More Than This

For once, this gig loving, music devotee is going to write about the former in a negative way!

I know, it's a shock. But unfortunately it has to be done.

Twice, in the last 3 months, I have been let down by the one thing that is normally there through thick and thin. Unbelievably, I have been to two gigs at great venues, with world renowned artists and I have been disappointed. No worse, than disappointed. I have been left feeling apathetic, flat and totally uninterested.

The first of these events was back in May. I'm a huge Weller fan. Over the years he has written some of the the finest songs this country has produced. You Do Something To Me remains one of my all time favourite songs, so much so that if I ever venture into the world of marriage that will be my first dance song and the groom will just have to lump it. But lets return to the gig in hand. Having booked the tickets months in advance, my good mate Warlock and I had been looking forward to a great set in the stunning surroundings of the Albert Hall.

Unfortunately, for us, Mr Weller had other ideas. The musicianship was still there, the stage setting was great, the violin chorus were gorgeous and glam...it should have been brilliant. But it wasn't! Fair enough, he wanted to promote the new album but the fans expect some of the old classics too. When eventually Weller broke into You Do Something To Me, Warlock and I exchanged a look and thought all would be forgiven. But no even this was a disaster. The stunning solo that is the piece de resistance in this sublime little song was completely and utterly left out!!! Why? Why? Why?

Bewildered and a little annoyed we left the gig early! Unheard of!

And now to the second gig of doom....Yesterday found me in the beautiful Victoria Park in East London. The sun was shining, I was in the company of my gig going London mates Huw and Rich and the headliners were Roxy Music. Having enjoyed a truly amazing and energetic set from Grand Master Flash we headed to the main stage ready to be wowed by Mr Ferry and co.

Again, the setting was great (outdoor gigs really do have a great atmosphere), the crowd were ready to kick back and enjoy a set from an internationally successful group. The opening song was ok but the rest of the set consisted of an hour of lesser known, dreary, uninspiring numbers. There's no doubt, Bryan Ferry can still sing and he still has bundles of charisma. And, yes the saxophonist got to showcase his very real talent but we wanted the old favourites. Where was Love is the Drug? Avalon? Dance Away? Disgusted, I left early, again!

And this is exactly why these two amazing artists failed their audiences. Loyal and long standing fans should not be treated this way. Sure, show off your new material - afterall we are likely to be the ones buying it. But please, please give us something in return.

A great set list should contain a mix of old and new that is guraranteed to make the crowd want more. Well certainly 'more than this'!

Let's Go To Tahiti

I caught up with an old mate from Uni yesterday. All the way back in 1993/4, we shared a flat in Pendle Halls at Lancaster Uni. My over-riding memory of my mate (lets call him T) from this time is the music that was always pounding out of his room. This was before the days of i-pods and even CD's were relatively new. My woeful music collection was still on cassettes and I considered myself to be cutting edge with a stereo that had auto-reverse! T was, at 25, a few years older than the rest of us and appeared to be worldly wise and uber cool in comparison. Not only did he have a full blown stereo system and CD's but they were catalogued and categorised to within an inch of their lives. It is because of T that I started my love affair with Paul Weller and The Eagles.

Whenever we catch up, music is normally the first thing we discuss. And yesterday was no exception. New purchases, new bands, up-coming concerts were all discussed and dissected.

"I've got a gem for you" I tell him "JJ Cale"

"Oh my God, I haven't heard that since we were at Uni"

I have to thank my mate Warlock for introducing this great sound to me on our trip to Pendle Hill (spot the link). And it really is the perfect soundtrack for a sunny Sunday afternoon. So much so that T and I listen to it twice!

The lazy guitar and chilled out vocals beg the listener to drop everything and relax. Even the titles of the songs urge you to forget the real world 'Katy Kool Lady', 'Lou-Easy Ann', 'Let's Go To Tahiti' - well if you insist! I was never into recreational drugs even as a student. That whole culture passed me by, it's never appealed, never interested me and it never will but this album is almost like the drug trip without the drugs. With very little effort or thought required, you will find yourself kicking back and pondering life at your leisure. And all without the nasty come down - jobs a goodun!

If T and I were still young and carefree students, this album would definitely have been the start of a large Sunday Session in the Students Union culminating in kebabs at 3am. Unfortunately, the degrees have been long awarded and the professional world embraced. But for the duration of this magical album we can pretend...