I just went to the Bristol gig (sorry to the other person who said
beforehand they were going - I couldn't reply to arrange anything). It
was totally amazing. I'm the one who asked, a while back, if they'd
played Dinosaur Act on this tour, because it's one of my favourites, and
probably my #1 to play really loud, so I was dying to hear it live, but
they don't play it that often. For reasons beyond my own comprehension,
I shouted out "Over The Ocean!" when they were taking requests for the
encore, but thankfully there were enough "Dinosaur!"s to drown me out,
and they did indeed play it.
The guitars in Canada (and also The Lamb and a couple of the other
darker ones - they really went crazy with Little Argument and John
Prine) were spectacular, and the La La La Song sing-along was great. For
reference for anyone who was there - when Alan asked if anyone actually
sung and a few of us put our hands up, I was the one he said "Really?"
to. I tried to say "Yeah, but I was thrown by the high bits you added
near the end," but found I couldn't speak, so just nodded. The high bits
they added near the end were wonderful, I hope a version with those gets
released some day.
The other great thing was Alan's standing back and shouting stuff to do
the extra vocals in Point Of Disgust and John Prine. His 'Sha la la la's
in John were all cracked and desperate by the end of the song, it was
amazing.
And, of course, Lordy was mind-blowing.
I envy the setlist with Starfire as the first song of the encore, though
- I don't know Shame very well (the first song of the encore in Bristol)
and Starfire is another of my all-time favourites.
Oh, one more thing - that DJ guy. Me and my friend got there late and
thought he might be the support act. The first song I heard him play had
sounds of the sea and stuff and sounded a lot like a song I heard on
John Peel once by someone who goes by the band name of Ojn.
Tom Francis
tomfrancis@dsl.pipex.com
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