The Return to
Glasgow
Making an
emotional return to Glasgow – motherland to James Dewar and Davey Pattison
- this is the Trower band’s first performance in the great city in a long,
long time.
Couples
scowl the line of fans looking for “any spare tickets” as we stand patiently,
waiting for the doors to open. A very late sound check brings a slight
delay. To save time, Aynsley’s drummer, Richard will play Pete’s kit tonight
for the Lister band set.
Miraculously,
Laurie and Guy throw it all together, their usual, abundant and effortless
professionalism evident in all they do.
Inside,
the sell-out crowd is in jovial mood. Any disappointment remaining after
the calamity on the Clyde - the gig on the Renfrew ferry cancelled literally
minutes before the doors were due to open, almost three years ago - has
long since evaporated. The waiting is over as Robin rips into the opening
bars of ‘Twice removed from yesterday’.
It’s a
very special night for two families – the Dewars and the Pattisons.
Robin dedicates
‘For Earth Below’ to James Dewar and ‘Hannah’ to Jimmy’s daughter, Wendy,
who is in the house tonight. Davey’s sister Joy and the assembled Pattison-clan
are here too, this being the first opportunity they have had to see Davey
perform in his home town since leading Gamma into the fray back in the
early 1980s.
The band
is lifted by the rapturous and genuine, heartfelt applause of the Glasgow
crowd. Pete, Glenn, Davey and Robin push on to deliver a performance of
breathtaking belief and passion. Wendy, Joy and the families can be justly
proud tonight.
So far,
seven shows in nine days. Tomorrow’s gig is in West Yorkshire, Sunday’s
in Norwich. It’s a relentless schedule, offering only the briefest of respite.
Yet these four musicians are in sizzling form, digging deep, keeping it
tight, and giving it their all, every night.
This is
Alan Howard for ‘Steve’s Place’ reporting from the Arches in the great
city of Glasgow. 16 May 2008.
Wow!
I have
to start this email with a WOW!
Some four
days after the gig I am still telling everyone I see about the fantastic
concert they missed over in Glasgow.
I flew
in to Glasgow international airport from Belfast George Best airport at
5.30PM and got a taxi to the hotel to meet up with Alan Howard who was
already checked in from earlier. The tickets say doors open at 7pm so after
just 1 pint Alan and I decide to take the short stroll to the Arches. Lovely
evening for a dander in Scotland's largest city. I had not got my tickets
through the post and had found out I had to pick them up from the box office
at the venue.
We were
directed round to the door and were surprised to see a queue formed outside.
Sound checks running late we were told.
Pete could
clearly be heard running through his sound check. Unmistakeable Thompson
thumping of the skins shaking the walls of this old underground venue.
It's gonna be loud I thought. GREAT!!
We were
entertained by a formidable banjo player busking outside the door and earning
the respect of all Trower fans waiting with patience. (That's how I want
to remember it anyway)
Once
inside it was clear the ambience was going to be just right. I needed another
pint, quick. Aynsley Lister played a great opening set and I would encourage
everyone to invest in his new album "Upside Down". Aynsley's music and
style complimented Robin perfectly. He reminded us he was a warm up act
and warm us up he did. The presence of Bass player Jo Nichols made
it all the easier to watch too.
