Opinions, opinions, opinions….

“Everybody is entitled to my opinion” – although you may not agree….

In a former job, I had a mug, in which I was fed coffee every morning. On it said “Everybody is entitled to my opinion.” It used to make many people laugh, because I’m outspoken, I’d offer my opinion -but that didn’t mean to say everyone had to agree.

All I did was offer the best from what I saw, and from my life experience. I’m also big enough to take into consideration others views and perspectives and take them on board, and know that you too have your own opinion. And you may not agree with mine. And that’s absolutely fine.

As you can see from my blog I regularly review gigs. I would love to say everyone I go to is fantastic, I had a whale of a time, you must all rush out and see them. Reviewing gigs gives me the opportunity to see lots of very different acts, in different venues and live the experience. I also get to see acts that may not be my first choice in music taste, those of us that love seeing live music will have genres or acts we’re fans of, other acts are an opportunity to experience something new or different.

When I review a gig I take into consideration a wide variety of things – did they perform well, did they engage with the crowd, what was the crowd reaction, what’s the venue like, what little events happened, and given the face value of the ticket, would I recommend to ‘a friend’ what can be a lot of money, going to see them. The audience response is important to me, the particular act may not be my scene, but if the crowd are blown away, I will say so.

I’ve been going to live music for more years than I can count, seen hundreds of bands crossing across pretty much every genre, for most of that as a paying punter. Your average ticket price is around £25 -£30 for a mid- range venue, so for two tickets that’s £50-£60 plus booking fee, plus all the other costs – many gigs these days are not the cheapest night out – so I know as a punter, you become more selective who you see.

So for those that were there at any gig I review, I hopefully want to give a feel of the night, and those little things that make you smile. For those who weren’t there, what you missed,  to give a feel for if it’s worth you taking the effort when they come round again. Or for those looking for something new, whether it’s worth taking a punt.

I don’t get paid for writing reviews, however, I do get access to gigs. When I’m putting a review together I do try and check I’ve got information as correct as possible in any review. Sometimes errors sneak through, and if I’ve got something wrong, sorry about that. There will always be someone who knows more that I about a particular band.

But it’s something I really enjoy doing. I love the experience and hooking up with new people and the talented photographers who turn up to the gig to take the pictures you look at.  I really enjoy the ability of seeing something new. Few people have the courage to put their views down for others to read, even though they have an opinion. As I’ve said I would love to say every gig I have been to has been fantastic. The best thing since sliced bread. Whether it be my favouritist band in the world, or one I’ve experienced for the first time. But sometimes, that’s just not the case, for a variety of reasons. And I will express that view, yet try and be balanced.  It is, at the end of the day, my opinion. You may disagree. And that’s absolutely fine…..

Peter Frampton @ The Symphony Hall, 15th November 2011

Okay – I’m busy at these here gigs! Another gig for Birmingham Live! This time at the splendicious Symphony Hall.

To another refined gig at the wonderful Symphony Hall – a celebration of the recordings from 35 years ago – so for the third time in less than a week I’m transported to ’76, tonight it’s to Peter Frampton showcasing ‘The Frampton Comes Alive’ 35th Anniversary Tour.

Originally released in January 1976, ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ is one of the best-selling live albums in chart history spending 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and selling in excess of 17 million copies worldwide.
Previously a member of Humble Pie and The Herd, Frampton went solo in ’71 and since then he’s produced fourteen solo albums. He’s lucky to be here  – he survived a near fatal car crash in ’78. A regular on the touring circuit, he’s worked with a variety of artists including Bowie, members of Pearl Jam, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, to name but a few.

Tonight’s gig starts at 7.40pm with the first track from his classic album – ‘Somethings Happening.’ He starts as he means to go on – half way through the vocals for ‘Dobbie Wah’ a question “How’s that for you friends?” Third track in – a recognizable hit – ‘Show Me The Way’ – great rendition, the audience clap along.

“Thank you very much indeed – nice to be back. Home to Steve Winwood and Ozzy – been here many times – I’ve always loved playing here….” Frampton is chatty and engaging and refers to the days of vinyl, when you’re now at the end of side one and you have to get up from your spliff and turn the record over, before crashing back into your seat. … “That’s what I heard anyway…” he says with a cheeky grin.

