Set List:
No Deal – The Game
– 50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain – Going Home – Good Morning Little
School Girl – Bad Blood – Love Like A Man – I'm Gonna Dance On
Your Tombstone I'd Love To Change The World (Acoustic Guitar) – The
World Won't Stop
Riff – Jam – Band
– Tennessee Plates (Elvis Cadillac) – The Smoke – I'm Going Home
Working On The Road – King Of The Blues.
This Time Around/Concert
Review
I used to be the first
one in and last one out, for Ten Years After and Hundred Seventy Split
concerts. These days, I stop for dinner and make the concert tight at
show time, hang around awhile and get home before midnight. The weather
was simply beautiful for October. Bought my ticket from a nice little
lady at the door, who had a good sense of humour like myself and then
allowed my wife to also enter without buying a ticket, as Elke was only
taking a little look and then heading back home after fifteen minutes.
I took up a place at
the end of the bar along the wall end. The two ladies behind the bar
were helpful, curious and left me to myself without further inspection.
I had my notebook, a pen and was ready to write down my impression of
this concert. I could very easily have come across as a suspicious
character, I wanted to explain myself later and not at the present
moment. These nice people le me be. Elke pointed out to me, the
television located behind the bar showing the band on stage. We walked
over to the staircase to view the stage from that angle, when to our
good luck – down came Joe, Leo and Damon and I extended my hand and
all three shook it with their usual friendship. What a good feeling to
know.
Elke caught one song
and part of the second and then headed back home, as she offered to drop
me off was well all, and I thank her for that.
What I am witnessing
now is the bands fan base growing and with younger dedicated fans. We
have seen this happening in the last ten years, the difference now is,
it has legs of its own. It's rolling along of its own accord, and that
also gives us all great comfort and personal satisfaction. In memory of
Herb Staehr – Support of both Bands an the Websites Involved. Most of
all- last and not least, you the fans our friends and the bands who
support our efforts.
As I sit here, I'm
listening to the music, every note. I don't need to watch every movement
on stage, as I'm involved in watching the audience moment to moment.
Action and reaction. Human nature in action, body language and emotions
in motion. The band is providing a soundtrack for my visual landscape
movie. I'm able to hear Joe changing up some of the standard song riffs
of the classic band, some of the lyrics in 50,000 miles for example,
those that fit Joe's style much better. This includes Joe's vocal style
as well – and this positive comment coming from the fans during the
concert. How Joe's vocals have improved over time, and my comment in
return about Joe's guitar playing being so under control, and how easy
it would be for him to just let loose without any conscience thought,
shows his discipline and maturity. Yes, yes, "Two Young Lions And
One Old Dog". Said with all due respect ! The bands music is
Back-ground. I'm looking for friendly, familiar faces That I've known in
the past. I recognize not a single one. Although I do talk with many new
faces this evening. All good people indeed. Starting with the two
bartenders as you prefer to call them. The one is 27 years old and the
other, a few years her senior. They smile, wink and laugh while they
work, and they make their work fun. I am no threat to them, quiet and
just observing. As time goes by I'll fill them in on who I am and why
I'm there. In fact the younger one asked me if I work for a local
newspaper ? Or magazine ? I'm writing a concert review for my website I
reply. I have been at this venue twice before, and my website partner
has been here twice before as well. I missed one and she came with our
good friend Anita, and I'm here tonight and they are not.
The second person that
I spent an hour talking with, was the owner. I knew him from before, but
that was a few years ago, about 5-8 years now. I'm proud of what he's
accomplished with this venue of his and expressed this to him. I also
told him about these two bands - "The Laura Cox Band" and
"The Mona Lisa Twins". There's many new artists out there, but
you really have to look for them. At this J.K.J. Venue there's roughly
125 photos hanging on the wall of artists have previously performed here.
Also, full house here is 200. Robin Trower was here I did notice. The
owner was sorry that communications have broken off with Ten Years
After. He wanted to book them at his club too. I liked this man when I
first met him, and I feel the same way now … he listens, and his heart
is in everything he does.
The Band Plays On:
I'm paying attention
and watching them on the T.V. set. The audience is very active and
attentive to everything that's going on, I'm sure they've all had some
contact with the band or know of Ten Years After … "The Classic
Years". The band played on, on the road, off the road or in the
recording studio … always busy, playing and productive. How many years,
how many albums, how many tours now, how many more ? It will end someday,
then those of us who really understand loss will really know the blues
too. One by one we losing our favourite musicians, actors and people
with names that we've grown up with fade away – into the black. My
advice is, catch them while they're still doing it, catch them live,
tell them what they've meant in your life. Say thank you in person !
Encore:
The band played their
hearts out, with all the passion they could muster, and talent they had
to offer their audience. The audience fed it all back – to the band
and thankful for what they were laying down for them. My point is,
nothing pretentious here, no waisted energy, no over the top fain-fair
no bells and whistles and all the other extra distractions. In my
opinion, the perfect playing for the perfect audience – plain and
simple. This audience was as respectful, as appreachtive and as
affectionate as the audience in attendance at their Undead Recorded Live
In Concert Recording.
Aftermath:
As I said, I was
sitting at the bar the entire time and from there I caught ever emotion
and conversation that could be had. Plus I could see at least half the
audience from that position. I talked to the ticket collector, two
bar-maids and the owner. Also, I had the chance to chat with a half
dozen fans and their guests too. The bar was doing a very brisk business,
which is also a good indicator of a comfortable eventing being had by
all.
I then moved across the
room and planted myself over by the merchandise table, sitting to the
left hand side of Leo, Joe and Damon – they were busy signing
autographs. When the crowd died down, I had the chance to ask Leo a few
quick questions which he answered. Then Joe and I had a chat, which is
always refreshing. Damon was last and like being with family again. Love
these guys !
A Fan's – Fan's:
As I sat there talking
it all in, I watched the fans come and go with elation and big smiles on
their faces. Getting autographs and buying posters, shirts and CD's.
After awhile, one fan stood out because he waited for his turn to step
forward to approach Leo. The fan is very easy for me to describe –
Paul Kossoff from "Frees" Fire and Water Album 1970. I
couldn't tell the difference … and as soon as this fan said "one
more question Leo" … I got it like a ton of bricks on the head.
It was him taking my place – the fan was in my place not long ago. To
which Leo was so patient in answering all of my endless inquiries as
well. The fan's beautiful girl-friend was standing there patiently
getting – impatient. Her boy-friend was in his glory and I know the
feeling first hand. Funny to be on the outside looking in these days.
Now as I'm writing this, I wish I had spent some time with him and his
girl-friend, but I already called a taxi – here in seven minutes and
I'm gone.
Ending On A High Note:
The Ticket Collector
– Two Bar Maids – The Owner and Four Fans – requested that I
return on November 20, 2018 to see "The Crazy World of Arthur
Brown" on Tour in Germany ! Celebrating 50 Years On "Fire
" !!! I'm planning on it … would like to meet "Mr.
Brown" in person.
I'm so happy that I
attended this concert – it's only 20 km from my house. I took no
photos, but wrote this review – for our website – the band and all
you loyal fans out there.
Dave Willey
