The Brothers Johnson Newcastle Poly 30 September 1977
A few of my friends were heavily into disco and funk in the mid to late 70s. Not being one to frequent the dance floors myself, I never quite got into that particular genre of music. However Marie and I regularly went to the Friday night dances at Newcastle Poly around that period, and saw many great bands there such as The Clash, The Damned, Taking Heads and others. So we were there when The Brothers Johnson played, along with some friends who had come specially to see them. This was the first night of their first UK tour, and by this time they had reached almost legendary status as a result of their work with Bobby Womack, Billy Preston and Quincy Jones. I remember that they arrived very late for the gig. They had flown in via London, I think, and had been delayed. However they did arrive and play a shortened set, which went down with a packed crowd which was a mix of the usual Friday night students, and soul and disco aficionados who had come especially for the occasion.
Posts Tagged ‘soul’
23 May
The Brothers Johnson Newcastle Poly 30 September 1977
11 May
The Bureau Information Tour 1981
The Bureau Information Tour 1981
I’ve been reflecting on Dexy’s this week and renewed by acquaintance with the band on Monday when I saw them play in Whitley Bay. That also made me think to this gig, by the Bureau, which I attended in 1981. The Bureau were a Dexy’s spin off band, and consisted of most of the members, apart from Kevin Rowland. “We split from Dexy’s Midnight Runners because the musical ideas we always stood for just turned into posturing”. They also featured Archie Brown on vocals (from the Upset who had supported Dexy’s on an early tour) and Mick Talbot (who is now in Dexy’s; this is confusing) or organ. I recall little of this gig; in fact I can’t even recall where it was. I suspect it was at Newcastle Mayfair (although it could have been at the Poly or University?). I do remember them as a brass driven soul band. I’ve just checked and see that they have recently reformed and that Mick Talbot is with them again (as well as being a member of Dexy’s; this is just getting confusing for me).
10 May
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Exhibition Park 1982: Radio 1 in Concert from the Big Top
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Newcastle Exhibition Park 1982
Radio 1 in Concert from the Radio One Big Top
I went to see Dexy’s on Monday, and this has encouraged me to reflect on my previous experiences of the band. This gig was the second time I saw Kevin Rowland and the band, and the last time until I saw them again this week, and it was just amazing. I’d seen Dexy’s once before at the time of Geno, in Newcastle Mayfair. They were good that night, but nothing could have prepared me for this gig. The concert was one of (I think) two which were held in a large marquee on Exhibition Park as part of a Radio One in Concert weekend. The other gig was The Boomtown Rats, and I decided to go along to one of the gigs. I’m so glad I chose this show, because it was a revelation. Part of the reason that it was so good was the surprise element. Neither Come on Eileen or the album Too-Rye-Ay had been released at this point, and the image of Dexy’s that I had in my head was of the soul rebels in their donkey jackets and wooly hats. This was the first performance of the new gyspy folk Dexy’s, and the entire crowd was just stunned when the band came on stage, Kevin dressed in a pair of dungarees and with his new curly hair cut. You could see that everyone was just speechless and totally shocked by the complete transformation that the band had undergone. They were straight into a set which drew heavily from the forthcoming Too-Rye-Ay lp with its hybrid of soul and Celtic folk. They also included Geno, and Jackie Wilson said. The rest of the band were dressed in dungarees, scarves, leather waistcoats, and what was described at the time as “a generally scruffy right-off-the-farm look”. Kevin Rowland said at the time of the new image: “These are my best clothes. Again it just feels right for the music. Everybody else is dressing up sort of straight-laced and we come in wearing these and it’s like, y’know here we are, a bit of hoedowning is even possible”. And hoedown they did.
Once I got over the shock of the new image and the new line-up, I just sat back and enjoyed the music. How could you not enjoy those infectious folk tunes. This was the first time the new lp, including Come on Eileen was played live and the only time that the line-up featured the Searching for the Young Soul Rebels-era horn section alongside the Too-Rye-Ay-era strings. I knew that night that the new lp and those songs were going to be massive. Come on Eileen hit the charts and soared to number one a few weeks later and the band were back to play to a sold-out City Hall, a gig which I missed in order to see The Jam’s final North East gig at Whitley Bay (which was the right choice, but I still regret missing Dexy’s that night!). I remember going home buzzing about the gig, still not being quite able to take in or believe what I had seen. I tried to explain to my friends how good it had been, but they didn’t get it until they saw them performing Come On Eileen on Top of the Pops a few weeks later. This was one of those gigs which I wish I could return to and relive. The show was released on CD 13 years later in 1995 and features the following tracks: TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia); Burn It Down; Let’s Make This Precious; Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile); Come on Eileen; Respect; Soon; Plan B; Geno; Old; The Celtic Soul Brothers; There, There, My Dear; Show Me.
