An Acoustic Test

Speaking to Nigel recently about the possibility of occasional acoustic gigs inspired me to rehearse a song I used to do in the 70's - Woodstock.  The Mathews Southern Comfort version.  A video test was the next thought - I'll risk allowing comments!

The Searchers at the Apex

We booked to see The Searchers several weeks ago and suddenly it was upon us.  Jacqui and Sue from next door accompanied me to the Zen Noodle bar for a pre-gig meal.  We enjoyed that so much we were a bit tight on time getting to the Apex.  It was sold out and we just managed to settle in our seats as the opening sequence commenced.   The band took to the stage amid much lighting and fog and opened up with "Sweets for My Sweet".   The band had a good balance underpinned by a powerful drum performance from John ? a relative newby to the band.  I suspect he may have modernised some of the drum rhythms and tempos were on the fast side - but very effective at driving the show along.  Lead guitarist,  John McNally (one of the originals),  was playing a Rickenbacker 660 12 string through a Fender twin and got a truly great sound using a degree of echo and chorus -  making it a little reminiscent of my own on-stage sound!  Frank Allen toting a Rickenbacker bass was set to a much bassier sound than most Ricky bass players would go for and fitted in the mix perfectly;.  Spencer (ex First Class) on Fender Strat through Fender Twin completed the line up.  In my opinion the vocals of the band weren't quite right to start but with a few songs passing they gradually gelled better.  The PA was a bit lacking in top end which didn't help the vocals,   but I'll give them full marks for an appropriate level of sound at this relatively small venue.  The act was wonderfully well rehearsed with Frank Allen leading as MC and John McNally chipping in with remarks like "he's up there" meaning the artiste being discussed had passed away - wonderfully effective banter that set the audience well at ease.  They played a lot of Searchers hits and other originals, even including a few B sides and more recent numbers. The basic band sound was subtly augmented by strings on the ballads.  I couldn't work out how -  were they were playing to a click track or was Spencer was generating them as Midi notes from his guitar chords? However it was done is was effective and not overdone!   A surprising highlight was Spencer's rendition of Roy Orbison's (he's up there) "Running Scared" - a fantastic vocal performance that rightly secured the biggest round of applause of the night.  The band originated in Liverpool and had many a tale to tell and it was thoroughly appropriate that they signed off with Spencer doing another great vocal on "You'll Never Walk Alone".  The encore was a brief medley of the hits with sing-a-long sections for the audience.  Overall a very professional show from musicians who are getting on a bit aimed perfectly at an audience who are also getting on a bit.  A great night chaps - well done!