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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 11:57:00 GMT
Hi everyone, been away for a while on holiday. I came back, looked on the Quo sites yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks, and was stunned to see that Quo were going to play without Rick!!! I vaguely heard that he'd been ill and they'd cancelled some shows, but didn't take much notice and had forgotten to be honest (it happens quite regularly)! Now I don't go to watch Quo in the summer (in the UK) any more; shortened set, don't like outdoor gigs, very casual (older) crowd etc. But it sparked my imaginaion. On one hand it was so wrong, but on the other hand it could be a unique, never to be repeated moment in Quo's history; or it could be a glimpse of the future. So I decided to be spontaneous and went! £40 for the ticket, £20 diesel, £10 food; a 2 hour journey from Manchester to Worksop (near Sheffield) during Friday rush hour and holiday traffic (but I was prepared for that, and it wasn't as bad as it could have been)! So I got there, and just 4 hours after deciding to go, I was standing in a cold, muddy field waiting for a Rickless Quo (I wonder if he went to watch it? think I saw a photo of him on a boat with his son which RPJ tweeted, so probably not)? Anyway, skipping over all the 'rights or wrongs' of it, which are going on over on the 'dark side'; I went because I wanted to go, I was intrigued. I noted the set list in my phone between songs. Caroline Paper Plane Hold You Back Rock n Roll n You Beginning of the End (it could be)!! Medley -What You're Proposing -Down the Dustpipe -Wild Side of Life -Railroad (missed out Again and Again) (straight into) Don't Waste My Time (instead of Big Fat Mama) The Oriental Creeping (Rhino sung it...well)! Army Drum Solo Roll Over Lay Down Down Down Whatever you Want (Andy sung lead vocal) Rockin (Freddie played Rick's solo parts, middle and end) ---- Burning Bridges Bye Bye Johnny (played as the FF played it with 2 verses and no solo) A few other points: I stood near the front on Rick's (Freddie's) side. - I thought the sound was awesome for an outdoor gig. Freddie's guitar sounded great. - He mainly played a new looking white tele, but played a red and orange Gibson (I think) on HYB and WYW - He looked nervous (naturally), was concentrating hard, didn't try to be Rick, and didn't really join in with the normal banter. - He had a microphone (mainly for his spare plectrums I think) but didn't sing at all. - I think Leon had a singing mic but can't remember seeing him sing (probably missed it) * additional note - Leon looked a lot more relaxed and confident than last winter, and looked to be enjoying it. That's the nuts and bolts of it. In my opinion; I knew Freddie would be good, they wouldn't have gone ahead and done it otherwise. I thought his playing was brilliant. 95% as good as Rick; very little difference to notice, even as a Quo stalwart of 70 gigs! Did I miss Rick - yes. But it was a great experience and I'm glad they did it. The backing vocals did suffer, but that was only to be expected. Andy and Rhino did some, but Frame also sung some parts on his own where RP would normally have dueted with him (such as Caroline, Hold you back, Army etc). I very much doubt that the casual fan would have noticed this. The set list was slightly different; they can do it when they have to (Rossi solo, FF, no Rick)!! Francis was awesome last night; but then I suppose he had to be! People came to see Quo; he was Quo last night. He stepped up, filled the void (as much as was possible). His playing was brilliant (almost to FF standards), he was funny, energetic and carried the vocals superbly. I really enjoyed it (I'd be shot for saying that on the dark side!); and if the worst were to happen and Francis wanted to carry on, I could accept what I saw last night (Mick Hucknall was the only original left in Simply Red for years)! Curly, I didn't realise you were going. We'll have to meet up next time we're at the same gig! What did you think?
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LOZ
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Post by LOZ on Aug 16, 2014 12:03:39 GMT
good report.
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 12:07:10 GMT
I tried to be objective Loz; then offer my opinion (which is all it is)! Without being at the gig, what's your opinion of Quo playing without Rick (as a one off, and possibly permanently in the future)?
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Post by snakelady on Aug 16, 2014 12:20:26 GMT
Thanks for the report, sounds like it was well worth going I know I'd have done the same if it had been close to where I live. I didn't miss Rick at the FR solo gigs, so expected it might work as well for a one off with Quo. They could've been a bit bolder and put a song or two from the solo gigs in (like Claudie ..), but I guess this was as far as Quo will go when forced to introduce changes .. Haven't heard Burning Bridges live for ages - I never liked it on record, but it's a great live song. And DWMT .. well I do prefer it over Rain or BFM, so that would've been on the plus side, but only just ..
