Hello,
I am so,so pleased to report that this reunion did not disappoint or sully any reputations.The atmosphere for both nights was something else in that you could almost feel the absolute love and goodwill for these guys,especially considering Dale 'Buffin' Griffin's Alzheimers-induced situation.
Saturday's set-list:
Jupiter (intro)
Hymn For The Dudes
Rock'n'Roll Queen
Sweet Jane
One Of The Boys
Sucker
The Moon Upstairs
The Original Mixed Up Kid (Sit-down, acoustic)
I Wish I Was Your Mother (Sit-down, acoustic)
Ready For Love (Mick, lead vocal)
Born Late '58 (Pete, lead vocal/lead guitar, Ian on bass)
Ballad Of Mott
Angeline
Walking With A Mountain
The Journey (Ian takes to piano)
Golden Age of Rock'n'Roll (Stan, Tracie etc... backing vox)
Honaloochie Boogie
All The Way From Memphis
Encores...
Roll Away The Stone
All The Young Dudes
You Keep A Knockin'
Friday's was pretty much the same,meaning that the guys played for two hours.Fantastic!I remeber snatches of 'Jumping Jack Flash' amongst it all.
So here are a few snapshots from the two shows,in no order at all:
-Mick Ralphs had two of the most beautiful Les Pauls with him and he played some note-perfect stuff,as well as cranking-up a wll-of-sound on occasion.Is it me,or does MR resemble a bigger version of Alfie Bass?
-The Pretenders' drummist,Martin Chambers was the perfect dep for Buffin,even indulging in some Moon-style bouncing and catching sticks,which is something that Buffin used to do I'm told.During the encores when the second kit was unveiled and Buffin took his place,it was Martin who looked after him:I cannot tell you how affecting this was.
-Pete 'Overend' Watts was a revelation to me-he was such good value in the way that he was constantly engaging the folks down at the front,pointing at them,joking and generally mugging away.Plus he played his bass flawlessly,and even swapped places with Ian for a song last night.He was generous enough to say that I.H. was worryingly good on bass.Ian seemed pleased to be back centre-stage after that!
-Ian Hunter is such a natural as a front-man,I know.His champagne flute was drained a few times and he really seemed to be enjoying himself,as did the rest of them.My good friend and protege Ross Halfin walked past me on Saturday night (as did Joe 'Def' Elliot):his diary is worth a read,here.Strange,he doesn't mention me.Other guests included Jimmy Page,Mick Jones (down the front with the rest of us) and Noel Gallagher.Ian took the piss by saying that he was honoured to have N.G. turn-up on Thursday and that he'd paly an Oasis tune as thank-you...he then launched into one of Mott's own songs...ouch!
-The sometimes overlooked Verden Allen provided the crucial Hammond sounds and had a ball over on the wing.
Both nights rated 25/10,with Saturday's edging it very,very slightly.
Forgive this indulgence...the band exceeded my hopes!
...and Saturday's efforts,
Thanks go this great bunch!
Cheers,
Si.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009-10-04 22:21 by SimonN.