Newcastle - Better than ever
Dec 7, 2017 17:50:58 GMT
4th Chord, Whoppa Choppa, and 7 more like this
Post by paradiseflats on Dec 7, 2017 17:50:58 GMT
Status Quo returned last night to one of the truly iconic British music venues. Newcastle City Hall.
The place where I first saw the band on the End of the Road tour. Maybe in the 70s as some report the band played to less than full houses here. I wasn't there but what I can say I have never been to a Status Quo gig with so few people in attendance. But when the lights went down. I was surrounded by Status Quo fans, people of all ages but where I was there was mostly people who were closer to their pension than puberty. But so it goes with classic rock.
Around 9, out go the lights and the Drone starts. So familiar. The band walk on. Richie plays one of Status Quo's iconic riffs. In an instant it is there for all to hear. He can play he has talent but he is no machine. Rick had a great right hand. He truly thrashed that guitar to create those riffs. It was a shadow of the riff machine. But to be fair who else could do it that way. Well no one.
Its the modern world and the sound was pretty good, but how quiet. You could hear people singing along and hear the clapping. Would have been nice if it had been in time and in tune. AHH the days of loud music, where you heard the roar of the crowd but apart from when the sound came down for the sing along bits you could hear nothing but a wall of sound. Those were the days. Before fudds turned up to gigs with hearing protectors in . Can't imagine, listening to a band through those, but hey each to their own.
Next up Something about you baby. Never a favourite. All I can say is Francis get Richie to sing more and Rhino less. He simply doesn't have the voice to match Rick's lines. Swiftly onto Rain. An iconic song for Rick and the band. Rhino's vocal was ok, almost spoken word but the guitars lacked the power and reverb of the classic version or even the last time I saw Francis and Rick's Status Quo.
Little Lady sang by Richie next. He has a canny voice. Not bad well apart from their lack of power running into Francis's solo. Once a great moment live now with his new guitar, good but not heavy at all. Francis speak. He has a great connection with the crowd, or at least the first three rows. All about the drugs. And into Softer ride. Not bad and goes along in the canny way it always have.
Beginning of the end. Usually a toilet break song. But no alcohol in my system, I sit and listen its ok. Sub ELO to me and I am not keen on them.
The medley swings by, followed by the classic Paper plane. Its here I notice, there is no longer a rock set piece in the set. Give Richie a chance, let him sing Big Fat Mamma. Its omission makes the set so one dimension. Very little shade, too much lighter side. It is what Francis wants clearly. But it is so polite, polite Dad rock. I have to admit I prefer my rock music, more down and dirty. Gritty. Music for the working man. But Francis won't know what that is like he has been in the bubble for so long. It is all so polished. The drummer talented guy, but you couldn't feel the bass drum or the bass lines. I know its me. I prefer how music used to rock.
Onto the Oriental. Some how they feel more comfortable on this and Creepin. Not the best songs on Heavy Traffic. What about Heavy Traffic. Was much better live. The new songs are a decade and a half old.
Rick gets a name check and his love of cars. Don't drive my car has been turned into a mess of a shuffle. The highlight of the song. Well its gone. No solo to speak of. Quite like Andy's bluesy vocal.
And into the hit section. Can't stand In the Army now, never liked it. But it passes quick enough. Rollover lacks drive and passion. Far far too quiet. Down Down a classic. Rhino won't like me saying this but one of the greatest UK singles of all time and certainly one of the heaviest number 1 singles. And onto Rockin, the staged poses to end the song. One last pointy finger from Rossi and they are finished. They certainly went down well with the crowd. But most of us had paid £60 for the privilege. Not going to get many casual punters in with those prices. Francis says they polled the fans and they said they wanted this electric show. Well does any one know anyone who was asked or polled. Or even anyone who emailed them. Derry have you been emailing again.
Out for the encore. And old favourite called erm.. Don't waste my time. A great great song. Which Francis butchers the solo on. Not keen on his bending string and tapping technique. A truly great solo but not tonight. Onto Burnin Bridges. Goes down really well. Just not with me. Lots of bouncing apart from those already putting their hats and coats on. A rapid run through a rapid Rock n Roll music and the chorus of Bye Bye Johnny.
And off they go, to on tonight's evidence a diminishing loyal army of fans enjoyed their night out. Maybe if the tickets were more sensibly priced they would have filled the venue more.
It wan't as bad as I thought but all the usual failings to me were there. They have a void as deep as a Black hole to fill. And for me they can't do it. Others will disagree and that is fair enough. You pays your money.
I paid to see an Aquostic set, I didn't get what I paid for or asked for. They are a decent band just no longer for me. Good to end it with close friends and glad I was able to go. Although shattered today. For those who have hung in and read it all.. nice one, if you didn't your life won't now be complete. Sorry I am too tired to proof read this now. Publish and be damned.
