Well, that's a wrap on this blog. I'm done.
I'd like to thank anyone who visited me, and I hope you found it entertaining, fun and worth your while.
I'd especially like to thank those who took the time to help me by providing content: Mike (RTM) for the Monmouth setlist, Toni (Platform Boots) and Mal for the details on the Monday and Tuesday shows, Madeline for providing links and event information, Steve for the Monmouth pictures, Keith and Morgan for sitting for the videos.
The trip was all I could ask for, with the visit to Ireland and the three MTH shows being experiences of a lifetime. I saw old friends and made new ones. Thanks to Keith for being my running mate in London, to Spike Lavender for the Fruit Fusion, and to Toni for graciously allowing me to keep a Martin Chambers drumstick that by the laws of fair play should have been his. It will have a good home and a prominent display.
I learned so many things about blogging. I could easily rattle off 20 things I'd do differently, and better, if the opportunity arises again. But I think this MTH experience -- from the day in January the shows were announced until today -- was the perfect topic for blogging, for me anyway.
The shows were a solid A. As I've said, I wish they'd mixed the setlist at least a bit from night to night, and I wish they'd given some light to Bender and Fisher. But overall it was fantastic. My lasting memory will be of pounding the stage from seat A7 and screaming along to The Moon Upstairs. I was out of my mind.
Finally, Mott the Hoople played again and after 35 years of waiting, I was in the front row. There is no better.
Thanks for your time.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What's next?
Five nights at Hammersmith are behind us, and we're all wondering if that was the end for Mott the Hoople.
I wasn't able to get definitive answers. I don't think there are any.
There's no doubt the band will get offers in the immediate aftermath. The shows were extremely well-received. How much of that was based on pure nostalgia is a matter of opinion, but there must be short-term demand for more.
I still say the most likely course is a two- or three-day residency at a mid-sized New York venue such as Nokia Theatre at Times Square. Nothing larger, or smaller, would make financial sense. And I could see this happening in May, the same month as the 1974 Broadway shows. I don't think we're talking years of wait this time.
Here are the issues -- remember, I know nothing:
The drums: Buffin is out of the question. And with the reunion buzz done, he probably wouldn't even appear at subsequent performances. I thought the way they handled his situation was classy and appropriate. I thought they should have given him an introduction on Friday and Saturday, but then I realized they didn't introduce Verden Allen either.
Martin Chambers would be the ideal replacement, but complications with his own management or the Pretenders might scotch that idea. The Great Pretender (I stole that, it's great) was listed as a support musician on these shows and probably got less of a cut, but I can't see that happening again. If he plays again, he's a member of MTH. Martin's role in these shows is being applauded across the board. MTH fans love him now.
Steve Holley would be another capable choice.
Pete Watts: He's saying he doesn't know if he wants to do anymore. All I can say is, fans loved seeing him up there again, he looked great and can still perform. Pete, you haven't got another 35 years to play the Hamlet role. Get on board. If it's just Ian, Mick and Verden calling themselves MTH, my interest meter is way down.
(But when Ian said Tuesday that "Pete's still undecided," the implication is that the other three are decided).
Ian Hunter: One thing I missed in my stay in London was this interview with Ian and Joe Elliott in the Independent. So Joe was everywhere -- a fan, a journalist, a support act, a backup vocalist. Where does it end? But he did get Ian to say a few interesting things.
One of them was Ian's admission that Man Overboard had been "obliterated" by the MTH shows, an opinion I gave earlier on this blog. So again, what does the MTH pursuit do to the solo career of a 70-year-old man? He can't work year-round. A U.S. tour for Man Overboard was a casualty of these MTH shows.
Tour or no?: Mott the Hoople won't tour. Ian said as much in the Joe Elliott interview. Again -- a residency in New York. Maybe a couple of nights in Glasgow.
My conclusion: We'll see them again before the end of 2010. And it should really end there.
I wasn't able to get definitive answers. I don't think there are any.
There's no doubt the band will get offers in the immediate aftermath. The shows were extremely well-received. How much of that was based on pure nostalgia is a matter of opinion, but there must be short-term demand for more.
I still say the most likely course is a two- or three-day residency at a mid-sized New York venue such as Nokia Theatre at Times Square. Nothing larger, or smaller, would make financial sense. And I could see this happening in May, the same month as the 1974 Broadway shows. I don't think we're talking years of wait this time.
