Southport is a seaside town on the North West coast of England, thirty miles north of Liverpool. But today was not a day for the seaside as it was wet and windy. At 7pm the foyer and lounge was full with an expectant crowd. As it turns out we weren't to be disappointed as Gilbert turned in a sterling performance with 33 songs. Very nice once again to meet Paul Griffiths from Widnes and the now regulars Chris and John from Liverpool. It was nice to also meet Mike from Runcorn who only came out of hospital the previous day and was actually still wearing the hospital wristband. Nothing was going to stop him seeing his hero.
Gilbert's sister Marie was there at the merchandise stand with a good selection of CDs, all at very reasonable prices compared to the high street shops. All the CDs on view are available at ByGum Records also run by Marie.
The following CDs were available for £14
"Himself"
"Back To Front"
"I'm A Writer"
"Not A Fighter"
"A Stranger In My Own Back Yard"
"Southpaw"
"Piano Foreplay"
"The Berry Vest Of"
"Love Songs" and "Rare Tracks" were £12.
The CD singles "Ooh Baby", "Say Goodbye" and "Two's Company (Three Is Allowed)" were each £4.
The "Caricature" Box Set was available at £30 but was quickly sold out. Orders are being taken.
"Berry Vest Of" tee-shirts were available for £10
THE MERCHANDISE TABLE
BRIAN & MARIE
1st HALF: STARTED AT 19:40 - LASTED 60 MINUTES
IT AIN'T FOR ME - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Accordion]
At 7.40 p.m. unannounced as usual, Gilbert took to the stage along with Mick Parker and Julian Webster Greaves with backing vocals provided by Helen Hardy and her daughter Victoria. The theatre was packed with over a thousand people. As is the norm, Gilbert starts his set with a gentle opener.
THE THING IS - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Without a word Gilbert goes straight into "The Thing Is" from "A Stranger In My Own Back Yard" accompanied by Julian Webster Greaves on harmonica. Afterwards Gilbert greets the crowd and asks "Anyone from Liverpool?" A big contingent of fans from Liverpool made their presence know and one voice shouted out "Hello Gilby". Gilbert then explained that he has been trying to get a venue in Liverpool for the past 6 or 7 years but without success. "I now know how an asylum seeker feels trying to get in somewhere." Chants of "Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakk-Day" from the Liverpool contingent. Gilbert acknowledged them but told them there was a long way to go yet.
NOTHING RHYMED - [From the album "HIMSELF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Flute]
The crowd immediately recognised the opening bars of this song and applauded loudly, at which time Gilbert stopped playing and jokingly said "And the next." Gilbert was accompanied again by Julian Webster Greaves, this time on flute.
NO MATTER HOW I TRY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Foot Stomps]
Just before the false ending before "I remember our first anniversary", Julian Webster Greaves stepped forward and stamped his feet to the beat. Gilbert made his usual adlibs, e.g. "I'm only five foot two and a half" and "Cash me as a euro"
IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS - [From the album "PIANO FOREPLAY"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert explained that he releases an album every eighteen months to two years and this gives him a reason to tour, otherwise he'd become a gardener or a handyman. This was tonight's first track from the latest studio album "Piano Foreplay". Referring to the wet and windy day weather in Southport Gilbert added, "This is "It Never Rains But It Pours", strangely enough."
WE WILL - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert said "I'm Irish by birth and proud of my roots but I grew up in Swindon and I consider myself to be an English lyricist. I can never understand English writers writing about L.A. and California. They should write about Grimsby, Huddersfield and Hull." A Liverpool fan suggested "and Liverpool". Gilbert replied "No Liverpool is cool". He then told us how he was amused when Andy Williams recorded "We Will" but wanted to change the line "Bagsy in goal" because he didn't understand it.
MAKE MY DAY - [From the album "PIANO FOREPLAY"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Another track from "Piano Foreplay" with Julian Webster Greaves playing the saxophone ending.
MISS MY LOVE TODAY - [From the album "SOUTHPAW"][Gilbert : Synth, Mick Parker : Synth]
Gilbert changed to his second keyboard (DX7) for this song and said “I have released 14 albums so far and it's not only the hit singles that people like. A lot of people see to like this song....well I know two people who like it". (Audience laughter).
STICK IN THE MUD - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert got the crowd rocking with this one. Julian Webster Greaves played a fine solo on saxophone.
CLAIR - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Harmonica, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert mentioned that there are a lot of good young songwriters around at the moment, naming Damien Rice, David Gray and Ed Harcourt. He said "I buy CDs from all these artists and consider myself as a contemporary even though some of them are half my age. In fact On Ed's album he has a song called 'Born In The 70s', it's depressing really. In order to be prolific you can still learn from other writers." The girls left the stage for this one and Julian played the harmonica solo. This song was particularly well received by the audience who sang "Oh Clair, Clair" when prompted by Gilbert. Both artist and audience applauded each other at the end of the song. "I'm impressed" Gilbert added, "I shall be calling on you later".