Note. I’ve just found (30 Jan 2014) a programme for the Radio 1 Weekend, which this concert must have been part of. The weekend featured all the DJs (Tony Blackburn, Peter Powell, Keith Chegwin etc) plus personal appearances by Dexys, Haircut 100 and others. There was also a local band stage which featured among others The Toy Dolls. The programme includes a free flexi single by Lindisfarne (although they were not appearing as they were on tour at the time). Fascinating stuff. I’d forgotten all about this.
8 May
Dexy’s Whitley Bay Playhouse May 7th 2012
Dexy’s Whitley Bay Playhouse May 7th 2012
With the name streamlined from Dexys Midnight Runners to Dexys, last night’s gig was prior to the release of their fourth album, ‘One Day I’m Going To Soar’; the first Dexy’s album in 26 years. For this project Kevin Rowland’s Dexy’s features previous members Mick Talbot on keyboards, Pete Williams on vocals and Jim Paterson on trombone. It also features Neil Hubbard and Tim Cansfield on guitars, Madeleine Hyland on vocals, and Lucy Morgan on violin. This tour sees their first gigs for almost 10 years, taking in small theatres across the UK. Its 30 years since I last saw this band, and I have been really looking forward to it. I knew that this gig was sure to be something special, one way or the other. There was no support and no interval, with Dexy’s coming on stage at 8.30pm. Whitley Bay PLayhouse was packed and you could feel the anticipation. The band came on to a darkened stage, slick and smartly dressed in suits which looked like they had come from New York in the 20s. The show was very theatrical and is based on the story of a relationship between our hero Kevin and Madeleine Hyland, who first appeared on screen and later on stage in person. Kevin was as intense and passionate as ever, and at times I thought this was one of the best things I have ever seen. At other times, I felt the show crossed the line and became just a little too bizarre and absurd. The crowd clearly really enjoyed it, giving each and every song a tremendous reception. Laura, David and I were sitting in the second row and had a great view of the action. 
It was tremendous to be so close to such a great showman. The set consisted of the new album played through in its entirity, followed by an old Dexy’s song, which I must admit I didn’t know, with a rousing and joyful Come On Eileen as the closer. The crowd wouldn’t let the band leave without one more song, and they returned to play This Is What She’s Like. An astounding show, which at time hit great heights and depth. A night that none of the audience will forget for a long long time. Setlist: Now; Lost; Me; She Got A Wiggle; You; Thinking Of You; I’m Always Going To Love You; Incapable Of Love; Nowhere Is Home; Free; It’s OK John Joe, ?, Come On Eileen. Encore: This Is What She’s Like
7 May
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Mayfair June 1980 : Intense Emotion Review
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Mayfair 1980
We are going to see Dexy’s latest incarnation at Whitley Bay Playhouse tonight, and I am really looking forward to it. Kevin Rowland may be an enigma, but he is also a hero of mine. He is undoubtedly extremely talented, and puts his entire heart and soul into everything he does. I first saw Dexy’s Midnight Runners in 1980 at Newcastle Mayfair on the Intense Emotion Review. The title of the tour said it all. Kevin was determined to create a band which was a vehicle for his passion and his vision; a band with a strong image, and built on the concept of soul and emotion. Geno was a hit at the time and the band came on stage dressed in donkey jackets and woolly hats, and delivered a set of great soul and r&b. Rowland said at the time: “we didn’t want to become part of anyone else’s movement. We’d rather be our own movement” and “We wanted to be a group that looked like something…a formed group, a project, not just random”. Master of Ceremonies and resident comedian for the evening was Keith Allen (see picture; doesn’t he look young!). Support came from The Upset featuring local guy Archie Brown, and The Black Arabs. Kevin Rowland lists his listening as Astral Weeks by Van Morrison in the programme (good choice). 
