The quality of performers that we have had playing locally has improved immensely over the last few years and over the last 13 months or so, I personally have seen Spandau Ballet, The Feeling, Calvin Harris, Jools Holland with both Alison Moyet and Mark Almond, Imelda May, Elton John and last night Blondie.
Although the very first album I bought was 'Parallel Lines' which I believe was their second album, I really wasn't sure what to expect because that was 33 years ago and rumour had it that the reviews of the current tour had been mixed to say the least.
When the chum for whom I bought tickets dreamed wistfully, of staring at the stage and remembering his unrequited love of yesteryear, I brought him, back to earth somewhat harshly by reminding him that the object of our teenage lust had been in her thirties the first around but it has to be said that Debbie Harry did look remarkably well for a lady reputedly in her mid sixties.
In honesty, I had been more worried about the voice, especially as she eschewed backing singers, used by Roger Daltry to help him reach the high notes at the Peel Bay Festival in 2007. Obviously, it wasn't quite as strong and clean as it was in the seventies and eighties but she was still able to give what I thought was a very creditable performance.
The night began with a few old favourites, before the band moved on to some of their newer material in the middle section and then wound the Royal Hall up for the big crescendo. The musicians themselves were excellent, with Debbie Harry's main collaborator, Chris Stein still present as well as Clem Burke, the original drummer. They have been joined by an extremely good guitarist, Tommy Kessler, keyboard player, Matt Katz-Bohen and their bassist since 1997, Leigh Fox.
The best performers tend to make their audience believe that this night is special to them while DH informed us that the Triskellion t-shirt wearing Chris Stein had been to the Island 40 years previously and though it was her first visit that they'd enjoyed playing the tourist earlier in the day.
They didn't quite play all the tunes that I'd have like to have heard, understandably for the likes of album track 11:55 but less so their first hit from Parallel Lines, 'Picture This' and I don't particularly like the way that all bands tend to drag out their encore songs for ages when others remain unplayed but these were minor gripes about what I felt was a superlative evening's entertainment.
If they are coming anywhere near you, make sure you don't miss them.
No comments:
Post a Comment