Glitz Blitz and 70's Hitz UK
Tour Location:
Palace Theatre Photos by: Malcolm Knowles, Linda Welch |
Peter
Phil, Rob and Peter during "La Cumbia"
Rob and Phil at the Nickelodeon
Rob and Phil at the Nickelodeon
Grant and Peter during "Girls Girls Girls"
The end of the show
A Glass Of
Champagne
La Cumbia
The Old Nickelodeon Sound
Karma Chameleon
Latino Medley
Sailor's Hornpipe
The Full Monty
Girls, Girls, Girls
Champagne Reprise
SAILOR fans in Manchester united! - A concert review by Malcolm Knowles:
Having renewed
acquaintances with other SAILOR fans on the front row, Eileen and
I were ready for our first gig of the long awaited UK tour.
We knew the band would only play for about 35 minutes but the
question was would they make the best of that time? Helped a bit
by the domination of SAILOR fans on the front row, it did not
take long to get us cheering and singing along. Well done to
Linda for wearing her full SAILOR gear and doing us all proud.
When Phil made his remark about the front row being like the
Rocky Horror Show (hopefully a reference to dressing up for a
concert rather than meaning we looked scary) I could only feel
guilty that I was not wearing the usual captains hat, etc.
Later on the tour perhaps?
After the opening "A Glass Of Champagne", "La
Cumbia", "The Old Nickelodeon Sound" (personal
favourite!!), "Karma Chameleon" and "Latino
Medley" there was a worrying moment when the music struck up
for the "Full Monty" just 20 minutes or so into the
set. We expecting to see them finish with the "Full
Monty" and began to think that the anticipated 35 minutes
would be even shorter. Thankfully it was a false alarm with
"Girls Girls Girls" and "Champagne (reprise)"
still there to complete the set. So there it was, marvellous of
course.
In truth, I feel they could probably have done even better.
Whilst the audience seemed to rise to humour of the "Full
Monty" and sung gently along with "Karma
Chameleon", this set was far too short to play covers.
Whilst the set provides a professional warm up for the other
bands, it does not do SAILOR the justice they deserve in their
own right. UK audiences are different from those in other
countries and will generally regard bands who perform covers as
bands who have insufficient material of their own. This is
clearly not true of SAILOR who do have a huge back catalogue of
great stuff to call upon. Personally, I would like to have seen
them open with the amazing "Sailor" (their trademark
track) and to include "Josephine Baker", "Stiletto
Heels", "Traffic Jam", "One Drink Too
Many" as well as "Girls Girls Girls" and "The
Old Nickelodeon Sound" and then finish on a high with
"A Glass Of Champagne". This is all up beat stuff
which, even if unfamiliar to some, I am sure would gain the
admiration of UK audiences old and new. Lets face it, those
are the tracks which made most of us fall in love with the band
in the first place and I see no reason they should not capture
the imagination of a whole new generation today. Plus, it would
create a far stronger demand for "Buried Treasure" and
probably even help encourage the release of the back catalogue.
Go on boys, be brave and play a proper SAILOR set
theres nothing to lose.
However, all this is just a personal viewpoint. It was still
lovely to see the band again and Ill certainly be attending
a few more dates before the tour ends.
And finally
to anyone who still hasnt bought a ticket
for Glitz, Blitz and 70s Hitz do so now. There are very few bills
which will give you so much value for your money.
Copyright by Malcolm Knowles, 22 February 2005
Concert Photos |