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otiselevator
Third Love
United Kingdom
61 Posts |
 Posted - 10/07/2005 : 00:54:11
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Saw the band on friday night at The Stables in Milton Keynes and let me tell you.....they rocked! As a Love fan for thirty five years no one was more disappointed than me to hear that Arthur hadn't showed but what we got instead was a great show with the band on top form making the most of Arthur (and Bryan's) fabulous songs. Rusty sang his heart out as an amazing substitute for Arthur and the band gave it their all. And there was Johnny Echols. Not only does he play great guitar but the man can sing too. What has he been doing for the past thirty years? Signed DC was awesome and Revelation was just that. The long lost Gethsemene album sounds like an Echols solo record and is apparently in the pipeline....he's clearly a shy man but he and the whole band stuck around after the show to sign records and talk to fans. You couldn't meet a nicer or more genuine bunch. "The Castle" supremo David Housden and his wife Chris were there too....Hi David from David and Annie in St Albans.....and all in all if you're thinking of cancelling.....DON'T!
Meanwhile, let's tell Arthur we LOVE him and hope to see him in the Autumn. And to Arthur AND the band......there's a whole stack of songs you haven't even tried yet.......how about "Gather Round" from "Out There" for starters......?
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Edited by - otiselevator on 10/07/2005 00:57:46 |
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TheElephantMan
Second Love
27 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2005 : 01:20:47
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The band are fantastic (they're really passionate about the music), but get well soon Arthur. I enjoyed the Arthur-less gig at Liverpool, but would like to think that I'll get the opportunity to see Mr Lee again sometime soon.
Ian. |
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legtrailer
First Love
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2005 : 11:22:57
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Couldnt let the weekend pass without saying that the band's concert on Friday at the Stables was just fabulous - all the good stuff played and sung so well. Rusty and the lads didnt put a foot (or note) wrong and the whole thing was a treat to see and hear - From 'Orange Skies' to 'Come in Colours' plus all the rest, with an a showstoppingly awesome 'DC' (and a poigniant twist in Johns last line lyric - "signed A Lee").
I'm not convinced about Revalation (but then its never been my favourite) but how about including 'Hey Joe' another time.
Can't wait for the next visit |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2005 : 16:17:52
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Glad you enjoyed it. I've noticed over the years that 'Revelation' seems to divide people, they either love it or hate it. I've always enjoyed it, but guess you can't please everybody  |
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otiselevator
Third Love
United Kingdom
61 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2005 : 00:50:52
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| Yeah, on reflection my enthusiasm probably got the better of me about Revelation at The Stables although I'm one of the minority who like the original, especially the sax solo. Still the Arthur-less Love turned in a fine show which proves: A: The songs are fantastic, B: the band are brilliant at bringing them to life but they need the main man to lift the performance from very good to truly great. Come back soon Love WITH Arthur Lee. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2005 : 02:08:50
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| Just got back from the Frome gig and have to say 'Otis', I totally disagree with you. Everyone there, I spoke to, felt it was the best Love gig they've been to in ages (and there were some of us there who have been to quite a few) Yep, on a good night Arthur can be a great performer but the good nights have got increasingly rare of late and, I have to say, that tonight I didn't, for one moment, think there was anyone missing. That was a fantastic gig and I hope everyone I managed to persuade to go in enjoyed it to. Good crowd, some really nice, friendly people. |
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jimofbath
First Love
11 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2005 : 23:03:54
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Went to the Frome gig last night. Was gutted to hear that Arthur would not be appearing, although more concerned about his physical and mental well-being to be honest.
Nearly didn't go in - I thought it was a bit cheeky not to reduce the ticket price, although I understand this was not the band's decision.
Stood at the door for a while with Mike Randle and The Painted Lady persuading us to go in - of course I knew it would be a great show, it's just that I'm broke and I was so disappointed.
The show was of course great. Rusty's Arthur Lee impression was incredible. That is not supposed to be derogatory because it was an impression and a bloody good one.
I will support this band no matter what happens next. And just maybe one day I will get to buy Mike a beer! |
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jimofbath
First Love
11 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2005 : 23:04:24
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Went to the Frome gig last night. Was gutted to hear that Arthur would not be appearing, although more concerned about his physical and mental well-being to be honest.
Nearly didn't go in - I thought it was a bit cheeky not to reduce the ticket price, although I understand this was not the band's decision.
Stood at the door for a while with Mike Randle and The Painted Lady persuading us to go in - of course I knew it would be a great show, it's just that I'm broke and I was so disappointed.
The show was of course great. Rusty's Arthur Lee impression was incredible. That is not supposed to be derogatory because it was an impression and a bloody good one.
I will support this band no matter what happens next. And just maybe one day I will get to buy Mike a beer! |
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jimofbath
First Love
11 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2005 : 23:05:46
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oops!
sorry about the double post - forum acted a bit knob when i clicked "Post New Reply"
talk about making a great first impression! |
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otiselevator
Third Love
United Kingdom
61 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 02:25:03
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However good the band are.....and they're VERY good.....I don't really think anyone can say it's LOVE without Arthur Lee. I haven't seen any of his "dodgy" performances although I do possess a couple of his later albums that vary from brilliant to dire (Reel to Real anyone?). The two shows I have seen...Royal Festival Hall and St Albans.....were both tremendous but given his reputation it's not a great surprise things should start to go wrong just when he was on the crest of a wave......
All credit to Rusty and the crew for turning in some great shows. I only hope Arthur knows how lucky he is..... |
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jimmyboy
Fourth Love
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 04:28:47
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| hey Otis! i kinda like the 'LOVE without ARTHUR LEE' billing. It shows a bit of humor,sarcastic humor as well as it is an honest fact.'LOVE featuring JOHNNY ECHOLS' would be perfectly fine as well. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 08:29:00
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Jim - glad you enjoyed the gig and ou'gentle persuasion' wasn't too much for you ;-) 'The Painted Lady' that's a new one, though it's not 'paint' everyone is real
Have to say they aren't really billing themselves as 'Love without Arthur Lee', funny though that is, I think the name, at the moment, is 'The Love Band with Johnny Echols', though this may change in time.
As for the person saying they aren't 'Love' without Arthur, well, like yourself, I've never witnessed a really bad show by Arthur (well, not one live anyway) but I can't see how you can say they aren't 'Love'? That band has been playing as 'Love' longer than any previous incarnation, for years they have been billed as 'Love with Arthur Lee'..if they aren't 'Love' then who are they? |
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Singing Cowboy
First Love
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 11:30:41
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| If the dreadful Alex Harvey Band managed to survive as "SAHB without Alex" then "Love without Arthur" should cope. I was at Frome on Sunday, and found the whole experience to be excellent, (excepting the £2.40 for a pint of watered down Coke) and in no way a disappointment. Nice to hear the very old stuff; "My Little Red Book" was superb. I doubt that I have ever heard such a heartfelt piece of singing as "Signed D.C." John should sing more; or perhaps, because it couldn't be bettered, he should leave things as they are. Blistering guitar too; I have always loved the solo on "Live & Let Live" (John Echolls discovers feedback)and on Sunday I could have been back in 1968. Cheers also due to every other Band member. Never liked "Revelation" but it was oddly tolerable. A wonderful evening justifying my decision to give my REM ticket to my Daughter because Love were in Town. I think I got the better deal. |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 13:00:01
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I have to agree with you on 'Signed DC', Johnny has made it a very moving piece, especially with the altered ending, very appropriate.
I reckon you by far had the better deal over REM |
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Love without Arthur
