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NORTHAMPTON
Nice theatre in Northampton with a very helpful and efficient stage crew. It was nice to meet Tony Burnside again and also Andy and Helen from Brighton. Frances from Northampton, thanks for saying hello. It was a pleasure to meet Steve and Charlotte Procter from West Yorkshire. Being in a wheelchair doesn't stop Steve getting to see Gilbert. Only lack of wheelchair access at venues can stop him. Great to see John and Shirley from County Durham again. All Julie Knapper wanted to do was to kiss Gilbert and touch his hair. She got both her wishes granted.
For the purpose of this report the personnel on stage were: String Quartet: Laura Stanford [violin], Eleanor Stanford [violin], Amy Stanford [viola] and Jessica Cox [cello]. Band: Martin Ditcham [drums + percussion], Bill Shanley [guitars] and Nick Scott [bass]. Backing Vocals: Charlotte James and Niamh McNally. Saxophone, Flute & Harmonica: Julian Webster Greaves. Keyboard and Accordion: Mick Parker.
TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF MY TOE - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + String Quartet
A PROPER FOOL - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet Straight into this song with a count of 1-2-3-4.
MY PLACE OR YOURS - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] Gilbert seemed to have a tightness in his throat and one or twice during the first couple of songs he struggled to reach one or two high notes. "It's really nice to be here but I don't understand how in the middle of Summer you come down with a little throat thing that you get in the middle of Winter, it's really bizarre. So I must apologise for the slight fluff in my voice. I can't believe in the middle of Summer. I think it was last weekend during the really chilly winds. Everybody I know is walking around in t-shirts and shorts and I'm walking around in six sweaters [audience laughter]. It's mind baffling, you just have no control over it. I've drank so much water and I know that water is a touchy subject with all of you [this refers to the current poor water quality in Northampton], [audience laughter]. Thank God for bottled water, it's the new petrol! It's not really funny but it's just so frustrating. I'll do my best."
NOTHING RHYMED - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet + Nick [Bass] + Julian [Flute] Warm applause greeted the start and finish of this audience favourite. "Go on Gilbert!" was shouted by a fan and Gilbert replied "I'm raring to go, it's just this thing [pointing to his throat].
OUT OF THE QUESTION - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] Gilbert continually drank water in between song and asked "Have I ever been to Northampton before? Is this my first time? [There was muted 'No'] Is that because you didn't ask me before? And after my voice tonight you probably won't ask me again. [Audience laughter]. "You still sound good" was heard from a fan. "I know" relied Gilbert, "But you want to be as good as you know you can be. Anyway it's out of my control."
This next song is an album track. People are familiar with the songs that they hear on the radio. What's nice when you release an album is when people write to you and say we like the obvious songs but we love this album because of a particular track and it's now our favourite.
MISS MY LOVE TODAY - [From the album "SOUTHPAW"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Mick [Keyboard] As he played the intro Gilbert said "It's called 'Miss My Love Today' and as the long intro continued he added "It's an instrumental." [Audience laughter].
"With the next song, my daughters brought home to me the importance of lyrics and how they can effect people. In the past people have written to me and told me that certain lyrics really meant a lot to them. So I am aware of that. But what was interesting with this particular song is that my daughters, when they heard it, were horrified, absolutely horrified because they thought it was about us, they though it was about my relationship with my wife, their mother. But of course it isn't, it's a work of fiction. I found it difficult to convince them it wasn't about us. In the end I did. But having said that they still didn't like it. [Audience laughter]. It's called 'Taking Sides'."
TAKING SIDES - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Nick [Flute]
Every year when I do my list when we are preparing for the running order. The print gets bigger and bigger [Audience laughter] because you can't wear glasses on stage. [Audience laughter]. You can't, can you? Oh! Elton John can."
I think we'll do 'Concrete' Gilbert said turning to the string quartet who were quickly leafing through their sheet music as this song wasn't on the original play list. This next song is called 'You Can't Concrete". The bizarre thing is I was asked is this song about conning Crete in Greece [Con Crete].
YOU CAN'T CON CRETE- [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Straight into 'We Will' with a count of 1-2-3-4.
WE WILL - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Bill [guitar] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] What I like about writing lyrics is that I like to feel that I write the way people talk. I know that when my first album was released in America. The Americans thought yeah it was interesting melodically but didn't understand it lyrically what it was about. Songs like 'Matrimony'; they don't use the word matrimony. But I felt as an English songwriter albeit that I was born in Ireland and raised in Swindon. I'm proud of my Irish roots but all my writing ability came from what I observed living in Swindon in England. I like the fact that I sing and write words that are English. What's interesting about 'We Will' is 'Bagsy being in goal'. It's a nice line bagsy being in goal, it's what we used to say as kids. Andy Williams in America wanted to record it. So he called me up, said 'Hello Ray, it's Andy Williams". I was on tour in America around 1973, he wanted to record it but wanted to change the line. He didn't know what 'bagsy' meant. I think that's nice. I allowed him to change it but I've no idea what he put in but it must have been okay.
"This next song is interesting. When people talk about "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" [quoting verse] and ask what was John Lennon on when he wrote it. Well in the next song there is a verse that goes: Now down among the Partridge trees Lives a "Don" who loves his knees So much so he's framed them in a jar
What was I on when I wrote that?"
MR. MOODY'S GARDEN - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Mick [Accordion] + Julian [Voices] "I'm drinking so much water, I'll be nipping out to the bathroom in a minute." [Audience laughter].
SOMETIMES - [From the album "SOUNDS OF THE LOOP"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Julian [Flute] This song didn't go as well as Gilbert would have wanted because of his throat. Most of the audience would have been unaware of this fact but Gilbert was disappointed. After the song he commented "That's a C minus, referring to his performance of 'Sometimes'. As he moved from the keyboard to the piano he put an imaginary gun to his head showing his frustration with his ailing throat.