SOMETIMES - [From the album "SOUNDS OF THE LOOP"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Julian Webster Greaves : Flute]
Gilbert explained "When preparing for this tour I had to listen to and practice certain songs in order to have a contrasting programme. One of the songs I listen to was this one and I thought 'that's good', then I realised that it was me singing." Julian on the flute solo.
THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"][Gilbert : Synth, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert changed again to his other keyboard for this song. The girls returned on backing vocals.
WHAT'S IN A KISS? - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert started this song off with the wrong sound on his keyboard and jokingly explained "It's like a flight deck up here".
FOREVER WONDERING - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert told us that originally he tried to learn the guitar but his teacher wouldn't allow him to play left handedly. He said "try and play Man of Mystery and FBI with your other hand, it's not easy. So I took up the keyboard. And for a keyboard player Fats Domino is a big hero." Gilbert played the famous riff and when on to say how the Englishness of his lyrics are sometimes misunderstood when playing abroad. This song has an example in the lines:
"My girlfriend's name is SusanWe got engaged last march
She was killed while getting off a bus
At the top of marble arch"
"I don't mean on top of the arch but instead the top of Marble Arch (place in London), the same way we would say the top of the road" Gilbert explained. Julian played a solo on saxophone.
WHY, OH WHY, OH WHY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
"This is an old song which I haven't sung live since 1974. In fact we played in Croyden last week and the last time I played there was in 1970. While rehearsing for this tour I rediscovered this old song and I have decided to give it a new sound. Here's "Why, Oh Why, Oh Why" with a new feel." I personally love this version of the song for it's simplicity.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - [From the album "HIMSELF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Thunder and Lightning brought the first half to a close with Julian returning on saxophone for this track.
As always it was an absolute pleasure to talk to Kevin (Gilbert's brother) during the interval and among other things he told me that a third date at the Olympia on December 13th has been confirmed due to popular demand.
Brian & Kevin
2nd HALF: STARTED AT 21:10 - LASTED 65 MINUTES
A FRIEND OF MINE - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth]
While singing the line: "They said that I was like my dad, Now they say that I'm just like his daughter" Gilbert added "It's the hair."
HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU GOT - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth & Accordion, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert introduced this song as a "Bit of country music." Mick Parker backed Gilbert with the piano-accordion.
CONVERSATION WITH FLYING PLATES - [From the album "PIANO FOREPLAY"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth]
Gilbert explained that as a lyricist, titles are very important. He felt that this song title was interesting, but quickly added that his wife has never throw any plates at him. He said "It's alright for Elton who only writes the music, that's how he can party for six months. We lyricists live a hermit like existence, nine to five with a blank page on a Monday morning looking for ideas."
Gilbert made a snoring sound after he sang the lines:
"What's the point of counting sheepWhen by the time you get
To ten or twelve you're asleep"
OUT OF THE QUESTION - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Flute, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Great song, great performance with Julian on the flute
SAY GOODBYE - [From the album "IRLISH"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Flute, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Time for the drum machine. Gilbert sang the usual Spanish chorus. But proudly impressed the audience by singing the Japanese and French versions. Unfortunately the French version drifted into the Spanish version and he gave up while he was ahead. He also admitted that his Japanese fans haven't got a clue what he's singing while doing the Japanese version.
PERMISSIVE TWIT - [From the album "HIMSELF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth]
Gilbert's introduction to the next song was interrupted by more calls for Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakk-Day and a little bit of light hearted banter ensued. Gilbert explained that he didn't actually know the song but that he would learn it for the next time. The heckling continued but Gilbert handled it expertly and simply explained that he couldn't sing everybody's favourite song. To his amusement the crowd then sang the song themselves from start to finish as he sat back arms folded, smiling. He then decided to change the play list and although they hadn't rehearsed it, as a compromise he said that he would sing Permissive Twit. He began tentatively but needn't have worried as he played it perfectly and sang with gusto. Between verses he quipped "So far so good." For the solo he looked for Mick Parker to come in on harpsichord saying, "Where are you Mick?", but Mick was caught unprepared and played a sting sound backing. The song was very warmly received.
WATER MUSIC - [From the album "IRLISH"][Gilbert : Vocals]
Gilbert introduced this song by explaining how he got the idea for it. "The basis of this song is the rhythmic sound made by women washing clothes on the rocks at the riverside in the Peruvian jungle. Because it is a mundane job the women create a rhythm as they wash the clothes on the riverbank. This sound was recorded for a World Music CD and I got to hear it and found it interesting. I wanted to use it as part of a song but instead decided to use it as a backing with no music". Gilbert stood to sing this song.