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 12:40:19 GMT
Thanks for the report, sounds like it was well worth going I know I'd have done the same if it had been close to where I live. I didn't miss Rick at the FR solo gigs, so expected it might work as well for a one off with Quo. They could've been a bit bolder and put a song or two from the solo gigs in (like Claudie ..), but I guess this was as far as Quo will go when forced to introduce changes .. Haven't heard Burning Bridges live for ages - I never liked it on record, but it's a great live song. And DWMT .. well I do prefer it over Rain or BFM, so that would've been on the plus side, but only just .. Hi Kathrin I agree about being a bit bolder, and I did think that before the gig. I hoped they might played April, Spring, Summer Wednesdays, after it's success in the FF gigs! But thinking about it after; it was a shorter, summer gig, which is aimed more at the casual fan. So replacing regular Quo songs with Claudie or ASSW was never going to happen! DWMT and BB are 2 other really well known songs. And I agree, Burning Bridges is great live! It was definitely worth going, and really enjoyed it and was glad I made the effort (my star sign in the paper told me to go)!! I think with Quo, because the set list is so static, I like anything that is different, even if it isn't quite as good! I love Rain and Big Fatty, but they are played at EVERY gig! DWMT and BB haven't been in the set regularly for a while so it was slightly refreshing. Claudie and ASSW would have been even better! Also, seeing Quo without Rick was refreshing and different, whilst at the same time (in the cold light of day) not as good as Quo with Rick. I loved the first time I saw John Coghlan's State of Quo (10 years ago). They weren't 'Quo' but they were brilliant. Change is good, and that is something we are mostly denied from the current band. (Also, I think that is the biggest issue on the other forum. People don't want, don't like, and can't accept (most) change. But that is their opinion which they are entitled to, and I'm happier embracing change rather than getting upset about anything different).
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Post by Angie Quo on Aug 16, 2014 12:59:15 GMT
Thanks for that report. I did think about going, its an 'historical event' in my book. Its getting an awful slagging over on the other side! Poor Freddie, and what an insult to the other members of the band. Did the crowd enjoy it? Did many go, or should that be 'not go'? Any jeering? I've seen the Creepin clip on You Tube and it looked okay. I was surprised to see Rhino singing, surprised that Francis allowed it. Good old Rhino, great bloke.
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 13:07:25 GMT
Now that is a fantastic review. Thank you very much, Neil, for all the details and also for your profound reflection on the situation. I'm glad it went down so well and that the crowd accepted "one-off" Quo the way they did. I'm sure Freddie's playing was superb. Still I'm relieved that you apparently missed Rick. It also showed what Francis is capable of - to step up and fill the void as much as possible, as you so precisely put it, and to play brilliantly. Now what if the worst were to happen? To me, that wouldn't be Quo anymore. Rick & Francis are Status Quo. If one of them were to drop out, Status Quo couldn't go on. That's how I see it. It would be "Francis Rossi & Friends" or something like that. I would have to accept that, and I'm sure I could. But Status Quo without Rick? No. Never. Ever. But thanks again for your brilliant report. I'm happy for you that you enjoyed the gig, and that the band was able to prove how good they are. I still hope it was only a one-off gig. And contrary to Snakelady, I did miss Rick at Francis' solo tour. St Luke's was really amazing, to hear all those great songs and different versions of them was truly intriguing, but at the end of the day I did feel Rick's absence. But as it was Francis' solo tour, I guess that was to be expected. Hi Inna, good to hear from you, and well remembered (my name)! Yes it is a strange thought (and experience); are Quo still Quo without Rick or Frame! But in the 70s (before my time), could you have envisaged Quo without Alan (or even John)? So I think the mind gets used to things slowly; and it also depends how good the new reality is! Yes I did miss Rick; Freddie's playing was superb but he didn't do the rest of the act! Francis, as I said, was immense! I think he relaxes, switches off, when it's too easy for him, but steps up to the plate and turns it on when it's something new or he's under pressure (Glastonbury, Download, Solo gigs, last night)! I didn't miss Rick at the solo gigs....but probably because it wasn't 'Quo'; and I wasn't expecting him, and it was something different to see Freddie and Nick playing alongside Frame. I didn't mention it in my original report, but I think from what I've read elsewhere, there could have been issues for the promoter (UK events) if the gig had been cancelled at such short notice, which was why they rehearsed up Freddie, and did it anyway. This might come out later. Also, I bet Rick feels weird, insecure, that they played without him, and I bet he can't wait to come back and prove himself!