Checking his printed play list on the piano Gilbert read aloud "I'm In Love" and added, "I'll give it a go!"
I'M IN LOVE WITH LOVE AGAIN - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet It's kind of interesting when you are preparing songs for a concert tour. Obviously I don't listen to my own songs. And I have a catalogue that goes back 40 years. The only time I listen to my songs is when I have to get ready for a concert. It's a nice situation to be in when you go through the material, because you come across songs that you'd totally forgotten about. You think to yourself, that's pretty good, I might do that one......Somebody has to! [Audience laughter]. It's also nice to take an old song and adapt it in a slightly different way, sometimes simple and this is an example of that."
DON'T LET IT GET TO YOU - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] "This song deals with the subject that is now very common, this whole bullying scenario. It seems to be occurring a lot more. Of course when I was in school I remember in the playground, I did amateur boxing in school. They always tried to put me with this other kid who was interested in wrestling and fighting. They got a lot of fun trying to put me and him together. I'd be there boxing him [Gilbert put his two fists up in a boxing pose] and he'd be trying to grab on to me. That was a mild form of bullying but what you read in the papers these days is really horrifying. I find it interesting as a lyricist.
"We've heard of 'The Doo Run Run' and 'Papa Ooh Mow Mow'. Nobody thinks they're anything but great songs. Well this is mine!"
OOH-WAKKA-DOO-WAKKA-DAY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] A cartoon featuring Gilbert is played on the screen at the back of the stage during the song.
CLAIR - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Harmonica] Gilbert left the stage to huge applause and whistles.
STICK IN THE MUD - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] Whatever Gilbert did with his throat during the interval seemed to do the trick because he was a new man in the second half and didn't fluff a note. He was so good that I completely forgot about the problems of the first half.
MARTIN
CAN'T GET YOU TO LOVE ME - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] "So far so good" Gilbert commented referring to his improving voice.
MAKE MY DAY - [From the album "PIANO FOREPLAY"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band+ Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] "You're a genius" shouted a fan. "Now now" answered Gilbert adding "Modesty will get you nowhere." "Where's Clair" asked another fan. "This is not question time" replied Gilbert and added "For those of you who think that Clair is still that little girl, she is a middle aged young lady, I think she is about 32 now [more like 37 I'd say]. Maybe the next time we come to Northampton and my voice is on top form I'll bring her along.
Gilbert then suggested doing "A Friend Of Mine" but before that he decide to read one or two dedications he had but remembered he hadn't got his glasses with him. He borrowed Mick Parker's glasses but couldn't see a thing and commented "Old age is a lovely thing, I'm 61 as a person, I'm very happy to be 61 but I'm 21 as a songwriter [loud applause]. Turning to the wings Gilbert said "Ask Kevin to bring my glasses, my Buddy Holly specs. [Audience laughter]. Filling in time Gilbert explained how he felt he may have caught a chill the previous Sunday in Jersey but had hoped and prayed that it wouldn't effect him. It's out of my control all I can do is battle on. I have Glastonbury tomorrow and Sunday." [Audience cheers and applause]. When the delay in finding the glasses continued Gilbert read the dedications with a little difficulty. The glasses were finally located and Gilbert modelled them for the audience, much to their amusement.
I'm going to do a song now called "A Friend Of Mine" but I have to laugh because when it was typed out for me it read "A Fiend Of Mine". [Audience laughter].
A FRIEND OF MINE - [From the album "I'M A WRITER, NOT A FIGHTER"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] Gilbert's vocal problems were now behind him and he was in full flow.
Gilbert had panicked the band by skipping "No Matter How I Try" on the play list. He then announced "Why, Oh Why, Oh Why" but halfway through the count-in, as the band were primed and ready to go, he stopped to talk about the song. Mick Parker's shoulders slumped mid-chord much to the amusement of the audience and Mick himself. Gilbert was unaware of the chaos he was creating behind him, and looked around quizzically.
WHY, OH WHY, OH WHY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] A fan asked "Will you marry me?" "Ask my wife" was Gilbert's reply.
NO MATTER HOW I TRY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band+ Mick [Keyboard]
FOREVER WONDERING - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] This is a Fats Domino style song. I like Fats Domino, guitarists look to Eric Clapton, as a piano player I looked look to him.
"Take it away" Gilbert shouted to Julian and Bill prior to their solos.
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOU - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU GOT - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard & Accordion] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] This is a crowd favourite.
HAPPINESS IS ME AND YOU - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Vocal] + Bill [Spanish Acoustic Guitar] + Julian [Flute] + Martin [Percussion] Gilbert explained, "This is the part of the show that I introduce everybody to you. The thing is that I know everybody so well, we have worked together for a long time now, so I don't really need to look at the names on a list. So I thought a few dates back I would do the introductions without the card with the names on it. But after the first name I completely lost it. I had to desperately find the card again. The irony tonight is that I do need the card but it's not here." [Audience laughter]. He managed fine with one or two slight hesitations.
THE MARRIAGE MACHINE - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Charlotte [Vocal] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] This is still one of the show highlights with a lovely vocal by Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE
WHAT'S IN A KISS? - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard]
SAY GOODBYE - [From the album "IRLISH"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] + Charlotte [Tambourine]
NIAMH & CHARLOTTE
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard]
ENCORE
MATRIMONY - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
GET DOWN - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] The vast majority of the audience rose to their feet for the last song.
Despite being tired and protective of his voice, Gilbert agreed to meet and greet his fans after the show. This brings a lot of joy to so many people who have waited many years for the chance to meet their hero.
STATS Gilbert played and sang 32 songs tonight representing material from 13 different albums. The breakdown was as follows:
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