A Beggar on A Beach of Gold Majestic sounding first track. Much better live than on album. It was great, but it should have been much later in the concert - when people had loosened up a little they would have joined in more. At the first concert Paul Young tried ( and failed ) to get people to clap along. At the second concert he didn't bother trying.
Get Up This SHOULD have been the opening song! It really rocked! The bits where PY sang backing vocals to Paul Carrack were great. PC managed to sing, play keyboards and on the second night instruct Geoff Banks on how to clear up some technical problems he was having! What a Pro!
Silent Running low key intro, while maintaining the songs atmospheric feel. Tim Renwick did a wonderful Spanish guitar intro on his acousic guitar. Blistering solo from Rutherford, who up until that moment in time I had always considered a lousy guitarist. The song eventually erupted into the fully blown classic that we all know and love. Paul Young joined in on percussion.
Plain And Simple As you'd expect, brilliant live. Paul Young's singing was genuinely scary! It was so strong, clear and dominant! You'd never believe 5 guys could make so much noise ( unless you've seen Genesis live! ) Young recites the newscasters bits from the instrumental, finishing with the revelation that the weather in California is good!
Over My Shoulder The crowd love it! First sign of sequencers in use, for the drum intro. Paul Carrack belts out a great song, Mike and Tim strum along on acoustic guitars and Paul Young plays bass. The crowd join in with a singalong towards the end.
Another Cup of Coffee Audible sighs of delight as Carrack introduces this album track. A great rendition, with Mike keeping his acoustic guitar and Tim providing the bass line.
Someone Always Hates Someone Faithful rendidtion of this song, but where the album version ends this just keeps on going! A veritable "Wall Of Noise" erupts on stage as the band brake into an instrumental with Paul Young eventually joining in singing the chorus higher than normal. Then back to the song and Young repeats the last verse. What a GREAT song!
You Really Got A Hold On Me Mike introduces this one by telling the crowd how long they've been trying to write a duet for the Pauls. On the first night as Mike is telling the audience of this failure Paul Young interrupts, claiming to have written a duet, to much hilarity on stage! The second night Mike makes a joke out of it. "Ever since our first albums we've been trying to write a duet for the two Pauls to sing. We haven't done it yet." As the rest of the band leave the stage for the beginning of the song Paul Young introduces the two remaining band members as "Duos Paulos". If you are one of the many who I've heard here slagging this track off then you'd be surprised at how good it was. The two Pauls are given free range to show just what exceptionally good singers they really are. The band comes back on and joins in for the end of the song.
Web Of Lies One of my personal favourites, the lights on this were fantastic! Tim Renwick had a great solo and then at the instrumental section the band go into an extended jam! Carrack gets to have fun with his Hammond, and Young is clearly enjoying playing percussion!
Sort of Medley Thing -Everyday The crowd welcome this Sad Cafe song like an old friend. Young gives yet another example of just what a great voice he has.
-How Long The crowd welcome another classic, Ace's "How Long", Carrack easily equalls Young performance, but this is soon surpassed by..
-I Can't Dance The crowd finally erupts! The Mechanics replicate the live version of this song easily with Young belting it out. Who needs Collins anyway? I heard someone say afterwards that Young was a better singer than Phil, and on the basis of this performance I can't really argue. And he's got more hair....
The Living Years The band are on a roll here. Their biggest hit is given an emotional performance with Young, Rutherford and Renwicks backing vocals being drowned out by the audience. On the second night there was a bit of a mistake when the wrong tape was played, and we got to hear the drums for I can't dance again. Paul Carrack seemed to find this hilarious.
All I need Is A Miracle. A great song for a finale. Paul Young screams some "Gabrielese" into his microphone to simulate the vocal intro. A rousing song is extended into a singalong. Before you know what's happening Young has you singing "Give it to me baby"! The song ends with Young singing "All I ne-ed is you". Abrupt ending, flash of lights and much applause.
Encore - Word Of Mouth As the Mechanics return to the stage Paul Young tells us that this our "last chance to get your rocks off". A rousing run through this crowd pleaser, complete with singalong and waving of arms ( "From the West Side, to the East side.." ) The crowd love it, the mechanics belt it out. All to soon it's over and we wander out into the night...
All in all a great show. Go and see them if you can or regret it forever. Gary Wallis is a solid drummer (albeit one with an alarming habit of hurling drum sticks into the wings during songs. Renwick provides some blistering guitar work, on acoustic, electric and bass. Young and Carrack are truly great singers, and Rutherford proves that he is not only a great guitarist but a skilled musician. They were on Top of the Pops last night. I didn't video it. Damn.
Stew