Kingdom of Madness - Wolverhampton

Mo Birch

Great to be back at Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton again. We were previously here a few months ago for 'An Evening with Mark Stanway'.

A busy night traffic wise with it being the Friday before Christmas along with Wolves being at home to Liverpool. The Molineux Stadium is literally in the next street and the Billy Wright stand was clearly visible in the floodlights.

Chris Ousey

 Given the journey and getting parked up I was surprised to see only a few others already in the queue. Thankfully it was a dry evening and reasonably mild. Those already there had traveled from Bristol, Bognor Regis and Stoke for what would be only the second performance by Kingdom of Madness.

We were lucky to get right to the front , centre stage right in front of Mo Birch.

For those who don't know KOM is largely made up of musicians associated at some time with Magnum.
Mark Stanway (keyboards), Richard Bailey (keyboards,flute), Micky Barker (drums), Laurence Archer (guitar), Neil Murray (bass), Chris Ousey (vocals), Mo Birch (backing vocals/percussion).

Some have stated that KOM is a tribute' or 'covers' band.Which to my mind is disrespectful given the talent of the band. Five of the seven musicians have a strong legacy with Magnum. Mark himself was with the band for some thirty six years and nineteen albums ! Richard Bailey was there from 1978 and the very first Magnum album.

Laurence Archer

For me it is great news for Magnum fans that there is another avenue to enjoy the fantastic songs of Tony Clarkin. Talking of the songs, many haven't been heard live in years and deserve an airing. So in short, it is possible to like both bands, there is no competition . KOM are putting their own stamp on the songs that the fans have really been asking for a long time to hear.

The two band members without Magnum connections are Bassist Neil Murray who recorded 10 albums with Whitesnake between 1978- 1986. He has also played played with Black Sabbath , Gary Moore and MSG among many others and really is 'Rock royalty'. He is also in the band 'Snakecharmer' with vocalist 'Chris Ousey'. Chris began his career with Manchester based band 'Monroe', going on to form Heartland in 1990. He is very well regarded a s a singer and songwriter. What particularly impressed me was the way he interpreted the songs. We all know that 'Bob Catley' is without doubt a wonderful singer. It  would have been all to easy to adopt a few 'Bob' mannerisms but there was none of that. It wouldn't have worked and given further ammunition to the just a covers band' brigade.

Neil Murray

The set kicked off in fine style with 'Changes' from the second album released in 1979. Quickly followed by the song I voted for in a fans poll , never knowing that this moment would arrive. From the 'Chase the Dragon' album we had 'Back to Earth'.

Another personal favourite quickly followed. I remember all too well  buying the 12" version of 'Just like an Arrow' in John Lever records of Gold street Northampton. The record shop disappeared years ago , thankfully the song sounded as good as ever.

The underrated 'Rock Art' album was represented with 'Love's a Stranger ' and a song that Mark was particularly fond of 'The Tall Ships'. The 1994 album would be the cut off point from the huge back catalogue from which they would delve.

My wife was kept happy too as the band launched into Rockin' Chair. all the way up the M6 Mrs A kept saying 'I hope they do Rockin Chair' ! She certainly wasn't disappointed.

Mickey Barker

All the band seemed to be having a great time on stage. The pure enthusiasm seemed to be bouncing back and forth between the band and the crowd. No-one was having more fun than drummer 'Mickey Barker' who many regard as the best drummer Magnum ever had. Mickey was with the band for ten years, their heydays between 1985- 1995.

From our position on the front barrier it was difficult to see what was going on behind. But I got the feeling that all was well and everyone was having a cracking time.

Magnum's most successful album 'Wings of Heaven' (7th studio album) was well represented with 'Start Talking Love', 'Wild Swan' and 'Days of no Trust'.
The album charted 5 in the United Kingdom. A heady time indeed playing the NEC Birmingham as well as three nights at the then 'Hammersmith Odeon' just before Christmas 1988.Very happy memories indeed for me!

A triumphant Richard Bailey

Lovely to see Richard Bailey in the band . He was there back in the very early days of Magnum. He actually played the original flute intro to 'Kingdom of Madness'. Which is exactly  what we had as the band brought the set to a close with this awesome song.

I love the original and I loved the KOM version . Guitarist Laurence Archer is very different to 'Clarkin'  but does the song proud in his own way.

The band leave the stage to rapturous applause and appreciation.

For the encore we are treated to 'The Last Dance'  from 'On a Storytellers Night' . Chris and Mo duet perfectly and she adds so much to the sound. In short she is much more than a backing singer giving great contrast to the vocals.

