Venue:
Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Date: 05/03/2015
Trevor Horn has been responsible for some great records. Most of them were released under other people’s names but he’s had plenty of credit for his work. I think we all have a fair idea that Frankie Goes To Hollywood might not have sounded quite the same without Trevor and his studio crew. So there are plenty of people willing to pay to listen to him and a band of terrific musicians play some of “his” greatest hits. And one evening only offers enough time to play a smattering of them. Last night, Seal was suffering from the after-effects of ‘flu and couldn’t sing (no sniggering please) but there was still plenty to enjoy. Lol Creme was one of the band so we heard him sing Rubber Bullets and accompany one of the excellent “house” vocalists on I’m Not In Love. I won’t try to remember the setlist – they rattled through a lot of stuff – but the standard of playing was superb. One highlight was an instrumental version of Two Tribes which, shorn of vocals, sounded rather like an Asia outtake. Continuing the prog theme, we had the pleasure of a short extract of Soon from Gates of Delirium as a lead in to Owner Of A Lonely Heart. And, of course, we had Video Killed The Radio Star, sounding better than ever. Talented bloke, cracking band, excellent concert.
The audience:
Mostly of an age with Trevor and the band. Listening to the music and loving it. Big cheers when someone loudly requested Tempus Fugit.
It made me think..
I don’t normally go to concerts where records are reproduced so faithfully. No-one (not even Geoff Downes) was allowed to let rip on a solo that wasn’t on the record. Sometimes its nice to have a bit of a change.
Soon seems an odd choice Steve, and thanks for the gig report.
A very odd choice. Trevor said something like it was an effort to commune with Jon Anderson’s spirit. If it was meant to be a gag, it fell flat. But Soon is worth hearing whatever the context.
Jon Anderson, after the break at an ABWH gig at Wembley said something like, “During the interval, we’ve had some requests. [pause] But we’re going to carry on. [pause] Rick made me say that.” It was the way he told it!