Saturday, 25 July 2020
Live Review - The Police and The Specials Oakville Toronto Canada (Record Mirror 5th September 1981)
A review of one of my favourite Specials gigs. Whilst the angry energy of the bands early sets is undeniable, 'More Specials' gave the band an extra dimension that stood them apart from some of the other 2 Tone and 2 Tone associated acts. If I am honest, as someone who did not witness and Specials gigs first time around I would say that an '81 end of the road gig would have been more appealing set wise than a pure first album set.
Absolut Live TV Performance DVD Bremen 18th February 1997
Ok, some time ago I posted the audio rip of this Mk II German TV performance (here). As I recall, I was not very complimentary about this performance then. Love the fact that some people really got and appreciated the Paul Roberts/John Ellis incarnation of the band. It just wasn't for me.
The only additional comment that I will make on this recording relates to 'Summer In The City'...... a great Summer of Love track by The Loving Spoonful without a doubt, but how distracted were The Stranglers they when this was proposed in a band meeting!
Of the covers that have been done.
'Mony Mony' - a good cover, sultry vocals from Celia, hooligan backing vocals from the bass player..... happy days, different and refreshing (oh and by the way, miles better than Billy Idols effort!)
'Walk on By' - whilst I am sorry to say that these days a rendition of WOB at a gig turns me off, there is no mistaking that this is a masterpiece. In making it there own, The Stranglers produced a version that is as vital and as valid as the original. Not many covers can do that.
'All Day and All of the Night' - once again, a brilliant song by a brilliant band. The sound suited The Stranglers completely. The only problem was that it was so faithful to the Kinks' original that it offered nothing and for that reason was a rather pointless exercise.
'Summer in the City' - completely unsuited to The Stranglers. A toe curling mistake.
Here endeth Adrian's opinions on cover versions.
DVD image: https://we.tl/t-mJMJzBqw6o
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pdjEptmnwq
To Tour or Not To Tour - That Is The Question
Wednesday’s announcement of a tour delay cannot come as much of a surprise to anyone. At the rate that this lockdown is easing coupled with the rising rates of infection following a lifting of certain restrictions in other European nations means that UK gigs in major venues in the second half of 2020 are a pipedream.
So now that a good few respectful weeks since the sad loss of our unique keyboard player have passed, I feel that I can express my own thoughts on the matter of the tour and the future of the band on this site.
The obvious question is whether they should or shouldn’t have continued with the plans for their final major British tour. On this topic I am sure that there are as many opinions as there are fans to express them! There certainly is no right or wrong in this situation. In this I can for sure see both sides of the argument and as such my position on this is mine and mine alone, I fully respect contrary opinions and expect no recriminations!
I would rather that the death of either active, touring member of the band, i.e. JJ or Dave, trigger the drawing of a long black veil over the band’s long and illustrious career with no further live appearances in the name of The Stranglers.
On the night of the 3rd May, I stayed up late, listening to the band and in particular those songs that Dave really made his own (more from a musical rather than a vocal standpoint). This went beyond Golden Brown of course! In this respect I was the only family member, in a family heavily invested in The Stranglers, who felt able to do so on the day. The numbing effect of alcohol may have been a contributory factor in this respect as I attempted to digest this most unwelcomed of news.
From discussions earlier in the evening with Mo and Gunta, the three of us arrived at the conclusion that the element that underpinned that unique ‘Stranglers’ sound’ was not the grumbling bass of JJ (potent as it is), it was Dave’s handling of the keys that made all the difference. Think about it, over the years, Hugh, the undoubted voice of The Stranglers, was successfully replaced, Jet Black, the powerhouse drummer relinquished his drum stool for a younger man and was likewise replaced. Shoot me down, but I reckon that, at a very good push someone could do a fair interpretation of JJ’s bass sound if they were heavy handed enough and sufficiently disrespectful of their instrument. So, that just leaves Dave. Can he be replaced in a manner that would retain that crucial ‘Stranglers’ sound’? This is where I have my doubts.
The tour as it was set up was intended to be a final major celebration of the band as a live performing band. It promised to be a party for the faithful, only marginally tinged with sadness. After all things come to an end and after well over 40 years in the business there are no debts outstanding! It would have been an opportunity for the ‘Familyinblack’ to socialize hard as always, pre and post gig, for one last time. Graeme Mullen once said ‘Sometimes the gig just gets in the way’ Never a truer word was said Mully!
The new 2021 tour will be a different proposition altogether. I have tickets for 6 gigs, having been out done by the daughter who currently had 9 but is seeking more! My problem is that I cannot foresee a situation where I will enjoy any of them. It will just be too hard on me and those that have invested half a lifetime in following this exceptional band.
On the other hand I appreciated that the statement from the band that ‘this is what Dave would have wished for’ and as an outsider I cannot say anything to the contrary. I appreciate to that there are other factors that may or may not come into play here. What are the financial implications for the band of a cancellation? How do the insurers that underwrite these big tours view such situations in terms of death of a band member and additionally in the event a global pandemic? What power do venues have (some of which will be at risk of permanent closure) over cancellations?
Please feel free to share your own thoughts.
Rock In Athens '85 Panathinaikos Stadium Athens 26th July 1985
Here's a pro-DVD that is just 24 hours shy of its 35th birthday. Aural Sculture comes to Athens, where they do know a bit about sculpture it must be said.
DVD image: https://we.tl/t-wRhhEWeih6
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-QU8uv2XJI7
01. Souls
02. Interview
03. Let Me Down Easy
04. Midnight Summer Dream
05. European Female
06. Interview
07. Skin Deep
08. Golden Brown
Sunday, 19 July 2020
20 From '82(12) Stiff Little Fingers Reading University 26th October 1982
I don't think that many recordings from SLF's last tour from their first life were made. Here is what I assume to be a full set from Reading University. Happily, material from the new album, 'Now Then', is well represented in this set.
01. Love Of The Common People
02. Silver Lining
03. Falling Down
04. Two Guitars Clash
05. Is That What You Fought The War For?
06. Wait And See
07. The Only One
08. Gate 49
09. The Price Of Admission
10. Johnny Was
11. Bits Of Kids
12. Touch And Go
13. Listen
14. Roots, Rockers, Radicals And Reggae
15. Just Fade Away
16. Fly The Flag
20 From '82(11) Killing Joke Clutch Cargo's Detroit Michigan 7th August 1982
Here we have Killing Joke on the East coast of the US with a soundboard recording from the 'Revelations' era. I bet it was warm in that venue!
01. The Hum
02. Fall of Because
03. Pssyche
04. Chop Chop
05. The Pandy's Are Coming
06. Take Take Take
07. Sun Goes Down
08. We Have Joy
09. Empire Song
10. Change
11. Bloodsport
12. Compications
13. War Dance
Hugh Cornwell 'Songbook' (Sky Arts TV) 2008
Here's a DVD, part of the Sky Arts Channel 'Songbook' series which sees Hugh talking about career and playing a handful of acoustic tracks.
DVD iso image: https://we.tl/t-GsGj5TKKgi
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-liTQBsolDa
01. Interview
02. Strange Little Girl
03. Never Say Goodbye
04. Lay Back On Me Pal
05. Hola Cadiz
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