WHO WAS IT? - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"][Gilbert : Vocals, Mick Parker : Electric Piano, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Mick came to the front of stage to play Gilbert's keyboard for this song while Gilbert danced around. The song was played with an extended intro. During the break in the song Gilbert played sound effects on Mick's synth, which featured some cows mooing and the sound of breaking glass.
After which Gilbert introduced the other people on stage. "Julian Webster Greaves on saxophone, flute, harmonica, tambourine and foot stomps. On backing vocals Helen Hardy who has been touring with me for many years and is joined on backing vocals tonight by her daughter Victoria, who is on her first tour. Isn't she doing well? Last but not least my music director, on synth and piano accordion......Mick Parker."
As Gilbert returned to his keyboard, somebody shouted "Don't forget yourself Gilby." "Flattery will get you everywhere" Gilbert replied.
THE MARRIAGE MACHINE - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Flute, Helen Hardy : Backing Vocals]
GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY - [UNRELEASED][Gilbert : Electric Piano]
Gilbert introduced this song by saying, "I like Billy Connolly but I can't say that I am a fan of his language, too many Fs. Likewise with the Beautiful South, I like their music but they had a song called Don't Marry Her, F*** Me Instead, and as a song writer I feel that you should avoid the obvious. Gilbert likened bad language to going to the bathroom....good to do, but not good to be seen or heard. (Audience laughter). This is a song never released by Gilbert but was played here to show his love of words and language.
IF I DON'T GET YOU (BACK AGAIN) - [From the album "HIMSELF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth]
This is a beautiful old song recently re-discovered by Gilbert.
A WOMAN'S PLACE - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
During the 70s when Feminism was at it's height I wrote this song because I thought that it had a good title. I either had a good sense of humour or a death wish, I've been beaten up so many times by women about it.............and I've loved every minute of it." We then went on to have the 'Battle of the Sexes" where the men sang the line "A woman's place is in the home" and the women replied, "If that's the case you're on your own". The men began weakly while the women raced into a lead. The men improved and although Gilbert called it as a draw, I felt the women were hard done by. It appears that the previous night in Milton Keynes it had been a draw and the men won handsomely in Worcester.
LOST A FRIEND - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth]
"On a sad note, today brought the news of the death of Emlyn Hughes (former Liverpool and England footballer) and I am sure that the people here from Liverpool will remember him with affection. Although I didn't know him he seemed like a very nice guy. Also last week with the passing of John Peel (former BBC Radio disc jockey, who gave Gilbert his first radio appearance with a session on his Top Gear programme in 1968), it's sad when people pass before their time. Although unrehearsed I'd like to dedicate this song to them both."
WHAT COULD BE NICER (MUM THE KETTLE'S BOILING) - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
This was done in reggae style.
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Tambourine]
Greeted warmly.
Gilbert left the stage momentarily but returned to wild applause.
ENCORE
MATRIMONY - [From the album "HIMSELF"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Saxophone & backing Vocals, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert returned to the stage with this favourite from the "Himself" album. Throughout the song Gilbert asked the crowd "What is It? to which we replied "It's Matrimony." Julian played sax on this one.
GET DOWN - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"][Gilbert : Electric Piano, Mick Parker : Synth, Julian Webster Greaves : Tambourine & Backing Vocals, Helen & Victoria Hardy : Backing Vocals]
Gilbert rocked the place with this song and ended it standing the keyboard, and as quickly as he had arrived on stage, he took a bow and was gone
While waiting for Gilbert to reappear I was delighted to finally be able to put a face to a name of somebody that I have know for a long time and who has been very helpful to me along the way, and that is Paul Yates who has spent many an hour compiling a detailed discography of Gilbert's music.
PAUL YATES & BRIAN
Within half an hour Gilbert reappeared in a crowded foyer to meet his fans, having changed. As is usual he posed for photographs, signed autographs and listened to everybody's claim of how they were his biggest fan, smiling throughout. So, another show is over and we move on to York. It has been a long day but it has been very worthwhile and worth the effort and expense.
STATSGilbert played and sang 33 songs tonight representing material from 12 different albums. The breakdown was as follows:
Himself
5
Back To Front
4
The Berry Vest Of
4
Frobisher Drive
4
A Stranger In My Own Back Yard
3
Piano Foreplay
3
Irlish
2
The Little Album
2
I'm A Writer Not A Fighter
2
Off Centre
1
Sounds of the Loop
1
Unreleased Tracks
1
Southpaw
1