Chris with Mark and Laurence in background

The last song of the night is really the one that most of us have all been waiting for.
The haunting keyboard intro from Mark can mean only one thing' Sacred Hour'.

Thankfully we have plenty more gigs to look forward to in 2019 from KOM. Next  stop for me will be The Stables at Wavendon near Milton Keynes.

Thanks to Nikki Ann Thompson for kindly letting me use her photo of Laurence.

Walking the Ridgeway - Lewknor to Watlington

Christmas Common , very appropriate

Today's route

We knew before the start that the weather forecast today was at best 'grim'. . High winds , rain , snow and sleet were all in the mixture. Taking onboard the old Billy Connolly saying of 'No such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' we set off in dry conditions . As always a circular starting very close to the small , picturesque village of Lewknor.  From our starting point you can hear the M40 long before you get to see it. The very last part of the walk would take us under the elevated part of the motorway. So about 10 miles or so of the Chiltern Hills to conquer.

Three dogs in tow

Typical Ridgeway path

It would be reasonable to say , and I probably have said it before that walking the Ridgeway in a straight line can be a touch bland. Turning it into a circular walk certainly adds interest and some trepidation when you basically get lost !
We came off the Ridgeway at the turn for 'Christmas Common' .Replacing the flat with the steep climbs of Watlington Hill, Pyrton Hill and Shirburn Hill.

Shirburn Hill

Pyrton Hill

By now the wind had got up and the rain  was steady
and it was hard going on the knees.There was the odd
fleeting glimpse of a Roe Deer to keep us on our toes.
At times we were totally exposed to the elements only
occasionally finding shelter out of the wind in the woods.
At one stage we did find ourselves in the wrong valley. Remedying  the problem either involved crawling under barbed wire or going over the top. I opted for the latter with the aid of a tree and overhanging branches. It turned out that we had inadvertently ended up in a Deer Farm...

Wormsley Estate

An unfortunate Pheasant

 Our walk then took us into the Wormsley Estate, some 2500 acres and an 18th century country house. Lying somewhere between Stokenchurch and Watlington it is the former home of the Philanthropist John Paul Getty.
There was quite a number of guns taking part in a pheasant shoot that we got very close to. A number of 'picker uppers' were stationed in nearby woods with their trusty Retriever dogs to round up the wounder or had flown in on the wing. On poor soul was stuttering around very close to us so my companion put it out of his misery . Not one to miss an opportunity he slipped it inside his pocket to take home for the pot .

Under the M40

Drenched through

By now everything was just about soaked through. Even my boots had given up the ghost and were squelching with standing water. Undeterred we carried on with a stiff upper lip going under the M40 as we finished back on the Ridgeway. Have to say it is quite an anti-climax , I at least expected a few murals or words of encouragement , but nothing . After weather like today it was just good to get back to the car and get and get the wet gear off. Taking some dry clothes to change into wwould have been an even better idea though !

Lydney and Symonds Yat

Parkend Station

After a very large and tasty breakfast we set off for Lydney Docks. It had seemed like a good idea as we enjoyed a full English to have a waterside walk along the canal and harbour. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas as the wind brought in driving rain and low visibility.

 
Undaunted we set off on the short journey stopping only briefly at the Dean Forest Railway Parkend Station.
There is an 8.5 mile track running through the medieval forest where you can enjoy the delights of steam travel. Unfortunately it was out of season so the trains were not operational.






It was a pretty grim scene arriving at the docks I have to say.

It reminded me of the old 'Hancock' sketch when he went on holiday to Brighton in December.
His companion asks' Wheres the sea' ? Hancock replies 'it's out there somewhere , you'll see it once this fog lifts'.

Severn estuary

Apparently there's nice views over the River Severn towards Sharpness on the opposite side and the two Severn Bridges further down. Have to take their word for that today. Lydney Docks has a long and chequered history. The canal was opened in 1813 to ship iron and coal from the Forest of Dean in its mighty heyday. In the 1960’s timber was continually brought in from Avonmouth docks and it continued in regular commercial use until the 1980’s.

Brightening Skies ?

 We did our best given the conditions taking a short circular walk around the harbour. Ironically as we got back to the car the rain eased off and the skies started to lighten.

We made our way over to Symonds Yat , a place that is rapidly becoming a favourite place of ours. It might have something to do with the excellent Wye Valley Ale on offer at the Saracens Head ?