Here are the issues -- remember, I know nothing:
The drums: Buffin is out of the question. And with the reunion buzz done, he probably wouldn't even appear at subsequent performances. I thought the way they handled his situation was classy and appropriate. I thought they should have given him an introduction on Friday and Saturday, but then I realized they didn't introduce Verden Allen either.
Martin Chambers would be the ideal replacement, but complications with his own management or the Pretenders might scotch that idea. The Great Pretender (I stole that, it's great) was listed as a support musician on these shows and probably got less of a cut, but I can't see that happening again. If he plays again, he's a member of MTH. Martin's role in these shows is being applauded across the board. MTH fans love him now.
Steve Holley would be another capable choice.
Pete Watts: He's saying he doesn't know if he wants to do anymore. All I can say is, fans loved seeing him up there again, he looked great and can still perform. Pete, you haven't got another 35 years to play the Hamlet role. Get on board. If it's just Ian, Mick and Verden calling themselves MTH, my interest meter is way down.
(But when Ian said Tuesday that "Pete's still undecided," the implication is that the other three are decided).
Ian Hunter: One thing I missed in my stay in London was this interview with Ian and Joe Elliott in the Independent. So Joe was everywhere -- a fan, a journalist, a support act, a backup vocalist. Where does it end? But he did get Ian to say a few interesting things.
One of them was Ian's admission that Man Overboard had been "obliterated" by the MTH shows, an opinion I gave earlier on this blog. So again, what does the MTH pursuit do to the solo career of a 70-year-old man? He can't work year-round. A U.S. tour for Man Overboard was a casualty of these MTH shows.
Tour or no?: Mott the Hoople won't tour. Ian said as much in the Joe Elliott interview. Again -- a residency in New York. Maybe a couple of nights in Glasgow.
My conclusion: We'll see them again before the end of 2010. And it should really end there.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday gig?
I'm back in Texas.
I'm hoping fans will kindly share details of the Monday show, which by my reckoning ended half an hour ago.
Any setlist changes? Guests on stage?
How was Glen Matlock?
Thanks.
I'm hoping fans will kindly share details of the Monday show, which by my reckoning ended half an hour ago.
Any setlist changes? Guests on stage?
How was Glen Matlock?
Thanks.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Some fan pictures (pictures of fans that is)
Keith from Albuquerque, blog author, Mark and Kendra (Mr. and Ms. Rooster) from Philadelphia
Blog author and Gerry from Tallahassee, Fla.
Rick and Patti from Boston, blog author from Dallas, Janet and Andy from San Francisco, Gordon from Winnipeg.
Saturday video: The Moon Upstairs
An early sound glitch, but still OK. Song was the best in the set IMO.
"I swear to you, before we're through you're gonna feel our every blow. We ain't bleeding you, we're feeding you, but you're too f***ing slow."
The Saturday Gig
I'll post pics and videos when I get back to the USA tonight. I videoed five songs, Hymn for Dudes, Angeline, Born Late, Mother and Moon Upstairs.
Those of us expecting special guests didn't get 'em. That was a flight of fancy on part of the fans. Only Joe Elliott back out for Dudes. It was funny when some guy came out with Overend's big, white bass (is that the T-bird?) and started playing it. Everyone's thinking, who's he? But it was just a roadie.
Support was Rumble Strips. No one famous, but the best of the three so far. Actually pretty good.
No major set changes again. They played a bit of Your Cheatin Heart and a Jerry Lee Lewis song I didn't know. Also played a couple of verses of Knockin on Heaven's Door.
Ian: That's a pretty good song. Who wrote that?
Overend: Me.
UPDATE: I want to reinforce just how classy Martin Chambers has been. There is his treatment of Buffin, which everyone has noticed. Also he stays in the background allowing the other four to have the limelight. When they come forward to the crowd during The Saturday Gigs, it's Ian, Mick, Pete and Verden, not Martin.
Sorry for the quick rehash, I'll have more later.
Those of us expecting special guests didn't get 'em. That was a flight of fancy on part of the fans. Only Joe Elliott back out for Dudes. It was funny when some guy came out with Overend's big, white bass (is that the T-bird?) and started playing it. Everyone's thinking, who's he? But it was just a roadie.
Support was Rumble Strips. No one famous, but the best of the three so far. Actually pretty good.
No major set changes again. They played a bit of Your Cheatin Heart and a Jerry Lee Lewis song I didn't know. Also played a couple of verses of Knockin on Heaven's Door.
Ian: That's a pretty good song. Who wrote that?
Overend: Me.
