethan. They reminded me a little of Blackmore’s night, and are certainly worth watching out for. Apologies for the grainy photo, I am really going to have to practice using my iphone camera.
19 Oct
Crossfire Hurricane The Rolling Stones movie live event 18 October 2012
Crossfire Hurricane The Rolling Stones movie live event
Cineworld Boldon
Last night was the premier of the Rolling Stones new documentary Crossfire Hurricane, and we all got the chance to be part of the event, which was screened live from the Odeon Leicester Square to 300 cinemas around the world. I attended the screening at my local Cineworld cinema at Boldon. To my surprise it wasn’t too well attended with 20 or so people in the audience. The screening started with a live simulcast (just picked up on that word) from the red carpet outside the Odeon, where we saw the four current members of the Stones arrive alongside past members Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor and celebrities such as Liam Gallagher and members of the Stones wider family such as Jerry Hall, Anita Pallenberg and Jade Jagger. There were some interesting interviews with Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman who each commented on the documentary, and some plugs for the upcoming 50th anniversary concerts in London and Newark. The documentary itself is pretty good. It focusses on the Stones at the height of their success in the 60s and 70s, with nothing at all after that period. There is lots of previously unseen footage, and for me the film highlighted a few things: how important Brian Jones was to the early band, how crazy the 60s concerts were, and just how great the Stones are as a live band and as a musical force. A nice early evening’s entertainment.
From the official press release: “The Rolling Stones are to be chronicled in a kaleidoscopic new film, Crossfire Hurricane, that documents key periods of their career and their incredible adventures. The film features historical footage, much of it widely unseen, and commentary from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and former Stones Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor, as well as rare interviews with Brian Jones. Period interviews, extensive live performance material and news archive footage will complete the documentary, which takes its title from the opening lines of “Jumping Jack Flash”.”
18 Oct
Bob Dylan Newcastle Telewest Arena 8 May 2002
David and I had great seats for this Dylan gig, in the front block and a few rows from the front. It was a real treat to have such a good view of our hero. The gig itself was ok; but my no means the best time I’ve seen Dylan in concert. Reviews afterwards were very mixed, which is often the case with Dylan concerts. Its almost as if some fans were at different concerts; its funny how different people see the same gig in so many different ways. Reviews on the Boblinks site showed both ends of the spectrum, with one guy saying “There are simply no bad Bob Dylan concerts these days.” and “Last night there were of course some songs I enjoyed more than other songs, but that does not give me the right to knock those other songs, for they still are multiple times preferable to anything else performed by any other band or artist out there.” 
Another fan declared the Newcastle gig “The Newcastle show was over, and so far Kait and I were immensely disappointed. The crowd was horrible, security was bad, Bob’s guitar solos were terrible, his harmonica was less than great, and he just wasn’t trying with his performance in general.” and “Anyway, this show was the worst Bob show I’ve seen and I’m not exaggerating: it was disappointing.” David and I enjoyed the gig, and being so close to Dylan was enough in itself. I do remember that his singing wasn’t great, and there was lots of his “up-singing”. Setlist: Wait for the Light to Shine; Song to Woody; It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding); Love Minus Zero/No Limit; Solid Rock; Just Like a Woman; Subterranean Homesick Blues; Cry a While; Mr. Tambourine Man; A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall; Tangled Up in Blue; Standing in the Doorway; Summer Days; Cold Irons Bound; Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat. Encore: Love Sick; Like a Rolling Stone; If Dogs Run Free; Honest With Me; Blowin’ in the Wind. Encore 2: Highway 61 Revisited
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