Bilston
Whether you take in a single concert or a multitude of gigs, the anticipation of an electric tour, always raises excitement to new levels.
The show at Bilston was opened by the Valuable Fools and it sounds like they had a good time and enjoyed their reception.
Sadly never got to take up Mark's invite to say "hello" as there were far too many long term friends from far and wide that I took delight in meeting and saying " Hi " to after the show - Sorry Mark
So what of Strawbs. Tonight was our introduction to this line - up, which includes John Young who had flown back into the UK after a day long flight from the other end of the world and literally hours before the guys took to the stage. It was our chance to welcome him as the new Strawb, although weeks behind his "real" debut in Canada.
The complex nature of Strawbs music really challenges, but despite the long trip and his UK debut, there were plenty of times John came to the fore, adding his perspective to classic material, known and loved by many a Strawbs fan.
This is clearly, a hard rocking outfit and it delighted those that love the live music experience. Loud and in your face and this night was the ideal way to blow away any cobwebs ahead of the rest of the tour in a spectacular way. Adding intensity, to the anticipation of what was to follow.
And blow them away they did,with Tony powerful drumming and Chas's rhythm section setting the backdrop for Dave's lightning guitar and power chords.
Always challenging themselves and playing live we enjoyed songs a few years back some of us would not have dreamed to have ever heard or thought we might hear live from the stage, with DC's passionate, aggressive and sometimes, subtle and gentle vocal, lighting and darkening the shades of the lyrics.
Tonight was about letting the power flow, letting the beat get into your brain, accepting it with an abundance and joy remembering the times when you had to turn the stereo up as loud as it would go, wobbling the "ornaments", because you just wanted to, as a temporary substitute with the band not "out to play "
"Turn me round" set the mood magnificently. A throw back from an opening number of a number of years ago so it was good to welcome back that particular friend. Hardly drawing breath, the band then launched into the iconic New World, with vocals searing in their intensity and feeling.
With acknowledgment to Alan Perry and Strawbsweb
Phew, this is going to be fun, I remember thinking, as I looked forward to the next number, my description for this will follow in "part 2 of lots" - Newcastle.
Newcastle
After Birmingham, Newcastle was next on the agenda, revisiting from 18 months previously when a heatwave made it feel like a midsummer day in May.
We had all decided to take our own route to the venue,that is Pete and Lynne , Ali and Lindsay and me.... I decided to take if not the shortest route one that at least avoided a continuous mile on mile of continuous motorway drive.
I was high on Shap Fell, thinking of my friends below, but they had gone some other way when gales and heavy rain struck me on my own. A fore taste of weather to follow, like the 80 MPH wind that was later to affect numbers at the gig with weather warnings to "stay indoors" flashed on local news reports.
We did of course...Inside The Cluny. A sturdy building under the Byker Bridge, but before that.......
Down the A66 , and through Kirkby Stephen and the tea room (where I first met Les) where the Acoustic lineup played on their way to the Edinburgh festival a few years back. Happy memories, past a few snow covered hills for a pre planned luncheon meet up with the rest.
The gig was all we expected it to be, but with my tour consisting of 9 gigs I had intended reviewing 2 songs at each in chronological order, but as Newcastle, like Bilston was one long set, Flower and the Young Man didn't get an airing ...so that will come next, so it is straight on to The Promised land and Ghosts.
Ah The Promised Land, what delight that is and written by Chas. There is one thing about this tour.... it rocks... and in the closing moments of the song reinforces the magic that has already gone before in the opening 2 numbers ..full on Strawbs. Bravo .... encore, more , more ,more and it's only the third number
I think it was Pete that said at the Cluny, John was further forward in the mix than the night before. A thought I endorse and in Ghosts there is great opportunity for him to demonstrate his obvious abilities. Ghosts appears in both the acoustic format and full band and never fails to deliver, tonight was no exception.
Morning breeze, spinning leaves, sleepy trees at least it was by the time we got back to our large comfy hotel with swimming pool and gym....wait we will have none of that on the tour, So as most other residents were tucked up in bed (I assume) we decided it was time to open the after midnight port washed down with a hobnob or two just for good measure.
Life is good on the road. Tomorrow it's Yorkshire.