UPDATE: I want to reinforce just how classy Martin Chambers has been. There is his treatment of Buffin, which everyone has noticed. Also he stays in the background allowing the other four to have the limelight. When they come forward to the crowd during The Saturday Gigs, it's Ian, Mick, Pete and Verden, not Martin.
Sorry for the quick rehash, I'll have more later.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday show
Way late, huh? And my camera battery expired, so no visual evidence. (If you've got shots you'd like to share, I'll be happy to post; let me know. We especially need pictures of Pete's outfit).
Anyway ...
This was the night Pete Watts went back to being Overend Watts. He was all over the stage. He came to the front so often I thought he'd be playing in the front row at any moment. And he talked quite a bit. "We're now a four-piece," he said when Ian Hunter went offstage to get something or other. "Ian's retired."
Better show than Thursday because of the energy shown. I can't say enough about how much fun they seem to be having, unlike what I've heard about the Pink Floyd and Cream reunions. These guys seem really happy to be out there and to be together again. Also much more crowd interaction, Ian, Mick and Pete frequently came forward and extended hands to people up front.
No major setist changes. I fear it will be the same all three nights I'm here, shame. They dropped "Like a Rolling Stone," which was impromptu anyway. They added the old "one of the boys, two of the boys, three of the boys" routine to "One of the Boys" after not doing it Thursday.
At one point Ian asked, "How many were here last night," and got a loud response.
"See," he said, "we've only sold about 40 tickets, 900 times over."
Ian also rolled out his old joke about asking for requests. The twist was that Overend came to the mike and requested "Angeline," which, of course, was the next song on the setlist.
Same deal with Buffin, except, believe it or not, he wasn't introduced. Also he didn't walk stage front before the encore, just started off on the drum throne. Better that way. On Thursday, people were shocked and saddened watching him stumble to his spot.
Ian thanked Jimmy Page and Mick Jones for being there. I didn't see them. He also implied that Noel Gallagher was there and dedicated a song to him. He said Duran Duran had been there Thursday. I was told Mick Box was there Thursday buying T-shirts.
Joe Elliott wasn't out for "Dudes" on Friday.
Gotta say some words about Martin Chambers. The man is a powerhouse. As someone said I believe in my comments section, he's really driving the band. I don't know the band's plans going forward, but if they do New York as rumored you need to hope Martin is a part of it. He's listed as a guest musician on the program. The program also elaborates on his previous relationship with Buffin and Pete.
Correction from Thursday: Mick Ralphs' son is James. Addition from Thursday: The other woman in the chorus is Phoebe White from Tracey's band.
Another slight change Friday that worked for me: They had Stan Tippins, back in the chorus, doing the "I've got this friend, he's a screwdriver-jiver" portion of "Honaloochie Boogie." Great idea, as Ian often screws it up.
Oh, on the so-called Golden Tickets: It's disorganized. You're supposed to get various bonuses with tickets in the front two rows, but they're not being proactive about it. You've got to seek them out and ask. I did. The bonus is a program signed by all five MTH members and Martin, a poster also signed and a laminate. No T-shirt. The T-shirts are pretty nice, price 18 pounds.
Anyway ...
This was the night Pete Watts went back to being Overend Watts. He was all over the stage. He came to the front so often I thought he'd be playing in the front row at any moment. And he talked quite a bit. "We're now a four-piece," he said when Ian Hunter went offstage to get something or other. "Ian's retired."
Better show than Thursday because of the energy shown. I can't say enough about how much fun they seem to be having, unlike what I've heard about the Pink Floyd and Cream reunions. These guys seem really happy to be out there and to be together again. Also much more crowd interaction, Ian, Mick and Pete frequently came forward and extended hands to people up front.
No major setist changes. I fear it will be the same all three nights I'm here, shame. They dropped "Like a Rolling Stone," which was impromptu anyway. They added the old "one of the boys, two of the boys, three of the boys" routine to "One of the Boys" after not doing it Thursday.
At one point Ian asked, "How many were here last night," and got a loud response.
"See," he said, "we've only sold about 40 tickets, 900 times over."
Ian also rolled out his old joke about asking for requests. The twist was that Overend came to the mike and requested "Angeline," which, of course, was the next song on the setlist.
Same deal with Buffin, except, believe it or not, he wasn't introduced. Also he didn't walk stage front before the encore, just started off on the drum throne. Better that way. On Thursday, people were shocked and saddened watching him stumble to his spot.
Ian thanked Jimmy Page and Mick Jones for being there. I didn't see them. He also implied that Noel Gallagher was there and dedicated a song to him. He said Duran Duran had been there Thursday. I was told Mick Box was there Thursday buying T-shirts.
