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Re: (TV) The Sage - Gateshead.
Nice review Graham and very accurate
I was there also
Its a venue that suits some but not others.
If you want to 'hear' music, its great
If you want to see an 'event'. Its not so good
Patti Smith REALLY hated it a few years ago, said to me after the show it
was like playing in a morgue. Opinion is really divided about the venue.
Last night, the mate I was with left half way through cos he was fed up with
waiting for Tom to tune his guitar! I told him today that was part of the
performance, and I loved it. My (younger) mate said he should get an
electronic tuner. I said naaa, it's part of the charm. Tom wants to tune his
guitar by ear, and Im happy for him to do so.
On Jimmy's hat, which is causing such a commotion (:O) I thought he looked
the business, and encouraged the crowd as he was leaving the stage to keep
cheering cos they'd do 'one more' if we did. I thought he was great, like a
lean mean Tom Waits. Of course Fred and Billy were awesome as ever, with
Billy using the side of the drums as percussive instruments at times, which
was superb.
I was stood right in front of Tom and I loved his performance. At such close
quarters there was even some real emotion during some moments, in LJJ 'he
don't know NOTHIN!'. It was superb. Tom was chirpy, as you say Graham, and
did enjoy the set, you could see he did. Certainly from where I was
standing, 3 feet in front of him.
Song to add - Foxhole
My only regret? They didn't do 'Days' and 'The Dream's Dream'. But thats my
ONLY downer of the whole night.
AND....I was sober enough to enjoy all of it and remember it tonight! I feel
forgiven for my shameful night at Shepherd's Bush so many years ago and felt
honoured to stand so close to the band to hear them through the amps and not
the PA!
AndyF
----- Original Message -----
From: "Graham Urquhart" <gurquhart@madasafish.com>
To: <tv@obbard.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:23 PM
Subject: (TV) The Sage - Gateshead.
Well made it to the Sage in Gateshead with about 10 mins to spare.
Wondering on the way down from Edinburgh whether it would be worth it. A
bit apprehensive about the venue initially. Very modern concert hall. All
seating. Mmm.
Nice buzz in the hall as the bells started chiming out over the PA. An
usher yelled "quiet" and we waited for another few minutes before they
ambled on.
They were utterly magnificent.
A lot of the usual stage tics from Tom (almost) absent. No lengthy tune
up. A quick check and started off with 'The Sea' I think. New song anyway
and slow and gorgeous. Between song tuning quite minimal. Think Tom must
be getting the hang of his headstock tuner. No complaints from him about
the lights which were quite subdued throughout. Blues and reds mostly. No
white spots. Didn't keep a running list of the set but these were all
played at some point: 1880 or So; Venus; Guiding Light; Little Johnny
Jewel; Friction; See No Evil; Glory; Elevation; Prove It; Persia; Marquee
Moon. I'm Gonna Find You. May have missed some. Played for well over an 90
mins.
Tom looked almost relaxed and was relatively chirpy throughout. At one
point he commented about being worried how it would sound out front - "big
roof" but then said that it was sounding great on stage. He joked about
not finding the right pick as he searched his pockets. His guitar playing
was sublime, lots of extended improvisation. Jimmy is solid and delivers
but unlikely to really surprise and Fred and Billy just top notch. The
more you listen to Billy you realise he must be one of the most
under-rated drummers around. Tight and inventive. More Elvin Jones than a
rock drummer.
Crowd reaction was ecstatic. Standing ovations and everyone I chatted to
very happy. Two encores and the band seemed genuinely warmed by the
response. Given the venue which also hosts classical concerts etc, the
sound was pretty pristine and actually was a pretty good environment to
see them in. Maybe it's an age thing where sitting down doesn't seem such
a bad idea. Hopefully someone will have taped it.
Had to buy a t-shirt. Only once I got home did I realise that it has the
Australian dates listed on the back. I can hear Tom's voice in my head:
"Just flog em in the UK. No-one will notice".
Cheers
Graham
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