Reeth
If any of this makes no sense, blame the cider, not me !
When I first saw this gig on Strawbsweb, I thought, where ? I searched maps high and low and found this place seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
But after a bit of touristy bits enjoying the North Sea coast and ambling on the promenade at Amble, followed swiftly, by a trip to Warkworth, not the castle , but the age old bridge, I set my inbuilt compass for the South and a turning I saw on the A66 which said "Reeth"
After spotting Reeth on the A66, the previous day, if any one is in the area and fancies a bit of excitement , I suggest you take this route, up , down , all around, bends that are 90 degrees , others that seem sensibly innnocent.
A fine introduction to Swaledale. Perhaps we had also stumbled on the drug capital of the Yorkshire Dales, thankfully, our signpost took us in a different direction.
Courtesy of Strawbette 1
I suppose since the gig was announced I wondered what we would get, but what we did get was the first two set show of the tour, which mean't that both Flower and the Young Man and So Close yet so far away, would get an airing.
As it turns out the band were re-united with a sound guy friend from the Focus , Wishbone Ash "legends" tour..the previous "Sold out" tag mean't that it was going to be a good night of fun.
The hotel itself changed from a traditional UK pub environment to a small theatre behind giving a chance to sit next to Paul Smith on sound and if I had lent over I could have twiddled a knob or two, but that wouldn't have helped much.
Instead I concentrated on the performance and to day it was getting better, almost seems a slight on what went before, which was fabulous, but tonight everything was in place, great sound, great sold out audience, great booze and only a 50 yard dash to the guest house.
The featured songs... "Flower and the Young Man" with a capella breaks and So Close and Far away were delivered in a way so reminiscent of Strawbs its very best. Indeed "So Close" ..... captured the essence of the emotion that Strawbs have brought over many a year.
As Lynne Madeley had decamped to the front, she advised me to hold hands with husband Pete and sway along to "Winter long" (I think that was an order) in her absence.... well I'm not much of a substitute but I enjoyed it all the same (without the hand holding bit)I'm sure Pete didn't miss it that much.. Lynne maybe , but not me !
The one thing you get with way out places, is that time stands still. No-one worries too much about formal closing and we all sat around in the bar to a very late hour enjoying the ambiance of the evening.
I sadly had to depart earlier than the others, which gave me a touring black mark, but with a need to get back South next day and a 4 hour 30 minute drive ahead to meet my deadline, I was steadfast in my sobriety.. OK almost.
We all managed brekkie the next day, gazing out at the moors lying Northward and upwards from the B & B. Great sight.
This was day three, three great gigs all different but very special in their own way. I'm glad I made them.
Milton Keynes
Having been to the Stables a number of times I was wondering if I would give it a miss this time around in favour of another less visited venue.
I am glad I changed my mind virtually on the morning of the show, because after missing Derby the night before and remembering Reeth and the ones that went before that, I just couldn't miss it.
And what a memorable performance, it turned out to be, generating perhaps the greatest crowd reaction in all the times I have been there and also perhaps also one of the largest.
The one thing about Wavendon is that the sound is spot on good. In fact due to my late booking, I was sat right next to the hi tech sound desk and if I had wanted I could have lean't over and overidden the decibel limiter.
That was not necessary of course with Paul controlling the sound to perfection. The venue is noted for fantastic sound and with two sets again which mean't the closing numbers The River, Down by the Sea closing a great first set.
These songs are a must at all electric shows and with Tony's thumping drums agglomerating the sound into a wall to wall experience. The crowd showed their appreciation with stunning round of applause and cheering.
That set everyone up for the second half where the levels of appreciation seemed to get louder and louder with every passing number culminating in standing ovations at the end of the set and also the encore.
This was a Strawbs tour de force, a superb memory from what is fast becoming a fantastic tour. Liverpool next, can it get any better?..you will just have to wait until part 5 to find out.... a little clue... it might.
Liverpool
Oddly, I don't think I had ever seen in Band play in Liverpool, the closest, and yet not so far away was in St. Helens.
It was a bit of a Witchwood gathering too with the two Northern Fools Les and Pete, swelling the travelling party.