Joe Elliott wasn't out for "Dudes" on Friday.
Gotta say some words about Martin Chambers. The man is a powerhouse. As someone said I believe in my comments section, he's really driving the band. I don't know the band's plans going forward, but if they do New York as rumored you need to hope Martin is a part of it. He's listed as a guest musician on the program. The program also elaborates on his previous relationship with Buffin and Pete.
Correction from Thursday: Mick Ralphs' son is James. Addition from Thursday: The other woman in the chorus is Phoebe White from Tracey's band.
Another slight change Friday that worked for me: They had Stan Tippins, back in the chorus, doing the "I've got this friend, he's a screwdriver-jiver" portion of "Honaloochie Boogie." Great idea, as Ian often screws it up.
Oh, on the so-called Golden Tickets: It's disorganized. You're supposed to get various bonuses with tickets in the front two rows, but they're not being proactive about it. You've got to seek them out and ask. I did. The bonus is a program signed by all five MTH members and Martin, a poster also signed and a laminate. No T-shirt. The T-shirts are pretty nice, price 18 pounds.
Ronson gathering
A gathering took place Saturday afternoon to hype a new book about Mick Ronson and to push his candidacy for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
Packed room when I was there. Mick's mother, Minnie, his wife, Suzi, and his daughter, Lisa, were all there. (Above picture, me with Suzi; below, me with Mick's belt and stage clothes). We were told Lou Reed had come earlier in the day.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Musician talks MTH
Guitarist Keith Drummond of Albuquerque discussed MTH.
Keith was most recently in the band Saddlesores and now exploring writing songs for movies and other media.
Keith was most recently in the band Saddlesores and now exploring writing songs for movies and other media.
Pre-show stuff, Texans return
They were pitching the CDs hard. 20 pounds. Workers were out front handing out cards. I might get one Saturday.
I didn't go to the T-shirt stand but they look pretty nice, 4-5 varieties all black. So I don't know the price. There are posters too.
Only rock figure I saw was Leee Black Childers (and if Matt Baker is still out there, it really is Leee).
Our friends the Texans were on hand, and I correct myself from yesterday, there are six. Never thought I'd see a bunch of tough Texans falling over themselves to be photographed with Leee Black Childers, but there you go.
Top photo: Texans (except this Texan) and Leee Black Childers. We are missing a Texan.
Second photo: Me, Texans all accounted for and a couple of CD pushers
Last photo: Me, Keith and Leee Black Childers. Oh yeah: I dressed in black so nobody sees you, smile from the wings and tell me I please you. Call me a king and wait for the woodworm to choke me.
Small bit of video
They were letting you do everything -- flash, video etc. I was in A7, great opportunity, but camera ran out of juice quickly.
Anyway I got a little bit of "Sucker," here you go:
That's what I get for taking photo after photo of Texans with Leee Black Childers.
Tonight I'm in G45, I'll juice up the camera but the best opportunity has passed.
Thursday's show
MOTT THE HOOPLE SETLIST
Jupiter
Hymn for the Dudes
Rock N Roll Queen
Sweet Jane
One of the Boys
Sucker
The Moon Upstairs
Acoustic portion
The Original Mixed Up Kid
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Ready for Love
Born Late '58
Ballad of Mott the Hoople
Sweet Angeline
Walkin with a Mountain/Jumpin Jack Flash
Like a Rolling Stone
The Journey
Golden Age of Rock N Roll
Honaloochie Boogie
All the Way from Memphis
Encore I (with Buffin)
Roll Away the Stone
All the Young Dudes
Keep a Knockin
Encore II
The Saturday Gigs
They played for a little over two hours. Buffin came out only for the three songs on the first encore. They had a second drum kit set up for him. He needed assistance. It was moving to see Martin Chambers help Buffin onto the drum chair and off, and lead applause for him. Buffin did bang away on his kit and kept a rhythm, but someone was crouched behind him in case of accident. It still was good to see him. Wonder if he'll come out tonight?
They had a chorus line of five backing vocalists on some songs. They were Ian's kids Jesse and Tracey, Mick Ralphs' son (is it Stan?), Stan Tippins with cowboy hat, and a woman I did not know. A sixth choruser joined them on ATYD -- Joe Elliott. He also came to the front and sang a verse (yeah, I know -- Joe Elliott got stage time and Morgan and Ariel didn't). Joe wore a T-shirt with the name of MMA fighter Randy Couture.
