With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
A busy one with five for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2017, Chic w Chaka Khan, O2 Arena, London
I can’t believe that this was three years ago, it seems like yesterday for this faultless show. The hits and more are here for this super slick, finely oiled, machine that is Chic. Fully reviewed here and have seen the show since. Still holds up.
2013, Mark Kozelek, Union Chapel, London
It’s a cold Sunday night in North London. I was not expecting the mood to improve with Kozelek, renowned grumpy bastard. His mood would also not be improved by the fact that another grumpy bastard Lou Reed had just died that day too. And so it proved.
I don’t remember many specifics but it was certainly was a dour affair for me and the Burgess Brothers. Of course it had its moments but he was so downbeat he certainly made Leonard Cohen look like PT Barnum.
2011, Chatham County Line, Jazz Cafe, London
If you want top quality bluegrass then you need look no further than these guys. It’s a simple pure sound with the band crowded around a single microphone armed with banjo, guitar, stand-up bass and mandolin.
This was probably the ‘Wildwood’ tour show but too be honest the albums are largely irrelevant for me for this band. It’s live where they shine and you just have to sit back and admire the musicians on stage, great picking, great harmonies and great sets.
2010, Duke and the King, Electric Ballroom, London
A whole new affair for this upbeat super night with Graham at the Ballroom. Between leaving The Felice Brothers and his solo stuff Simone Felice formed this band including Simi Stone sharing vocals and they lasted a couple of years producing a lovely little body of work for us to enjoy.
Live they were amazing. A tight band but the harmonies between Simon and Simi were just beautiful. It’s as quiet as I’ve ever heard an audience as we just stood silently and took in this lovely performance.
Sadly short lived but it was fun while it lasted, thanks Simone who in whatever guise I have seen him has delivered entertaining memorable gigs.
1982, Asia, Wembley Arena, London
A real oldie here for me and Graham for this supergroup on their maiden tour supporting their debut album. I remember getting the tickets for this one at Keith Prowse in Bentalls in Kingston. Yes kids this was pre internet and you either had to go the venue or use a physical ticket agency. Sadly the old dear behind the counter got very confused with these two spotty youths who sat down opposite here and asked for two tickets for Asia. There then ensued an Abbot and Costello like exchange for a few minutes where she asked where in Asia we want to go, Wembley, Wembley’s not in Asia, but we want to go to Asia, where, Wembley…..etc. We got there in the end but it was painful.
First up tonight is Chris Bliss. Never heard of him, no nor has anyone else. He was a juggler I $hit you not. We are in a big arena so unless you are ten foot away you can’t see the balls or other props he’s juggling but to be honest they could all be on strings so they don’t drop. It’s the weirdest support act I have ever seen
Onto Asia, its Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, John Wetton and Carl Palmer in the band and as is the norm for this period of time everyone gets a solo. And boy you have not seen anything until you have seen a Carl Palmer drum solo. I have seen shorter gigs.
That aside it’s a perfect night of mellow pop tinged prog rock. There’s a shed load of commercial, shortish songs that should probably have troubled the pop charts a bit more than they did and that debut album still remains one of my favourites from the eighties. Sadly, after that album they tailed off quite badly after and more or less turned into a tribute band of themselves.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon although I have now had my first gig of 2021 cancelled so that will take it to a full twelve months at least between gigs.
Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.