The place where I first saw the band on the End of the Road tour. Maybe in the 70s as some report the band played to less than full houses here. I wasn't there but what I can say I have never been to a Status Quo gig with so few people in attendance. But when the lights went down. I was surrounded by Status Quo fans, people of all ages but where I was there was mostly people who were closer to their pension than puberty. But so it goes with classic rock.
Around 9, out go the lights and the Drone starts. So familiar. The band walk on. Richie plays one of Status Quo's iconic riffs. In an instant it is there for all to hear. He can play he has talent but he is no machine. Rick had a great right hand. He truly thrashed that guitar to create those riffs. It was a shadow of the riff machine. But to be fair who else could do it that way. Well no one.
Its the modern world and the sound was pretty good, but how quiet. You could hear people singing along and hear the clapping. Would have been nice if it had been in time and in tune. AHH the days of loud music, where you heard the roar of the crowd but apart from when the sound came down for the sing along bits you could hear nothing but a wall of sound. Those were the days. Before fudds turned up to gigs with hearing protectors in . Can't imagine, listening to a band through those, but hey each to their own.
Next up Something about you baby. Never a favourite. All I can say is Francis get Richie to sing more and Rhino less. He simply doesn't have the voice to match Rick's lines. Swiftly onto Rain. An iconic song for Rick and the band. Rhino's vocal was ok, almost spoken word but the guitars lacked the power and reverb of the classic version or even the last time I saw Francis and Rick's Status Quo.
Little Lady sang by Richie next. He has a canny voice. Not bad well apart from their lack of power running into Francis's solo. Once a great moment live now with his new guitar, good but not heavy at all. Francis speak. He has a great connection with the crowd, or at least the first three rows. All about the drugs. And into Softer ride. Not bad and goes along in the canny way it always have.
Beginning of the end. Usually a toilet break song. But no alcohol in my system, I sit and listen its ok. Sub ELO to me and I am not keen on them.
The medley swings by, followed by the classic Paper plane. Its here I notice, there is no longer a rock set piece in the set. Give Richie a chance, let him sing Big Fat Mamma. Its omission makes the set so one dimension. Very little shade, too much lighter side. It is what Francis wants clearly. But it is so polite, polite Dad rock. I have to admit I prefer my rock music, more down and dirty. Gritty. Music for the working man. But Francis won't know what that is like he has been in the bubble for so long. It is all so polished. The drummer talented guy, but you couldn't feel the bass drum or the bass lines. I know its me. I prefer how music used to rock.
Onto the Oriental. Some how they feel more comfortable on this and Creepin. Not the best songs on Heavy Traffic. What about Heavy Traffic. Was much better live. The new songs are a decade and a half old.
Rick gets a name check and his love of cars. Don't drive my car has been turned into a mess of a shuffle. The highlight of the song. Well its gone. No solo to speak of. Quite like Andy's bluesy vocal.
And into the hit section. Can't stand In the Army now, never liked it. But it passes quick enough. Rollover lacks drive and passion. Far far too quiet. Down Down a classic. Rhino won't like me saying this but one of the greatest UK singles of all time and certainly one of the heaviest number 1 singles. And onto Rockin, the staged poses to end the song. One last pointy finger from Rossi and they are finished. They certainly went down well with the crowd. But most of us had paid £60 for the privilege. Not going to get many casual punters in with those prices. Francis says they polled the fans and they said they wanted this electric show. Well does any one know anyone who was asked or polled. Or even anyone who emailed them. Derry have you been emailing again.
Out for the encore. And old favourite called erm.. Don't waste my time. A great great song. Which Francis butchers the solo on. Not keen on his bending string and tapping technique. A truly great solo but not tonight. Onto Burnin Bridges. Goes down really well. Just not with me. Lots of bouncing apart from those already putting their hats and coats on. A rapid run through a rapid Rock n Roll music and the chorus of Bye Bye Johnny.
And off they go, to on tonight's evidence a diminishing loyal army of fans enjoyed their night out. Maybe if the tickets were more sensibly priced they would have filled the venue more.
It wan't as bad as I thought but all the usual failings to me were there. They have a void as deep as a Black hole to fill. And for me they can't do it. Others will disagree and that is fair enough. You pays your money.
I paid to see an Aquostic set, I didn't get what I paid for or asked for. They are a decent band just no longer for me. Good to end it with close friends and glad I was able to go. Although shattered today. For those who have hung in and read it all.. nice one, if you didn't your life won't now be complete. Sorry I am too tired to proof read this now. Publish and be damned.
Do you know this band? I know you like the heavier side of rock.
