Next up was the King George's Hall in Blackburn, 130 miles westward from Grimsby.  The audience was about 200 in number.  Although the hall could have accommodated more, it was set out with just enough seating for the amount of tickets sold.  So there was cosy, intimate feel about the place.  I met my old friend Dave Haq and his wife Helen in the foyer. 1st HALF DISAPPEAR There was the now customary quiet unassuming entrance by Gilbert at 7.35 p.m. and he went straight into Disappear.  THE THING IS - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Gilbert said he was thinking of changing the name of this tour to the "Is There Anyone Out There Tour?"  This was received with much laughter.  He continued on to say that his critics would have a field day, saying that he could no longer draw a crowd.  But one thing that they could never accuse him of was not performing to the best of his ability. NOTHING RHYMED - [From the album "HIMSELF"] NO MATTER HOW I TRY BECAUSE OF YOU - [From the album "BY LARRY" / "THE LITTLE ALBUM"] This was Gilbert's first show in Blackburn in over twenty years and he went on to talk about being in Australia just less than two years ago where he played four concerts.  He hadn't gone there at the height of his success in the early seventies instead preferring to stay at home so as to be able to devote as much time as possible to the all important task of song writing.  He said it was weird to step out on the stage and say "It's nice to be in here in Brisbane after thirty years". WE WILL He related the story of Andy Williams wanting to record "We Will" but not understanding the term bagsy.  Everybody in the audience seem to understand it.  He said that as an English writer he likes to use English terms and colloquialisms even if the Americans don't fully understand them.  He is amused by some songwriters from places like Bath, Bristol and Blackburn for example writing songs about L.A., the west coast and the east coast. HAVE IT - [From the album "IRLISH"] MISS MY LOVE TODAY - [From the album "SOUTHPAW"] Just as Gilbert was about to start this song a mobile phone rang in the distance.  As you might know this is a pet hate of Gilbert's and he went on to recite the verse about mobile phones from his song "Love Been Faxed By You": I despise the telephone when it goes and I am home I just say I'm out Anyone whose mobile rings on a train that I am in I just scream and shout Let there be no doubt Give their ears a clout He then went on to imitate someone on a mobile phone speaking loudly without any consideration for anyone else.  "Next thing you know he said the newsreaders will be getting mobile phone calls while on air."  It was funny. STICK IN THE MUD - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] CLAIR - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] SOMETIMES - [From the album "SOUNDS OF THE LOOP"] The live version of this song is worth the entrance price alone. THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] Gilbert changed again to his other keyboard for this song.  He related his experience of playing the Blue Note Club in Japan last October. Seemingly patrons of the club can have a meal while the show is on.  The closeness of the stage to the dining area coupled with the natural  shyness of the Japanese fans almost caused a few of them to have heart attacks when Gilbert changed keyboards and sat close to them. WHAT'S IN A KISS? - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] "You might know this one" Gilbert added. FOREVER WONDERING - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE"] Supported by local saxophone player Nigel on this song. HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU GOT - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"] Gilbert is still waiting for Fats Domino to recover enough health wise in order to record a duet together.  He sent the song "Here's Why" to Fats 15 months ago and he is wondering is the long delay anything to do with the fact that it is a love song, the first lines of which are: Here's why I love you Here's why I'll never let you go  Here's why one day you'll be  On an island with me etc..... OUT OF THE QUESTION - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] "Doesn't It Make You Sick" was replaced by this track from the "Back To Front" album.  "This was my last hit in America, where I had 5 hits.  Beat that Robbie Williams! How many has he had, one? One and a half?  When I started out I never dreamt of having hits in America or conquering the world, my dream was just to have a hit in England where I lived." THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Nigel was back on saxophone THE INTERVAL WAS FROM 8.47 p.m. UNTIL 9.12 p.m. During the interval I met some more group members; Julie Roberts, Paul Griffiths (right) and Nigel Catlow (get well soon Nigel).  Julie like myself was a member of the fan club during the 70s and she brought along a wonderful scrapbook that she has compiled over the years for Gilbert to see and sign. She also brought along a new generation of Gilbert fans; two of her children; Cheryl and Curtis. JULIE ROBERTS - NIGEL CATLOW - BRIAN KING - DAVE HAQ 2nd HALF A FRIEND OF MINE - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"] ME - [From the album "IRLISH"] SAY GOODBYE - [From the album "IRLISH"] Gilbert sang a mixture of the Spanish and French versions in the chorus.  He then impressed us all by singing the Japanese chorus.  "Although I wrote it, I don't know what it means, I don't think even the Japanese know." WATER MUSIC - [From the album "IRLISH"] "When we play this backing track some people think that the roof has sprung a leak" Gilbert explained. WHO WAS IT? - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] THE MARRIAGE MACHINE - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Marriage is a favourite writing subject for Gilbert.  He likes to be topical and write about current subjects without preaching.  "It's alright for Elton, who can write a melody and then party all night, but lyricists like myself and Bernie Taupin are locked away in a room slaving over a blank sheet of paper, it's a bit like school." PERMISSIVE TWIT - [From the album "HIMSELF"] "The danger with being topical is that the songs quickly date.  As an example, permissiveness was a popular word in the 60s but not used at all today.  This is a very northern song."  I have heard this song live a few times now but tonight for some reason it was special.  Gilbert sang it so well.  It was like being in the studio and listening to it being recorded for the "Himself" album. WHAT COULD BE NICER (MUM THE KETTLE'S BOILING) - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] "The benefit of live performances as opposed to recorded songs is that with the record it is done, finished, although you are are happy with it, you can't change it.  While playing live you can experiment or alter the song.  As with the song "Sometimes", the recorded version is nice, but the stripped down version we did earlier is also nice.  This song is another example, it is an old song but with a reggae beat." We were then treated to some of Gilbert's "Works In Progress". Song #1 I ain't about to be held for no ransom I ain't about to be wasting my time You've led me up so many garden paths lately Had you been around in 1942 I'm sure Hitler could have made it with you Song #2 I used to be allergic to anyone with hair All my girlfriends had to shave, otherwise I wouldn't care Now I am pleased to report I've only changed a bit Now I am allergic to clothes Now all they have to do is strip ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) ENCORE MATRIMONY - [From the album "HIMSELF"] GET DOWN - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"] THE SHOW ENDED AT 10.05 p.m. After the show while we queuing up to meet the man himself, I met with some more great people.  If they are reading this I would like to say hello to Lynda (with a Y), hello to Sue and hello to Jenni.  I hope that you have found the web site and have decided to take my advice and join Steve Grave's Mailing List. I also spoke to Steve, from Solid Entertainments, the promoter of both the Grimsby and Blackburn shows and he was telling me that there might, just might be some shows in November.  No guarantees.  He was also saying that the previous evening in Grimsby that Gilbert stayed behind for 55 minutes and it seemed like he met everybody from the audience.  What a star!  That's why we love him. Leeds here we come!