I'll be putting a more detailed review up in the Archive when I've got some time to write it, plus probably a few photos of the occasion.
Setlist:
Love Your Life
Something Is Happening
All Alone
Man Of Misery
C'mon
Sudden Life
Many Are Called But Few Get Up
Romain
Shit On The World
Bananas
Around 75-80 people enjoyed the show, so the atmosphere was pretty reasonable. It was the first time I've been to The Musician, and I'm told the stage has been extended a little recently. A very pleasant and friendly venue once inside, but I'll admit to feeling somewhat nervous when trying to locate it. Another of those edge of the city centre locations where the streetlights are mostly out, and the windows boarded up.
The details of the pre-gig Somali take-away with the mystery menu, the frozen fish, cold curry, disappearing fish-cakes and the almost unanimous mass walk-out will have to wait for the full review. No prizes for guessing who was behind the beat during the walk-out though.
In essence it was a very confidently delivered show, which suffered from problems with the sound here and there. I suspect the sound onstage was much worse than front of house, with George and Martin particularly frustrated by the balance. Phil commented later that he couldn't make much out through the monitors, but had really enjoyed himself anyway, despite shredding most of his fingernails in the excitement. Josh was playing through an Epiphone amp top and cabinet I'd not seen before. Very Sixties looking but perhaps, from his observation before the show, more style than substance. Be interesting to see how he gets on with it. Certainly loud enough.
As you can see, the setlist is pretty much the same as was being played on the sprinkling of dates earlier this year. Phil's reclaimed his solo slot during C'mon, great to hear, with George cutting back his contribution just a little.
For me the highlights were Love Your Life, Something Is Happening, Man Of Misery and Sudden Life on this occasion. This largely emphasises that the present line up are very capable of doing justice to material both classic and current, and dancing elegantly across the various stepping stones in between too. I reckon anybody staying away because Micky and Deke are absent, are rather missing the point of what the band are all about.
Gossip regarding the new recordings being made this month and next month indicate that there's a fine collection of candidates for the next album. With the various band members spread across three countries nowadays, I'd venture that more ideas will be springing forth when they get together in the same place at the same time. There's also a possibility that an album launch party might be arranged to co-incide with the re-opening of the Patti Pavilion. Now there's a good idea, but still just a rumour mind.
Special mention to the support band The Last Pedestrians, who made a fine Cajun-influenced noise, and would be well worth catching up with if they're in your neighbourhood.