This was around the time of their first lp Searching for the Young Soul Rebels. I remember them playing Geno, and a great version of Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache, which is one of my favourite songs. The Mayfair was packed to the walls, and the place went mad when they played Geno; lots of singing along. At the time the band seemed to fit somewhere between The Specials, and new mod in the form of Secret Affair etc. In fact they were much more that. As Kevin said at the time: “I’m going to do what I really want to do: form a great group. We’ll wear great clothes and make soulful music.” And they did just that for a short period. The next time I saw Dexy’s was at a Radio One In Concert programme which was recorded in a marquee on Exhibition Park in Newcastle. By that time Kevin’s vision had changed into the gypsy folk which was Too-Rye-Ay, and that gig was just astonishing; one of the best gigs I have ever been to; I’ll post about that night in a couple of days. Can’t wait for tonight’s show. Will post on it tomorrow morning.
7 Mar
Adele Newcastle Tyne Theatre April 2008
Adele Newcastle Tyne Theatre April 2008
This gig doesn’t seem that long ago, but its getting on for four years since Laura and I saw Adele at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. I recall at the time being surprised how quickly this gig sold out, and that was well before the mega-stardom that she enjoys now. At the time I had only heard “Chasing pavements” but was caught up in the wave of new female singers, such as Amy Winehouse and Duffy. So Laura and I decided to check Adele out. The show was very impressive, particularly considering that Adele was just 20 at the time. She struck me as quite shy, and couldn’t seem to believe it all herself. I remember her singing the Dylan song “Make You Feel My Love”, and realising that it was one Dylan song that I didn’t know. Good to see how her career has gone from strength to strength since then. I wonder if we’ll ever see her back at the Tyne Theatre again? And with a ticket price of £15?
3 Mar
Average White Band in concert 1976 and 1980
Average White Band 1976 and 1980
PIck Up The Pieces! The Average White Band were great favourites of some of my mates in the 70s. Their blend of funk and rock would fill the dance floor in discos. I saw them in concert a couple of times, at Newcastle City Hall in 1976 and again in 1980. I remember that as a tight rock/jazz outfit, great at what they did, but to be honest they were never really by cup of tea. I went to see them along with friends who were more into them than me.
The Average White Band split up in 1982 but regrouped after some years and are still playing today. They played recently at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall as part of the Celtic Connections festival. Looking back through the programmes, which are pictured here, from those gigs did bring back some memories. The support act on one of those tours, I owuld think 1976, was Kokomo. 
Now there was a band, who are all but forgotten now, and much under-rated. Their blend of soul and funk was much more to my liking. Kokomo drew its musicians from a number of UK bands including The Grease Band, Arrival, and King Crimson. I recall seeing Kokomo quite a few times: a great gig in Newcastle Poly and at the Reading Festival, but can’t recall any of their songs. I must try and find one of their lps.
Bands like Average White Band and Kokomo represent a particular time and period to me; in fact I’d almost forgotten them. I’m finding the exercise of working through my programme and ticket collection very interesting. Its bringing back old memories, and reminding me of bands and times that I had forgotten. Its taking longer than I thought, however; I’m working through them, at least in part, alphabetically, and I haven’t yet completed the letter A…..
12 Oct
Stevie Winwood Sage Gateshead 6 October
Stevie Winwood Sage Gateshead 6 October 2008
Stevie Winwood returned to the North East with a set which covered all aspects of his career. Its been many years (perhaps more than 20?) since Stevie Winwood has played in Newcastle and the crowd at the Sage in Gateshead gave him a great reception as he took the stage on Monday night. The Sage concert hall was not full, but the turn out was pretty good and everyone was clearly excited at the prospect of hearing Stevie’s great soulful voice. The set up on the stage was pretty sparse, with Stevie’s band comprising a guitarist, bassist, percussionist and a drummer. Stevie split his time between sitting at the organ and playing guitar. In fact his guitar playing, though often overlooked, is pretty fine. But it is the great songs and his wonderful soulful voice that everyone has come to hear.
The set contained a mixture of old classics from Spencer Davis days, through Traffic, Blind Faith and Winwood’s solo career, interspersed with quite a few from his new album. So we got I’m a Man early on in the set, followed by Empty Pages, Can’t find my way back home, back in the high life again. The encores were Dear Mr Fantasy and Gimme Some Lovin. All sung excellently; his voice is as strong as ever. A great show. The only slight downer was the crowd reaction which although good, was also quite laid back. At a couple of points, the guitarist in the band tried to get the crowd to get up and dance, without any success; its something about the formalish nature of the venue I think.
website: http://www.stevewinwood.com/
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