Mick had a goldish, spotted jacket, which he soon took off and went with a white shirt and black pants, Ian the same topped by a black jacket. Verden had a maroon T-shirt. He's rail-thin. Pete had on a multi-colored sweater that made him look like he was off to ski the Alps after these shows, and with all the money they're making, he could. The only concession to glam of anyone was Pete wearing white shoes.
The front line, Mick, Ian and Pete, looked really relaxed and into it. They clearly were enjoying it. Mick and Pete came to the edge of the stage several times. Pete came all the way across the stage once. I did not really see Verden interacting with the others, but I was on the other side of the stage. They lined up Mick left, Ian center, then Pete and Verden with Martin in back. Ian had keys all the way to the left and played them on maybe four songs.
The band smoked on the rockers, I mean smoked. The Moon Upstairs was off-the-hook good and a highlight for me as I'd never heard it live before. If you'd closed your eyes you'd never guess these were performers aged 65 and up. Angeline and Memphis were also highlights for me, though I hear them all the time with Ian's band. Mick's solo on Honaloochie Boogie was amazing -- made the song a lot different from the novelty song Ian has made it out to be in recent years. It was great.
They came forward on stools for a two-song acoustic set with Martin on bongos.
Finish of The Saturday Gigs saw Mick, Ian, Pete and Verden come to the front and lead the fans in singing "Goodbye, goodbye!" a capella, and they walked off with this as the backdrop. They teased another song but this was it.
Everyone I talked to was really satisfied, and overall so was I. You can go on about setlists, but I'd really rather hear "No Wheels to Ride" than "Sweet Jane," NWTR being a group composition that would bolster the representation of the earlier albums.
Oh I got a drumstick -- off the floor after it had struck my seatmate Platform Boots in the face. Yes, I offered it to him -- twice! But he was kind enough to let me bring it back to the U.S. Thanks Toni! Martin had broken it at the end of The Moon Upstairs and I guess heaved it. Martin should be an Olympic javelin-tosser.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Party for MTH fans
We had about 125 persons at the Inn on the Green on Wednesday night -- from all over the U.S. and the U.K. Four guys from Texas, unknown to the rest of us, walked in saying, "We heard there was a Mott the Hoople party here tonight." For those of you back at (my) home, they're from Kennedale. One guy looked like he was from not only another place, but also another time -- about 1880. He had a handlebar moustache, beard and long hair. He looked the way Brits think all of us in Texas look. I wondered if he had a horse parked outside. Anyway they all wound up on stage chorusing "All the Young Dudes." (I've got to do a better job of thinking video. I should have gotten you a picture of said Texan. I did tell them I was from Cedar Hill. I'm kicking myself for not jumping up on stage with them, everyone was having such a good time). Highlight was our beloved Scotsman Willie singing, or rather kazooing, "No Wheels to Ride" with Billy Oblivion and the Legendary DNA Cowboys -- a song Willie is apparently going to be denied tonight. Here's a pic of Willie's moment and a video of Billy O's band on "Irene Wilde."Notes on tonight
Some random stuff ...
Word is Buffin's out only for the encore(s). No surprise there. Those who were at Monmouth are very impressed with Martin Chambers.
There is talk of bringing it to the U.S. I'll try to find out more.
Those at Monmouth say Ian looks invigorated by all this. That will be something to see.
Word is Buffin's out only for the encore(s). No surprise there. Those who were at Monmouth are very impressed with Martin Chambers.
There is talk of bringing it to the U.S. I'll try to find out more.
Those at Monmouth say Ian looks invigorated by all this. That will be something to see.
Morgan Fisher talks MTH
Morgan Fisher, keyboard player for Mott the Hoople on the album The Hoople and the 1974 tour, is giving an exhibition of his photography at the Troubador in London simultaneously with the MTH reunion shows. I went to visit. He's very gracious, and his photos and videos are an interesting behind-the scenes look at the band, kind of the visual equivalent to Ian Hunter's Diary of a Rock Star. By the way, John Fiddler, singer for the post-MTH ensemble British Lions, was on hand also. He lives in Phoenix these days. Morgan said that he is disappointed he has not been invited to perform at the Hammersmith shows (and I'm disappointed as well), but he said the timing at least is giving him a chance to meet fans and show his work to fans. He lives in Japan. Hear what he had to say about his experience in Mott the Hoople.
Day 0: It's here!
"The show's gonna move, everybody groove
There ain't no trouble on the streets now
So if the going gets rough, don't you blame us
You ninety-six decibel freaks!"
-- The Golden Age of Rock N Roll (1974)
The picture I've waited 35 years for, 'nough said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
