| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| John E |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 15:47:53
I really can't agree with Sunzoomspark's earlier thread. From my own perspective at least, this set was even better than London. Anyway, I managed to join the queque in it's earliest stages, and was right behind a father and son who were having the thrill of seeing Love for the first time. Once inside I managed to secure a place at the very front again, and was joined by some of the regulars...Richard and his wife, Brighton's own Paul and Ashley, Jill and her friend
(and later Gill Oakley and her friend). The club filled up very quickly, and some great Sixties music was played. A welcoming "San Franciscan Nights" was playing when I entered (especially on a chilly Sussex night!). It was the first time that I had seen the support band, The Primary Five, and they were excellent - melodic powerful, and warm to the audience (interesting how the singer and drummer reveresd roles at one point). Anticiapation built, and Love came on around 9.30pm. Arthur said how much he enjoyed playing in Brighton, and he delivered accordingly. He was in fine singing voice, and back on top form as a performer, (though some of his speech was not too clear). Furthermore, the new band now seem totally integrated. Mike and Johnny each have a chance to shine, and David Nolte fits in remarkably well. They kicked off with "Alone Again Or" and every song sounded as fresh and exciting as ever (which is astonishing considering I'm a vintage fan, and have seen the band around 24 times). Last night, we got the whole of "Forever Changes" excluding "Andmoreagain" and "Good Humour Man", plus "Rainbow in the Storm", "My Little Red Book", "Can't Explain", "She Comes in Colours" and (encore) "Seven and Seven Is". My personal highlight was a totally mindblowing "Live and Let Live".
Concorde 2 is great, both as a venue and because the bar stays open till midnight. After the show, Johnny and Arthur did a lengthy signing. Arthur was smiling, and even took his glasses off. He chatted with people and also posed for photos. Johnny was equally friendly, and has established a rapid reputation as one of the nicest cats on the scene. Arthur even bade us farewell as he made his way to the tour bus. Outside, it was nice to meet the Byrds fans
again (hi guys!), and good to have a quick chat with David Nolte and
Mike Randle (Mike was in total agreement that this was a great show).
Love to all, John E |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jazmaan |
Posted - 10/04/2005 : 03:12:08
The emphasis on Johnny Echols in the adverts and promotion has nothing to do with the relative merits of Johnny or Mike R. nor with any kind of pecking order within the band. It has everything to do with giving Johnny some LONG overdue name-recognition and with letting the European ticket buyers know that they've got a chance to see someone they've never seen before.
This couldn't have worked if both Mike Randall and Johnny Echols weren't both so incredibly gracious, and so incredibly talented that they can complement each other musically without stepping on each other's toes.
These are exciting times for Love fans! |
| Gill |
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 17:05:38
I enjoyed Brighton too, I think the group sound brilliant with the addition of Johnny Echols and Mike still shines on his guitar solos. As regards "Old Man" I think Arthur's voice reached a pure peak sometime during last year's tour and at the moment he hasn't quite reached that high but it still sounds good to me - I don't ask for perfection all the time - just 99% of it!
John E - I seem to recall spending your birthday with you at Liverpool last year as well - looks like I'll be buying you another pint at Islington.
Love
Gill |
| alan |
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 12:36:58
hi again john,
Agree with your take on the Arthur/John/Mike thing, still not 100% on the behind the head playing, but I bow to you superior knowledge of the band and their personalities. By the way I thought "everybody's gotta live" was outstanding.It was a pleasure to meet you in Brighton and look forward to seeing you again in London(I believe this will be sometime around your birthday)!!
all the best Alan. |
| John E |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 18:43:17
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your message. It was good to meet yourself and David in the queque, and I'm glad the gig lived up to your expectations (not that I had any doubts that it would!). Personally, I didn't notice anything weak about "Old Man". However, I have seen Arthur do an extraordinarily passionate rendition of this song. No complaints about Johnny's behind the head guitar playing either...it just brings an extra flourish to his performance. I agree that Mike Randle is also a superb guitarist, and I'm sure that Arthur knows this. I'm presuming the focus on Johnny is by way of introduction, since many people won't have seen him play live before. Look forward to meeting again at the Islington gig on 7/7 - my birthday!
Best wishes, John E
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| alan |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 13:03:32
hi john.I met you in the queque outside i was with my son David.I was a little appriehensive as we had never seen them live before even though i have loved FC since i bought it in 1968.Well i wasn't dissapointed, it was a great show, my son (23) thought they were brilliant as did I, although i also thougt "old man" was a bit weak, but so what, Arthur and the band were absolutley fantastic though I would have liked to have heard Rusty on an acoustic guitar,and Johny Echols playing guitar behind his head was a bit naff and unnecssary.Mike Randall is a superb guitarist and a great showman, Arthur should aknowlledge his solos as he did for Johny Echols.I feel privilaged to have seen this band play and really look forward to seeing them again in Islington in July, hope to meet you again there. Alan and Dave. |
| lillesų |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 19:56:07
gig last night was magical. have been a love fan since I was a kid and it was the first time i saw arthur lee live was afraid of being disappointed. I was so wrong. |
| John E |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 17:16:57
Sorry, four omissions from Brighton track listing - Signed DC, Everybody's Gotta Live/Instant Karma, Singing Cowboy and , of course, My Flash on You. Love, John E |
| John E |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 16:42:10
Hi Fred in Bed and Sunzoomspark!
Fred - glad you enjoyed the show. "My Flash on You" is one of my own very favourite live tracks. Sunzoomspark - It would certainly be good to hear stuff from the albums you mention, but it seems that Arthur is just not interested in doing these. I agree that Queen Elizabeth Hall was one of the great shows, though (good as they were) the Forum and RFH shows were not my favourites. Personal circumstances can play a large part in appreciation...for the second Festival Hall I was a bit tired, and took a girl who wasn't into it.
My other real favourites were the first two Concorde, the two Cambridge shows (especially the second), Shepherd's Bush, and Rocket.
Cheers, John E |
| Fred in Bed |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 16:32:07
Yep, I've gotta say I left the gig with a BIG smile on my face. I thought it went down really well, Arthur seemed in really good spirits and the band looked like they were enjoying themselves. Impressive work all round. My highlights also include Live and Let Live, also My Flash on You. |
| Sunzoomspark |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 16:22:05
Glad you enjoyed yourself. I have to agree - great venue. If a tad hot and not conducive to anyone under 5ft2. Next stop Islington... By the way, the other gigs to which I am comparing last nights are Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Ambassadors Theatre in Dublin and Forum last year, when Arthur's voice was superb. Thought Old Man was very weak. I love seeing these guys, but I wish they'd mine Out Here and Reel to Real and a bit more of Vindicator every now and then. I would have thought Mike would love playing the stuff on Vindicator. |
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