Further Reading

My review of Wojo's Weapons Volume 2 is included in the latest issue of CHESS.

For further information, please click here.

Gretchen Peters at The Arc

Gretchen Peters

The Arc, Stockton-on-Tees

2.3.2012

It's been nearly two years since I saw Gretchen Peters at The Sage. I enjoyed the show back in 2010 and was keen to catch Gretchen again this time around. The opportunity came a little closer to home than normal; Stockton's Arc, to be precise, which hosted a sizeable and very appreciative audience.

The evening started well, with support from Lynne Hanson, who played a very nice acoustic set.

Lynne Hanson

There wasn't much of a wait before Barry Walsh and Christine Bougie took the stage to open Hello Cruel World, the title track of Gretchen's new CD.

Hello Cruel World

Gretchen then appeared to very warm applause, sang the opening line, 'Haven’t done as well I thought I would/I'm not dead but I'm damaged goods...' and 90 excellent minutes of darkly-tinged Americana came our way.

St. Francis

There was no gap between the first two songs as they plunged straight into St. Francis. Only after that was there time for a little chat, starting with the greeting, 'How are we all doing?' Gretchen then outlined the musical agenda for the evening. 'You may guessed – I have a new record out' she said, going on to say that the reception it had so far received had left her thrilled, so she '...won’t have to do the sequel: Goodbye Cruel World'. 

Gretchen Peters

The plan was to play the new album in its entirety before playing a few of the more established songs. A good decision; the new album represents a very high watermark for Gretchen's music and to hear all of the new songs contrasted very well with the reflective, popular choices of the 2010 tour.

Switching to piano

Set List

Hello Cruel World

St. Francis

Matador

Dark Angel

Paradise Found

Woman on the Wheel

Five Minutes

Camille Natural Disaster

Idlewild

Little World 

Koblenz (Barry's instrumental track; played Gretchen-less)
The Secret of Life   ('All right – we’re going to play some that you know...')
Guadalupe 

To Say Goodbye 

The Secret of Life

Before the encore

Encore

Last Train To Clarksville ('This one goes out to Davy')
On A Bus To St. Cloud 

Lost in the song

The end of the show

Come back soon!

Post-show chat

Keep up to date with all things Gretchen Peters by visiting her official website.

All You Love Is All You Are

You may recall my previous enthusiastic coverage of Bride Jackson and The Arbour, particularly regarding their triumphant album launch at The Sage earlier this year.

Here's an opportunity to experience a performance of one of the songs played that night, the wonderful All You Love Is All You Are. I'd already picked this track as one of the best from the Bitter Lullabies CD when I reviewed it at the start of the year and I'm pleased to confirm that my judgement was sound.



There's a larger format version of the video here.

Gretchen Peters

Gretchen Peters delivered a powerful performance at The Arc last night. Very enjoyable!

Gretchen Peters

A full review will follow soon...

More Maverick

The latest issue of Maverick Magazine (March/April 2012) includes my review of Alison Krauss & Union Station at The Sage.

For ordering details, please visit the Maverick homepage.

Midge Ure at The Sage

Midge Ure

The Sage, Gateshead

11.2.2012

'Here we go!'

How time flies! It's nearly two full years since I last saw Ultravox on their highly successful reunion tour.

A new CD - and another tour - are due soon. Both are eagerly anticipated.

Meanwhile, it was good to see Midge again (albeit solo), this time at The Sage. With a cheery 'Here we go!' he started the evening with a powerful version of Waiting Days. The end of the song brought  enthusiastic applause. 'You’re easily pleased! That’s why I like coming here...', Midge quipped.

A big surprise followed. In reference to the ongoing Ultravox project, he said, 'Some weird stuff’s been going on since the last time I saw you...' before unexpectedly announcing 'I’m going to play you a song from that album now - but don’t tell the rest of the guys!'  That certainly ensured the audience paid full attention. The new song is a slow burning, soft and wistful ballad, which builds very nicely after a quiet start. He didn't announce the title, but it might well be This One, based on the recurring line:  ‘It’s hard to believe the time has come for this one, for this one...’ 

'Don’t tell the rest of the guys!'

Midge was on great form throughout the evening. His voice was strong and confident, his guitar playing exemplary and he seemed very happy and relaxed. There were various bits and pieces of witty banter, such as Midge revealing that he had '...a moment of realisation; I looked in the mirror and I think I’m losing my hair...'  Later, when a guitar string broke during Dear God, he said, 'That’s what I get for giving God a hard time’.

'Dear God'

The set list featured songs from all stages of his career.

Full set list

Waiting Years

This One (title unconfirmed)
Love’s Great Adventure
Lady Stardust

Fade to Grey

Wastelands

One Small Day

Lament

You Lied

Man of the World

Fields of Fire

Breathe (‘My Valentines gift to you all’)
Dear God 

No Regrets

Vienna

Dancing With Tears in My Eyes

Ready for the encore...

Encore:

All Fall Down

If I Was

The end of an excellent evening

It was a fine show and we now await further Ultravox news...

Death Notes

I think you'll agree that this is the
most impressive notepad around

Good for all those 'poison pen' letters