Every one else merrily eating by the time I arrived in my hotel, close to the Cathedral and somehow a 12 foot high wall surrounding it's car park topped off with rolls of barbed wire some how gave a sense of premium security in this city ( or did it? ) vaunted once as the City of Culture.
I arrived too late for happy hour, very happy if you are on time, as were one or two of the party - Lindsay and Ali. Happy hour turns in to very happy hour, as the bar during that time, is totally free.Oh to be Free.
It was getting close to the published start time of 7.30, so after making contact with the others I found my way to the University building housing the event.
It was a bit concerning when I arrived as there were only 6 people inside, but that news was tempered by the fact it wasn't a 7.30 start after all.
It seems most of what turned out to be a good and very enthusiastic crowd were all enjoying pre gig drinks in the Philharmonic pub ( more of that later) ...all timing their arrival very carefully and filling the hall nicely in the 5 or ten minutes before the gig started. They must have been aware of the student bar that only contained cans of beer and lager
This, by after show voting, based on a number of measures edged ahead as the very best gig of a terrific tour so far, great lights, great sound and most of all, the band were on top form delivering yet another master class in their material.
Even the cold nature of the hall disappeared in the second half as the intensity and enjoyment of the occasion took over.
Here I start the review of the second half where Autumn assumed similar majesty to the band with the Hawken / Coombes lineup. Was there singing from the gallery on the choruses ? Well I'm sure I wasn't imagining it.
John Young intros into Sad Young Man and as DC puts his guitar down, before venturing into the opening verse. The audience listened intently to his theatrical delivery which put every emotion in to the song that also carries some great guitar work from DL with that haunting tune that goes round and round in your head.
That's my two for this gig, just love in the next.
In the absence of any photographic evidence from Milton Keynes, delighted to see a couple of you tube videos were posted from the Liverpool show ...here are the links for all to enjoy.
Lay Down
And the Classic "Autumn" , the opening track of the album Hero and Heroine
Just as the gig finished, back to the Philharmonic amongst a downpour and a bit of sight seeing. Well for the ladies in the party at least. They had to have (wanted) a peep into the gents "world famous" urinals.
I can honestly say this is the first time I have ever written about Urinals in a Strawbs review. Their only problem was being rather shy they did not want ask the bar staff for the permission that they needed, so Pete Rand - the Fool, offered to take them by his hand for a visit. Amongst all the warming brandies they came back rather thrilled at at sight neither had seen before.
Good old Pete.
If you care for a peep, here are a few ( none of Pete I hasten to add)
Poole
A chilly night in Parkstone to be a little more precise.
I caught the sunset over Poole harbour,( see Yahoo group photos - "Poole and Bristol" ) , before heading off to The Bermuda triangle for a little liquid refreshment (and a warm)in this handy little pub literally yards from the gig.
During that time Ali gave me a call to check on the food available at that particular pub, but I had to give her the alarming news that all food had mysteriously disappeared, none in sight and nothing advertised, so she with husband John tried a little bit of China instead in the fairly local restaurant - good reports were had of that establishment afterwards.
Mr Kyps is a venue I visit from time to time even when Strawbs are not playing and after a bit of a disaster a couple of years ago when part of the ceiling fell in, it has been tastefully turned into one of the nicest standing venues in the south of England, with great sound and large stage.
The support was singer songwriter Bob Fletcher, who engaged the audience in a singalong in his last number, both on the stage and walking amongst everyone standing and watching - now what was the chorus consisted of the words Tom Jones, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Undertones, I think. Here is a you tube link if you want to check him out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJrHDl_qlP0 - He did that one too.
The only downside of Mr Kyps is a bar at the back, which does mean people gather there and there is a bit of noise for acoustic performers, but despite that, it is the sort of venue you would carry around if you want to hear Strawbs in their electric format and it became clear that the audience were really up for this and turned it into a real night to remember, no bar noise during Strawbs set !
Courtesy of Alan Quick and Strawbsweb
In the scheme of things, I was supposed to be really concentrating on Just Love and Shine on Silver Sun to include in this review, but in truth I was so enjoying the evening so much, they came and went without the merest of special notes about the delivery. I do remember, Just love really rocked as always and I do really enjoy Shine on Silver Sun in this format and the slightly heavier feel compared to the Acoustics version, certainly went down well with those in the building.