The band are tight, Frampton’s guitar playing exquisite and mesmerizing, shown to it’s full potential in one of the best sound auditorium’s in the country. He comes across as a really lovely guy, clearly enjoying what he does. ‘(I’ll Give You) Money’ has rolling guitar solos, dueling onstage with fellow axesmith Adam Lester.

Then into a bluesy, laid back version of Humble Pie’s ‘Shine On’ before it morphs into The Stones ‘Jumping Jack Flash’, flicking a plectrum into the audience as he finishes the song.  ‘Do You Fell Like I Do’ has on screen accompaniment DO… YOU…. YOU… FEEL LIKE I DO…intermixed with pictures of fans holding the original vinyl album and some footage of his incarnation on “The Simpsons”. And includes the use of his wah-wah voice-box, a line on screen fluctuating with the sounds he makes…. “Can you understand what I’m saying…” fascinating to hear and listen to as his voice meanders in accompaniment to his guitar.

First part of the night over – time for an intermission, where a voiceover from Frampton invites us to “… take a break, go for a pee and come back in 20 minutes.”

Back on and we have more cartoon footage – this time an incarnation on “Family Guy,” followed by a series of instrumentals from the ‘Fingerprints’ CD – “Where I didn’t sing a note and they gave me an award…”

Next up from his new CD ‘Thank you Mr. Churchill’ he’s joined by son Julian on stage to sing the vocals on ‘Road to the Sun.’ Very late 70s / early 80s traditional rock – think Priest / Zeppelin / early Maiden. “Dunno how he got that tall….. (glint in the eye)… he pats me on the head now….”

And now to the song I’d heard he would do and was a bit nervous about, being a fan, a cover of Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun’. There was no singing (besides a section on the voice box) but all in all, it was heavy with a psychedelic nuance – and it worked. “That was written by Chris Cornell and Soundgarden….” (The audience clearly have NO CLUE who either Cornell or Soundgarden are) “…. they’re currently touring and will be coming here soon.” (Me – Oh goodie! Excited now!)

Then an intro to the rest of the band, including “Mr. Stanley Shelton” (the only surviving member of the Frampton band from the 70’s) and into anther Humble Pie song ‘Four Day Creep’ and they’re off, a group hug on stage and a bow to the audience who give a standing ovation – they’ve clearly enjoyed it.

Back on for one last track, Frampton walks on stage playing the ‘Jaws’ theme tune, and meanders on his guitar before launching into a stunning version of Beatles track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps’  – the stand out track of the night.

“See you in the summer – keep on coming, this is wonderful…” and as they leave the stage, a nice touch, credits, not only of the band members but of all those involved in the tour, scroll up the screen.

Frampton is a genuinely nice guy, massively talented (while many people may not include him in their top list of guitar exponents in this country, they clearly should) and has a genuine infectious enthusiasm for what he does. Gone is the rock spirally perm look – but the passion and skill very much remain. I found myself nodding and foot-tapping to tracks, without realizing, and his is very transfixing on stage, whether you appreciate his axesmith abilities or not. And pretty much a three hour show….he gave us a show that was relevant, he used screens to the full, he engaged, he clearly enjoyed it. This audience was fifties / sixties, but I would say – even if you know little by him – well worth taking a peek when he’s around in the summer….

*****************
Setlist:

[Frampton Comes Alive - in its entirety]

Something’s Happening
Doobie Wah
Lines on my Face
Show me the way
It’s a Plain Shame
Wind of Change
Penny for your Thoughts
All I want To Be (Is By Your Side)
Baby I Love Your Way
I Wanna Go to the Sun
(I’ll Give You) Money
Shine On (Humbie Pie)
Jumping Jack Flash (Rolling Stones Cover)
Do You Feel Like We Do

Encore 1:
Included:
Asleep at the Wheel
Road to the Sun
Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden Cover)
Four Day Creep (Humble Pie)

Encore 2:
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles Cover)

*****************
Listening:
Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)

*****************

Evanescence + The Pretty Reckless @ O2 Academy, Sunday 13th November 2011

Another review for Birmingham Live! This time to goth rock.  Read the full review here with pics by Ian Dunn.