We parked down at River Wye level and strolled alongside the fast flowing water.

Boats moored at Lydney

River Wye

The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 215 kilometres from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary.

For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales.

As we went further along the trail a rope bridge spans the river , it is know as 'Biblins'. This suspension footbridge will take you from England (north) to Wales (south). Once crossed it is a flat four mile walk to Monmouth. I think that this will be our next mission when we come back.

'Biblins' Bridge'

There is a steep half mile footpath back at our starting point that takes you up to the high peak of Symonds Yat. I couldn't resist running up to the top , if nothing else to work up a thirst. The real reason is that the views are just so spectacular . I would visit every day if were possible.

What a view

 I came back down the path twice as quick as I went up I can tell you. The thought of The Wye Valley IPAin front of a roaring log fire was a great incentive !

Driving back it finally happened ! I spotted a majestic Wild Boar by the roadside . A fleeting view unfortunately, but one that will live long in the memory.

Forest of Dean - Speech House revisit

Lovely to be back in the Forest of Dean again , this time for Marinas Birthday. We even managed to get a room upgrade from an outside Courtyard to the luxury 4 Poster Suite. The room afforded great views over the Forest and it was clear to see that the Boars had been busy again.

The last visit in April had been elusive of seeing any Boars despite our best efforts. Hopefully this time our luck might be a little better?

We quickly got changed into our walking gear, eager to make use of the daylight hours to get into the Forest before it got too dark.

There had been some rain but  had cleared and given way to some sunshine and blue skies. The light was beautiful and I hoped to get some half decent photographs.

Speech House Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We hadn't been walking for very long when Marina motioned me to be quiet. She had spotted three Fallow Deer at very close quarters , and managed the following photos.

Fallow Deer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No sign of the Boars once again but it didn't matter . The Forest seemed alive as a Muntjac Deer  wandered casually in front of us.

Marina gazes longingly

Big Country - Roadmender Northampton

 Back at the Roadmender Northampton again for a much anticipated gig indeed. Formed in Dunfermline Scotland in 1981 by founder members Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson. Another of those bands that I’ve just never got around to seeing .
Already a couple of chaps in the queue as we arrived an hour before doors. One in particular had come down from Nottingham and had seen the band some 241 times previously! We took our usual position on the barriers stage right and readied ourselves for the support band ‘Suburban Symphony’ from Skipton North Yorks.

Suburban Symphony

All is ready

They did a quick half hour set playing catch songs which I suppose you would call ‘Indie rock’. They went down well with the audience who had got in early.

 The Lead Vocalist was a bit of a Liam Gallagher lookalike especially with his parker zipped up to the neck .A good young band and definitely worth keeping an eye out for in the future.

The Big Country I grew up with in the early 80's featured the late great Stuart Adamson who we sadly lost in 2001. Drummer Mark Brzezicki is virtually an ever present though alongside Watson.
We also have a Watson junior in the shape of his son ‘Jamie’. A member of the band since 2010. Or rather tonight we didn’t .. Bruce read out a ‘mock sick note’ supposedly signed by his mother . The poor wee lad was suffering from a virus and therefore unable to join the band tonight.

Random Canadian

 The Big Country set had got of to one of the most bizarre of starts I've probably ever seen? A random chap armed with a carrier bag, wearing baseball cap on backwards and a strange shirt with England on it took to the stage. He claimed to have just arrived from Canada (without any trace of a Canadian accent) to see the band. Upon meeting his heroes they had suggested that he might like to go out and introduce them.

They hadn't perhaps expected him to deliver an 'Oscar like acceptance speech'  about his journey from Canada and the history of the band. Thankfully the band decided to cut him short and usher him to the side of the stage. It was like something from an Ali G episode and hilarious. He never stopped waving and playing his 'air guitar' all night. He certainly knew how to enjoy himself ! 

Simon Hough

Band in fully cry

But the sound… it’s all still there. That Celtic rock that could once fill arenas and I grew up listening too is still there unchanged. Watson fusing his guitar with the sounds and spirit of Scottish folk music, somehow obtaining the sound of traditional bagpipes and fiddles.

Simon Hough

By the time we get to the third song of the night 'Look Away'  the audience have got into full swing . Many are probably like me 50 somethings re-living their 80's heydays. Guitarist Bruce Watson is the voice of the band between songs. 'Anyone in from Scotland ?' he asks . Corby comes the reply. 'Well serves you 'f''ing right then comes his reply!