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Post by snakelady on Aug 16, 2014 13:15:29 GMT
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 13:35:57 GMT
Thanks for that report. I did think about going, its an 'historical event' in my book. Its getting an awful slagging over on the other side! Poor Freddie, and what an insult to the other members of the band. Did the crowd enjoy it? Did many go, or should that be 'not go'? Any jeering? I've seen the Creepin clip on You Tube and it looked okay. I was surprised to see Rhino singing, surprised that Francis allowed it. Good old Rhino, great bloke. Rhino did a good job on Creepin, in my opinion. He sang it slightly differently to Rick, but sang it well! It wasn't a big crowd, but I bet there was very little difference than if Rick had of been there. I bet a few decided not to go, and I bet a few, like me, went because Rick wasn't there! There was no slagging of Freddie, and no chanting for Rick; but it was a very casual crowd, not a partisan crowd, not a winter crowd, not a FF crowd! The crowd was very subdued to be honest, they were there to be entertained not to entertain! But I don't think that was anything to do with Rick or Freddie; I was aware of that right from the support bands. Francis tried to excite the crowd, but he was never going to have much success. I bet there were a lot of people who were indifferent to the fact that Rick wasn't there. Frame mentioned it in his opening chat after the third song, but he didn't make a big thing of it (why would you dwell on it); he made a bit of a joke about what was wrong with Rick. And he used Freddie's name in one of the songs, can't remember which! But I'd say the crowd enjoyed it 99% as much as they would have done if Rick had of played; but I shouldn't really speak for them!
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 13:39:19 GMT
Thanks for those! As the photos show, there were a few times when Francis was in front of the drum riser on his own, when Rick and Rhino would normally (or certainly in the past) have been next to him; that looked a bit strange.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 13:41:43 GMT
Thanks for the in depth and interesting report. Much appreciated.
Quo without Rick isn't right BUT if this concert had been near to me, I would have went, just out of curiosity. No surprises in the set list (didn't expect any) and I've never really liked Burning Bridges but it does go down very well live.
I didn't miss Rick when Francis toured solo but I would miss him if I went to see Quo and he wasn't on stage.
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 13:42:35 GMT
Just a thought.....Francis is obviously the head/leader/main man of the band (whatever the contract says about Rick). I wonder if Francis would 'let' them play without him (assuming for a minute that an adequate replacement could be found)??
If he did, that could truly signal for Quo to carry on without him and Rick as I suggested in my other thread!
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Post by fisherman on Aug 16, 2014 13:43:09 GMT
many thanks for this report, IAC
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 13:47:17 GMT
Hi Inna, good to hear from you, and well remembered (my name)! Yes it is a strange thought (and experience); are Quo still Quo without Rick or Frame! But in the 70s (before my time), could you have envisaged Quo without Alan (or even John)? So I think the mind gets used to things slowly; and it also depends how good the new reality is! Yes I did miss Rick; Freddie's playing was superb but he didn't do the rest of the act! Francis, as I said, was immense! I think he relaxes, switches off, when it's too easy for him, but steps up to the plate and turns it on when it's something new or he's under pressure (Glastonbury, Download, Solo gigs, last night)! I didn't miss Rick at the solo gigs....but probably because it wasn't 'Quo'; and I wasn't expecting him, and it was something different to see Freddie and Nick playing alongside Frame. I didn't mention it in my original report, but I think from what I've read elsewhere, there could have been issues for the promoter (UK events) if the gig had been cancelled at such short notice, which was why they rehearsed up Freddie, and did it anyway. This might come out later. Also, I bet Rick feels weird, insecure, that they played without him, and I bet he can't wait to come back and prove himself! If either Alan or John had left before, say, 1978, that would have been a minor disaster to me, I think. But they left when Quo had begun to slowly creep out of my life, so I must admit I wasn't too bothered at the time. But you're right, of course, that the mind gets used to things eventually. (Though with some people, it seems, this might be a bit different... ) And hat off to Francis, though I never doubted him. I'm sure Rick feels weird and insecure now that they played without him. He needn't prove himself to me. He's the power house in the band, the rhythm machine, and no-one plays guitar quite like him. I would miss him terribly if he had to stop playing in the band for one reason or another. I wouldn't want that to happen. I hope he doesn't try toooo hard, when/if he makes his come back next weekend!! Also, you make a good point Inna; I suppose it makes a big difference where you are at with your life, with your love of Quo, and their importance in your life, as to how much these things mean. (Obviously some of the people on the other board need to get out more)!