A great night, a big scrum at the merchandise desk where I snuck in under many a larger individual to grab a copy of John Young's "Significance" - a bargain at just £5. Enjoyed listening to that on the way home very much indeed.
This was one of those very special nights on the tour, with heavy bass lines tickling the toes and rumbling through the floorboards and the band playing powerfully and great audience reaction. Mr Kyps did us all proud and had just time to say goodbye to a few friends, I have yet to mention, that were also off to Bristol the next night, as well.
Bristol
Ah the second of two consecutive gigs less than an hour from home, much closer and it will be in my front room.
Bristol is a city, like no other, that is why it is called Bristol, but like most, change is always happening , leaving old traditional convenient car parks, covered by new crazy paving and other car parks charging at least £5 for 4 hours evening parking. Hardly,enough time to grab a leisurely bite and take in a gig ...
So back to my old faithful, not the closest, but on a crisp , dry winters evening , more than adequate.
The Bierkeller is well known for it's parties, but not so well known recently, as a concert venue. In fact I have only seen one other show there and it gives the feel that much of the inside has not changed much since the sixties or seventies with seats linked to tables many at right angles to the stage.
All that may sound a little bit discourteous to the venue, which had a really good sound system once again allowing Strawbs to demonstrate their power and accomplished musicianship before a very enthusiastic following who gave some great ovations.
Midnight sun, slows the tempo down and this seems to getting closer and closer to the fantastic Acoustic version that we see, as the tour progresses.. that may of course just be my imagination , but following Hero and Heroine epic the mood it generates is so very different.
A full standing ovation greeted the close of the show and the re-appearance for Lay Down was raptourous. A great show and a welcome return to Bristol for the full electric band.
PS It was lovely to see long time Strawbs friend and fan Sue Wedlock at the show, I know we were all shocked to hear of Husband Fred's passing earlier this year.
Sutton
A single sun shaft slid through the pink tinged clouds, threatening snow, as I left home for the trip up to Sutton for this gig. Even mid afternoon the temperature was well below zero, but with dry roads there was no problem travelling, but it did take me half an hour to warm up in the pub ahead of the show.
The Boom Boom was a nice surprise on the last tour where the packed audience created a great atmosphere. Not much different tonight, where the songs were greeted with great enthusiasm. The one down side of the Boom Boom is that the "Gent's" door entrance is almost adjadcent to the stage which mean't a steady trickle of audience members, needing to seek that particular comfort. Mentioning this seems a bit like nit picking because once again this was a great night.
The low ceiling almost restricted DC's hand movements in those expressive moments of songs where he has no guitar in hand. In sympathy with the rest of the tour the sound was loud and in your face - full blown Strawbs enjoying the ball.
Courtesy of Dick Greener and Strawbsweb
From show to show you draw many highlights, tonight that accolade would go to New World, The Promised Land,Ghosts,The River/Down By The Sea,Autumn,Sad Young Man,Just Love,Shine On Silver Sun,Hero And Heroine,Midnight Sun,Out In The Cold/Round And Round,Lay A Little Light On Me/Hero's Theme,Round And Round [reprise]Oh and I have forgotten Turn me round and Lay Down, just realized that's the lot, ah well, count it as the set list.
As features in this review Out in the Cold / Round and Round were brilliant again drawing yet another great audience reaction, with great interplay and that final emphatic powerful scream.
Sean Taylor provided the support tonight and was also very much appreciated by the audience, as a warm up act he certainly did his job, drawing an encore as there was time to spare ahead of the Strawbs appearance.
All in all a great night, the downside being, there are just two more gigs to follow this one before the tour closes. Borderline and Cardiff.... snow permitting !
London - Borderline
Another new venue for me although the acoustic lineup had played there not so long ago.
As I got close to Baker street station , I came upon around 500 santa's, or was it elves, all dressed in similar regalia. 500 was only an estimate as I didn't have time to count individually and I'm not sure it was the real Santa's though, as not one gave me a present. Perhaps they were all getting a convention or pep talk ahead of one of the busiest nights of the year, but then again perhaps it was going to be a night on the town down in London's West end. The mystery remains unsolved.
