Still aching as I type so please excuse any
mistaekes mistakes
The day (Wednesday) started with Ali and I meeting my sister and having a small libation in Waverley Station. We were early. An uneventful train journey and a very nice hotel (Malmaison) followed by one or two grape juices and off to El Giggo. The wine at the City Hall was undrinkable. Not relevant, I know, but I think they should be publicly shamed.
I expected a half empty venue. I was right. But a Newcastle crowd is not for letting the small matter of a poor attendance get in the way of a good atmosphere. And this subject has been commented on in countless threads so I won't dwell on it. I have been in smaller Quo crowds over the decades though.
Cats in Space were odd. Well, not odd, but they made me feel odd. It was like watching a cross between Uriah Heep and Argent in about 1973. All long coats, long hair and twirly keyboards. They were OK. They went down quite well to be fair.
Now to the main attraction. I know what to expect from Quo. Of course I do. And they nearly always deliver. This was no exception. From the opening bars of
Caroline to the closing bars of
Bye Bye Bye Bye I lapped up every minute of it. I can't actually go to a Quo gig and look on with a critical eye. It's why I never take photos. I just get immersed in the music and, frankly, go nuts. It's the only exercise I get these days
Highlights for me were
Softer Ride which I never tire of and never will. It's proper 100% driving Quo. I also love the new version of
Don't Drive My Car. It's actually better than the original I think; the arrangement I mean. And the solo is terrific. And
Don't Waste My Time is always welcome because it's played quite infrequently now.
A small word about
Little Lady. Without Rick and his lyrical nuances it isn't quite the same. They make a great stab at it and it's played and sung brilliantly but....
I can't quite put my finger on why it shouldn't be there. There are Rick songs and there are Rick songs. I think they should put this one back in the box. Just a personal view.
The remainder of the gig went to script. I loved it, I really did. But I can't recall many that I didn't. One or two over the years depending on my mood. But always down to me, not the band. I hurt like hell on Thursday morning. A 60-year old headbanging is probably not a pretty sight but you should feel it from the inside!
All in all, it was a terrific trip and a great gig. It might be my last Quo gig (we all had a discussion about that) but it might not. We just have to see how things pan out.
Oh, and a brief mention for Cammy the Morton Fan; we met him inside and it was good to see you, mate.
Now for a very quiet and lazy w
eekend. Ooh, me neck....