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Post by curly and the model on Aug 16, 2014 15:36:23 GMT
Hi everyone, been away for a while on holiday. I came back, looked on the Quo sites yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks, and was stunned to see that Quo were going to play without Rick!!! I vaguely heard that he'd been ill and they'd cancelled some shows, but didn't take much notice and had forgotten to be honest (it happens quite regularly)! Now I don't go to watch Quo in the summer (in the UK) any more; shortened set, don't like outdoor gigs, very casual (older) crowd etc. But it sparked my imaginaion. On one hand it was so wrong, but on the other hand it could be a unique, never to be repeated moment in Quo's history; or it could be a glimpse of the future. So I decided to be spontaneous and went! £40 for the ticket, £20 diesel, £10 food; a 2 hour journey from Manchester to Worksop (near Sheffield) during Friday rush hour and holiday traffic (but I was prepared for that, and it wasn't as bad as it could have been)! So I got there, and just 4 hours after deciding to go, I was standing in a cold, muddy field waiting for a Rickless Quo (I wonder if he went to watch it? think I saw a photo of him on a boat with his son which RPJ tweeted, so probably not)? Anyway, skipping over all the 'rights or wrongs' of it, which are going on over on the 'dark side'; I went because I wanted to go, I was intrigued. I noted the set list in my phone between songs. Caroline Paper Plane Hold You Back Rock n Roll n You Beginning of the End (it could be)!! Medley -What You're Proposing -Down the Dustpipe -Wild Side of Life -Railroad (missed out Again and Again) (straight into) Don't Waste My Time (instead of Big Fat Mama) The Oriental Creeping (Rhino sung it...well)! Army Drum Solo Roll Over Lay Down Down Down Whatever you Want (Andy sung lead vocal) Rockin (Freddie played Rick's solo parts, middle and end) ---- Burning Bridges Bye Bye Johnny (played as the FF played it with 2 verses and no solo) A few other points: I stood near the front on Rick's (Freddie's) side. - I thought the sound was awesome for an outdoor gig. Freddie's guitar sounded great. - He mainly played a new looking white tele, but played a red and orange Gibson (I think) on HYB and WYW - He looked nervous (naturally), was concentrating hard, didn't try to be Rick, and didn't really join in with the normal banter. - He had a microphone (mainly for his spare plectrums I think) but didn't sing at all. - I think Leon had a singing mic but can't remember seeing him sing (probably missed it) * additional note - Leon looked a lot more relaxed and confident than last winter, and looked to be enjoying it. That's the nuts and bolts of it. In my opinion; I knew Freddie would be good, they wouldn't have gone ahead and done it otherwise. I thought his playing was brilliant. 95% as good as Rick; very little difference to notice, even as a Quo stalwart of 70 gigs! Did I miss Rick - yes. But it was a great experience and I'm glad they did it. The backing vocals did suffer, but that was only to be expected. Andy and Rhino did some, but Frame also sung some parts on his own where RP would normally have dueted with him (such as Caroline, Hold you back, Army etc). I very much doubt that the casual fan would have noticed this. The set list was slightly different; they can do it when they have to (Rossi solo, FF, no Rick)!! Francis was awesome last night; but then I suppose he had to be! People came to see Quo; he was Quo last night. He stepped up, filled the void (as much as was possible). His playing was brilliant (almost to FF standards), he was funny, energetic and carried the vocals superbly. I really enjoyed it (I'd be shot for saying that on the dark side!); and if the worst were to happen and Francis wanted to carry on, I could accept what I saw last night (Mick Hucknall was the only original left in Simply Red for years)! Curly, I didn't realise you were going. We'll have to meet up next time we're at the same gig! What did you think? Good review.
Yep love to meet
Next for us is Mannheim Then a few gigs in December, Liverpool Birmingham O2 Brighton.
See you out there
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Aug 16, 2014 15:46:27 GMT
Good review.
Yep love to meet
Next for us is Mannheim Then a few gigs in December, Liverpool Birmingham O2 Brighton.
See you out there
I think we're going to Liverpool....usually do!
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Post by Crapmodem on Aug 16, 2014 18:52:45 GMT
Great report.
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Post by bigbadjono on Aug 17, 2014 1:48:23 GMT
Great report mate
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 15:50:12 GMT
Another great read! Thanks very much for doing these reports - they're a good insight for the ones of us who haven't managed to get to the gigs but were wondering how it would go without Rick and how Freddie would be feeling. Nice to read 3 different reports on it and get snippets of interest from all of you on various aspects of the gig. Thanks IAC
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