Another day, another gig, tonight it’s to rock gothic melodrama and a packed O2 Academy. Out promoting their new self-titled album, on their final date of their UK tour, Amy Lee and her support crew are here to bring Birmingham to life – it’s time for Evanescence.

We arrive tonight in time to catch the last half of support act The Pretty Reckless. Fronted by actress (Gossip Girl)/ model/ singer Taylor Momsen, she has vocals crossed between Juliette Lewis, Courtney Love and Joan Jett. ‘My Medicine’ is followed by their heavy, heavy version of The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’. Then to a huge clap and cheer, their first song ever released on download, ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ to which we all sing along.  This band was created around Momsen only last year, and various people at tonight’s gig tweeted there were paparazzi hanging around to grab a sneaky photo. Best support I’ve seen in a while, look out for The Pretty Reckless, methinks they will be The Pretty Next Big Thing in rock n’ roll.

Formed just six years ago by Amy Lee and Ben Moody, Evanescence’s first album ‘Fallen’ had stratospheric sales: over 17m albums worldwide (winning a vast series of awards including two Grammys) driven by huge hit ‘Bring Me To Life’ (with vocal support from Paul McCoy of 12 Stones). Their follow-up album, ‘The Open Door’ continued that success with sales over 6 million.

The band line up has changed entirely since they started out – Evanescence these days is Amy Lee supported by Tony Balsamo (guitar), Tim McCord (bass), Troy McLawhon (rhythm guitar) and Will Hunt (drums).

So just after 9pm, to dry ice and a huge amount of screams, on come Evanescence, opening up with the first single from the new album ‘What You Want’ with a loud bass riff; the crowd bounce bounce bouncing along.

Tonight’s audience is young – predominantly mid teens to early twenties and, unusually for a rock gig, a very female audience. Enthusiastic, they are keen to sing along at any given opportunity. Next track in, Evanescence hit ‘Going Under’ which goes down even better with the crowd. Lee: “Thank you! Having a great time tonight….. Thank you for getting our new album to number 1 in the UK…!”

Tonight’s set swings between Lee walking round stage punching her arm in the air, or sitting at a piano at the front of the stage, the later unusual to see in a rock band.  The set rolls on, great response from the adoring crowd; Lee comments how pleased she is by the crowd’s response to the new stuff. “Thank you very much – it makes my heart feel very warm to hear you singing along to a new song! Here’s another one….”

The set finishes on that massive single  ‘Bring Me To Life’ (without male accompaniment – the crowd fill in the missing bits). The crowd is ecstatic and during the break eagerly responds with a chant of “we want more, we want more….”

Back on stage, Lee: “This is our last night of our tour in the UK, tomorrow night it’s Paris…” and an acknowledgement to touring fans that have followed her round the UK. And then into the three track encore – ‘Never Go Back’, ‘Your Star’ and another hit and very probably the standout track of the night ‘My Immortal.’  Here, as during parts of tonight’s gig, lighters are replaced by mobile phones, as swathes of the crowd attempt to film the song.  Huge cheer and clapping as the set is completed – after just 1 hour and 10 minutes – “See ya next year!” promises Lee.

Evanescence had massive success on their first album. 17 million + sales worldwide and 43 weeks in the Billboard Top 10 is pretty incredible. They have brought gothic rock to the masses and brought in a young, female crowd, who will hopefully seek to experience more that rock and metal has to offer. If you like Evanescence they give you exactly what you would expect, they have followed ‘Bring Me To Life’ template to the letter – there is no deviation from their gothic metal, ethereal sound, they are louder and harder rock than on record. It’s clearly a formula that works for Lee and her gang.  Tonight I thought they were good, not great, and that the ticket price of £28.50 a pop for me was a tad steep. However, for those who adore Evanescence, and you clearly do, you clearly had a blast.

*************
Setlist:

1. What You Want
2. Going Under
3. The Other Side
4. Weight of the World
5. The Change
6. Made of Stone
7. Lost in Paradise
8. My Heart is Broken
9. Lithium
10. Sick
11. Ocean
12. Call Me When You’re Sober
13. Imaginary
14. Bring Me To Life

Encore:
15. Never Go Back
16. Your Star
17. My Immortal

*************************
Listening:
The Fallen (2003)
The Open Door (2006)
Evanescence (2011)

***************************