WaterboysFans - Review

LIVE REVIEW
WOLVERHAMPTON, UK - 17TH OCTOBER 2000
BY PETER LENNIE

Set off down the road about an hour later than I was really intending. There
was a holdup round Knutsford and as always it was raining, it always rains
when I drive anywhere after dark. Anyway I found Wolverhampton, then found
somewhere to park by about 8pm, found my way to the Civic Hall only to see
that the show had been moved to the smaller Wulfrun hall, which is just
another part of the same building.

I got in just in time for the support slot from Adam Snyder. Well worth
catching his songs ranged from the thought provoking to the hilarious. Just
him with electric guitar and harmonica, reminded me of an American Billy
Bragg, with a smoother voice ;-) Then came the pre show tape which seemed to
be a pretty dancey avant garde type thing with other snippets inserted.
There was an instrumental Pagan Place and the harmonica solo from Dylan's
Farewell Angelina.

The band came on with a brief hello and into Let It Happen. Dificult to
believe the band had been together so little time as they really seemed to
nail this one. Mike was pretty much like he was on Later, jumping back from
the microphone every now and then. For those who like to know these things
(Mentioning no names ;-) ) Mike was wearing black leather trousers and a
dark red/black shirt that seemed to shimmer in the light. Unfortunately
they'd stuck some monitors in the way so I couldn't check sock colour ;-)

Mike said something about the band being here to play the songs off the new
album, then went into Charlatan's Lament. Sounded very different from the
album, speeded up a lot. Without a pause they were into Glastonbury Song,
which got a whoop of recognition from the crowd. I got the impression all
through that a lot of the crowd hadn't heard the new album yet, maybe they
were waiting to get the £2 off vouchers they gave away in the foyer. Then we
got a rocking version of Strange Boat followed by All The Things She Gave
Me.

Mike told us about a phone call he'd got before the gig at his hotel, the
receptionist had asked him to hold because Jerry Springer was on the line.
Mike said to keep him on the line as he had a song he wanted him to hear,
then went on to mention nailing him to the speaker stack I think. They went
into Dumbing Down the World but Mike stopped the band. They waited for the
'In Hell he lifted up his eyes' line and kicked into the song. Rocking
version but no distortion on the voice, Mike yelled out 'Jerry Springer' and
'Big Brother' between lines.

Next we got a great version of We Are Jonah. One thing I noticed throughout
the show was the change in Richard 'Titch' Naiff. At Greenock he played like
an angel but almost seemed afraid to be on the stage, or that was the
inmpression I got. Tonight he was a real showman, ripping into his keyboards
and taking on the responsibility of being the senior band member. He was
yelling along to the songs, although I don't think he was miked up, and
making dramatic movements of his hands as he really played up a storm. Jonah
was followed by 'The story of Is She Conscious' before Return of Pan. Mike
played some great guitar on this one, as he had on Glastonbury Song, one of
those distinctive solos like nobody else seems to play.

Mike ushered most of the band off stage at this point, apart from Richard,
as a roadie fetched an acoustic guitar. I couldn't make out the song at
first as Mike strummed and Richard left the more exotic sounds at his
disposal to play piano. It turned out to be His Word Is Not His Bond, which
I didn't know they'd been playing acoustically. Next up was When Ye Go Away,
dedicated to someone called Mary. Titch's piano break in the middle went
down well with the crowd roaring approval, like they have each other time
I've seen it.

The remaining band came back out to play the title song from the new album,
My Love Is My Rock. It may have been at this point that Mike asked if anyone
had heard the new album, then said those that hadn't shouldn't be there,
they should be out getting the album. This song keeps it's incredible power
live, it's not like some songs where the volume seems to pierce through. The
sould is so full it seems to totally fill the room until you're engulfed in
it, and just want to throw your head back and scream, or maybe that's just
me ;-) Richard played some Phantom of the Opera organ before the band
launched into a rocking version of Savage Earth Heart. The song slowed right
down, like a lot of live versions do, and Mike recited the Like A Pioneer
piece from the album cover, over the music. The song built up after to a
crescendo and with a quick good night they left the stage.

After a couple of minutes the intro to Don't Bang The Drum came over the PA
and as it ended the band came back on stage. They really ripped into this
one and near the end Mike did the band introductions. Fairly standard stuff
until he got to Tom Windriff on the drums. When he was introduced he did a
little flourish on the drums that seemed to take Mike by surprise. Laughing,
Mike said ' If you're so clever, take us up again'. I think he had to repeat
it before Tom heard. When he did get the message he played hell out of his
kit and the band joined in to bring the song to one of those climaxes the
early 80s bands used to reach during SEH. Mike said they had one more song
before they started Whole Of The Moon. By This time the formerly subdued
crowd were bouncing all over the place. It was a good solid version, seemed
far fuller than on the Later show, filmed a week earlier.

At one point, I forget when, Mike paused for a while, looking a bit
exasperated with all the calls for old songs. Someone yelled 'Anything You
Want' and Mike pointed him out and thanked him. He explained that the band
were 'Going to play their balls off' trying to be the best they could. He
said they had a setlist and didn't do requests, they weren't a jukebox. It
was after that point that the crowd seemed to really get into the show. I
think the exasperation may have been partly because some people didn't seem
to realise The Waterboys weren't a nostalgia act, and partly because with
such a new band there's no way they can have worked up an extensive
repertoir. Still I don't think many people who yell out song titles really
expect the band to play them, it's more just a way of getting into the
concert, almost paying homage to your favourites.

Another great concert night for me, and like the bloke shouted, he can play
anything he wants as far as I'm concerned. The only disappointment is when
the show ends. I drove home with a head full of memories and the new album
blasting on the stereo. I checked the clock at 1am, realised it was
Wednesday and I had another show Thursday. I like tours ;-)