As I have mentioned in posts past, I'm the crew supervisor for Tommy, here in Offenbach. My job was too make sure that nothing happened to our set for Tommy, when those rowdy boys "Mike and the Mechanics" showed up. It was a very peaceful day, herding the free lance workers, covering our stage floor and it's many tracks for automated scenery, putting all the scenery away, hanging a piece of black velour on our truss and trying to keep the M+M crew comfortable in our little theater. One problem the germans forgot to get the proper cable to power the monitor racks, that slowed us up a little. Their only real complaint was that they couldn't ride our mechanical pinball machine. (The operator had the day off and went to Amsterdam, another story.... I digress).
Near 6:00 the band shows up for sound check. It's Mike's wife Angie's birthday, and she is with him on this trip. They're set up in our star's dressing room, it's cozy but everyone is in a good mood considering England won in the Rugby World Cup the day before. I try to keep out of the way. Just to be there if anything went wrong. In the production office I meet Carol Willis, one of Mike's managers. She is intrigued to see Mike and PHIL's interviews from Paperlate. She tells me that this would probably be the worse night (sales wise for the tour) They're sold out in England, the band is having trouble finding tickets for their upcoming Wembley show. They sold out in S. Africa. But their CDs are selling the best in Germany, but they aren't selling out here. When in doubt blame the promoter, I say. She says they won't be coming to the States. The album isn't selling there, and there's no point in going where you're not wanted. And there weren't any T-Shirts for sale, Sorry Sue....
The big news (atleast for me) was Tony's album coming out sometime soon will be called, "Strictly Incognito". But it won't be sold as a Tony Banks Album. It seems that it is a kiss of death to release a "Tony Banks Album". So look for the Project/Band under S in your record store, as "Strictly Incognito". It will feature the former Wang Chung singer (Jack Hughes ?).
I discreetly ask each of the band members to sign my CD booklet. Mike agrees to have his picture taken with me. He asks about how our show is going, and how he's sad that he won't be able to see our show. I mention working on "Tommy" with all the slides/visuals how it makes me wonder what kind of performance one could make of the Lamb nowadays. He smiles and winks at me. And he's off to speak with the rest of the band.
The set list as printed by our fax machine was:
Beggar/ Get-up/ Running/ I Believe/ Shoulder/ Coffee/ Hold on Me/ Someone always Hates/ Plain & Simple/ Web of Lies/ Everyday/ How long/ I Can't Dance/ Living Years/ Miracle/ Word of Mouth
The sound is very good, the lighting is horrible. I find out later it is the second night the LD has ever been running a show.... (it was painful for me, a lighting guy at heart) oh well....
Highlights:
The guitar playing of Tim Renwick (lately heard on the Pink Floyd "Pulse" CD) was incredible. The slightly acoustic version of Silent Running was beautiful. Tim starting the number on acoustic guitar. Actually for all of you diehards asking for Mike to pick up his acoustic guitar, this is the tour for you. Some really wonderful moments between he and Tim. The vocals are as strong as ever, both Pauls are wonderful. Of course I'm particularly partial to Paul Carrack. I Believe, Over My Shoulder, were all stunning. There wasn't as much programming as I remembered from the Living Years tour I had seen years ago. Only during Someone always Hates was there alot of synthised percussion. Gary Wallis was solid as rock.
Then we get to the oldies part of the show, Doing Everyday from Sad Cafe, How Long (has this been going on) from Ace, and yes ladies and gents.... I Can't Dance from that band Genesis (Paul Young on vocals). Everyone was up and dancing, and everyone's hands were sore from clapping.
Living Years was particularily moving, as always, but to have Mike and Tim vocals being the lead of the chorus (Say it loud....) was a nice change from the choir voices on the single. All I Need is a Miracle, or as I and one of the Stage Manager's from the show changed the lyrics to All I Need is a ticket out of here.... ( we want to go home to America ) and Word of Mouth ended the show.
Everyone happy and everyone lucky to see this band in such an intimate setting. I had to thank the promoter Peter Reiger for doing it. It was one bright spot in the now Rainy city of Offenbach. I'm typing this as I listen to the new Steve Hackett CD.... wondeful... thank you Bill for your information and assitance in spreading the word.
Well I hope I didn't bore you too much, or tend to waste too much band width.
Greg Mazure
Fuse@eworld.com