Met up with Dick and Ali after finally finding the pub (hidden by scaffolding) close to the venue, Borderline was a basement rock club just round the corner. A good Witchwood gathering was there, the aforementioned (I was, afterall in the company of a lawyer) and Lindsay, Steve Pritchards and Paul, Neil Lamb who has already posted - hope his cold is better.
Lindsay made several pre gig comments ...which rather took me aback, "very nice but it would be better if they were off" followed swiftly by "this would be very nice in the dark". I'll leave the rest to your imagination. I can only guess at what she was talking about.
Enjoyed this venue very much and the place was pretty full with a good atmosphere by the time the band hit the stage.
As well as those of the Witchwood contingent , there were clearly a large number of fans around, judging by the the numbers of those singing along and special mention of Dave Kitteridge from the Riga in Southend who has booked the Acoustics a few times but had ventured over for the Electric experience.
The one sad thing about tonight was that this was the penultimate gig of the tour which has really hit the groove and up there with the highlights from many a previous tour.
Just two more tracks to comment on "Lay a little light on me" and the encore Lay Down.
DC brings to the finale of the set an expressive feel as the the track builds nicely and then nicely into the chorus of Shine on Silver Sun with lovely vocal harmonies provided here by DL , Chas and John Young which worked spot on perfectly. If any one thinks the the track is winding down its back into the Round and Round reprise that generates, power and energy leaving everyone feeling high and exhilarated at yet another superb performance.
The taped ending of the album is played as the track ends as the band take their bows and continues until they return to the stage for the encore of Lay Down. Bringing the tracks together in this way has worked really well.
So what of Lay Down, very much a long standing servant in the set, but on this tour I have enjoyed it as much as I have on many a recent tour. I can't put my finger on why, perhaps it is because of what went before, maybe it's because this year it sounds fresh and just like you remember it to be, when you first heard it, but it brought to an end another great evening of Strawbs music.
All that was left was a late night dash back to ready for Cardiff the next day and a gaze at Regents Street Christmas lights, whose street, filled with Christmas shoppers earlier that evening, were now full of " Clubbers" of differing types.
Before I close a mention of the Stuart Masters trio who did an interesting set, ahead of the band - enjoyed much of that.
As a postscript, my reading glasses fell out of my car in Prince Albert Road, so if someone can organise a search party and send them back - grey case, name and return address inside, I would be most grateful and I could then see, if all this made any sense.
Cardiff
Yes, I have been to a many a Strawbs show over the years, a few may feel my views are therefore a bit jaundiced, but this latest tour has been definitely up there with the very best. Endorsed by a cracking finale at Cardiff.
It is fair to say that of those that do multiple gigs, The Globe at Cardiff was by far the highlight of the previous tour, so with great expectation, I was very much looking forward to this years finale.
It didn't disappoint, the place and crowd oozed enthusiasm for Strawbs, which Strawbs repaid and then delivered in the best way possible. Moment by moment the audience were captivated by the set list, the songs and the playing.
The tour set list was split into two, which mean't inclusion of "So Close" and "Flower and the Young Man" - songs that had not had an airing in the previous show.
Down by the Sea was a real highlight, but to single that out does little justice to the rest of the songs in each set, which were sensational in delivery, content and of course the desire of the band to deliver.
That said, for of the ten shows I attended,maybe Cardiff didn't quite this time hit the number one spot, as Liverpool, with the addition of it's spectacular light show probably took top billing on all round assessment
So, from the UK tours new boy John Young, through to original member Dave C, everyone made this tour as enjoyable as any that had gone before. This was a Strawbs outfit at their very rocking best. Of course we have not forgotten previous recent "tourers" John, Rod and Oliver but this years "new boys" John Y and Tony were of course, so responsible with their playing for the enjoyment everyone had along the way from Bilston to Cardiff and the 12 dates in between.
So here is a little flavour of a combined finale from Cardiff and Borderline. ( Apologies for the sound and quality of the video itself)
So to Dave C, Dave L, Chas, Tony and John, a huge thanks, this has been a tour to remember, you were fantastic.
And to those I met along the way, great to see you all, my touring friends are especially included.
