GRIMSBY Next stop on the tour was in Grimsby, a seaport on the east coast of England, 190 miles north east of Milton Keynes.  The venue was the Methodist Central Hall which unfortunately like the Newcastle show was only half full.  Although the crowd was small, they were very enthusiastic and I met some very nice people and I would like to say hello to Vanessa, Steve and Sheena.  I have encouraged all three to join Steve's mailing list.  The setting was unusual as the stage was six foot high and as the hall is used for church meetings, there was a huge cross on the wall behind the stage. 1st HALF DISAPPEAR There was an early start this evening when Gilbert walked on stage at 7.30 p.m. THE THING IS - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] NOTHING RHYMED - [From the album "HIMSELF"] The crowd cheered loudly upon hearing the opening bars of the song causing Gilbert to stop and jokingly say "there's no need for me to continue this one" after such a good reaction. NO MATTER HOW I TRY BECAUSE OF YOU- [From the album "BY LARRY" / "THE LITTLE ALBUM"] WE WILL Gilbert recalled getting a telephone call from Andy Williams while on tour in the US in the 70s.  Andy loved the song We Will and was anxious to record it but he had a problem with one word (bagsy) and wanted Gilbert's permission to change it.  He didn't get it and the song was never recorded by Andy Williams. HAVE IT - [From the album "IRLISH"] MISS MY LOVE TODAY - [From the album "SOUTHPAW"] From the Southpaw album. STICK IN THE MUD - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] CLAIR - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] As Gilbert thought that this was his first visit to Grimsby, he was about to tell the audience his story about his daughter being mistaken for Clair, when somebody from the audience informed him that it was in fact his second visit and that he had been there in 1982.  Puzzled he asked "Are you sure?"  "Yes" came the reply.  "You must run a web site, they seem to know more about me that I do."  Now who could he be talking about I wonder? SOMETIMES - [From the album "SOUNDS OF THE LOOP"] THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] WHAT'S IN A KISS? - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] "You might know this one" FOREVER WONDERING - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE"] Local saxophone player Ralf Auger joined Gilbert on stage for this one. DOESN'T IT MAKE YOU SICK (MORTAR AND BRICK) - [From the album "SINGER SOWING MACHINE"] HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU GOT - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"] Mick Parker backed Gilbert with the piano-accordion.  Gilbert told us that as one of six children growing up in an Irish family there would often be sing-songs and the piano-accordion would be brought out and that he disliked it.  But now that he has grown older he had learned to appreciate it and has come to like the instrument. THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Ralf Auger returned on saxophone as this song brought the first half to a close. THE INTERVAL WAS FROM 8.47 p.m. UNTIL 9.10 p.m. 2nd HALF OUT OF THE QUESTION - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] This was the first change to last night's play list.  Gilbert mustn't have played it for a while as he reversed the verses. ME [From the album "IRLISH"] SAY GOODBYE [From the album "IRLISH"] Gilbert mentioned the different versions he has recorded of the song: Japanese, Spanish, French and Portuguese.  He then played and sang the Japanese and French choruses. WATER MUSIC [From the album "IRLISH"] WHO WAS IT? - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] THE MARRIAGE MACHINE- [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Featuring Helen on vocals. MR. MOODY'S GARDEN Gilbert was amused by the fact that when you are unknown a single that flops can become a cult song while a single that flops when you are famous is just a FLOP! WHAT COULD BE NICER (MUM THE KETTLE'S BOILING) - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) ENCORE MATRIMONY - [From the album "HIMSELF"]   GET DOWN - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"] Usual finale but he kept his feet on the ground. THE SHOW ENDED AT 10.15p.m.