Filling the shoes of Adamson was always going to be a tough job, but Hough who has only been with the band since 2013 is doing a fantastic job since taking over from Mike Peters.

The Crossing Album

Bruce and Simon

Tonight is a celebration since releasing  'The Crossing' album in 1983. I still have the original vinyl some 35 years later safe and sound in my collection. The album is  covered in one way or the other given the limitations that have been thrown up by the illness that has struck today.

It's no arena tonight but the same intensity and passion is still burning. It's a great night an the Roadmender is rocking. Sadly the night ends to soon as is often the case and we have the encore fittingly enough of 'Big Country'.  Drummer Mark Brzezicki then delivers a very touching memorial to Stuart Adamson saying that he will be looking down on them tonight.

Bassist Scott Whitley

Full Set List

Genesis Connected - Kettering Lighthouse

I'm not usually a massive fan of the tribute band scene. I can only recall seeing 'Livewire' (AC/DC) and The Smyths (The Smiths) who were both excellent.  Realistically it's the only way you are going to hear the music of some of the giants of the Rock world such as Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin and Genesis.

I like Genesis , thats a good start ! But I do struggle with a lot of the Phil Collins solo stuff , which I found very commercial at times. For me the golden era was with Peter Gabriel although the first two albums I grew up with,  'Nursery Cryme' ' 'and 'Foxtrot' did take a bit of getting into. That said I loved the self titled 'Genesis' album (1983) and 'Invisible Touch (1986).  Tonight in the 560 seater  Lighthouse Theatre we are promised not only the music of Genesis and Phil Collins, but also Peter Gabriel and Mike & The Mechanics.

 We start off with 'Abacab' from the album of the same name (1981). Singer 'Pete Bultitude' carries the singing duties very well indeed. Close your eyes and it could be Phil Collins , a cliche i'm sure but true nevertheless. He delights in telling the crowd how he got to the final of 'Stars in their Eyes' in 1999. Only to be beaten by the Chris de Burgh entry. But he isn't bitter he tells the audience. 34,000 hits on youtube as well , 'Thanks mum' he quips. I think there are sure tp be a few more looking him up after tonight.

It isn't long before we are treated with his pièce de résistance from that 'Stars in their Eyes' performance ' Against All Odds' . All I can think is that the 'Chris de Burgh' entrant must have been hell of a singer .  

Probably should say at this point that It wasn't the sort of venue for photography. I did try but the efforts were poor and I got a few looks if you see what I mean. So any photos on here are 'borrowed' from the https://genesisconnected.com/  or the Genesis Connected Facebook page. 

Fantastic to hear the awesome and haunting  'Games Without Frontiers' (1979) Gabriel's first UK solo top 10. Equally good was the full version of 'Home by the Sea' which I think is a great song. Those two would be my highlights from the first half for sure.  

In fine Genesis tradition we are treated to two drum sets and who doesn't love a bit of 'double drumming' . 'Mr Bultitude' is no mean drummer either, playing to a very high standard on several songs. He also plays guitar and bangs a pretty mean tambourine too. I suspect the keyboard player is privately starting to feel a little worried too....
We adjourn for a 20 minute interlude for tea and biscuits . Unfortunately i'm on the old antibiotics (again) a chest infection actually so don't go jumping to any conclusions. So alcohol is off limits for tonight at least.

There are people out of their seats dancing in the aisles ! This is Kettering, it's a Sunday night for heavens sake. More early Gabriel needed , that'll sort em out . But no we have ''You Can't  Hurry Love'/'Two Hearts' and more Collins solo stuff . This is only encouraging them ! But seriously it was all good fun and the band , all local boys looked as though they were having a great time too. 

Second half highlights for me were the ever awesome 'Land of Confusion' and 'Invisible Touch'


 You really can't fault the performance tonight although I did query 'Sussudio' as the first encore track . I think Mr Bultitude was quite receptive to my suggestion of dropping it for 'Mama' or 'Jesus he Knows me' when I collared him afterwards. But they are never going to please everyone and I don't think anyone would have gone away disappointed tonight. I understand they do change the set around quite regularly .

To sum up it was great night of nostalgia and the closest you will get to hearing Genesis and the music of those most closely connected. The band seem to be pretty much on tour in the UK all year round. I look forward to catching them back at the Lighthouse again next October 2019.  

 Genesis Connected are :

• Pete Bultitude - Vocals / Drums 
• Chris Woods - Keyboards/ Vocals
• Lee Spence - Guitar
•  Lou Short - Bass
• Marty Wild - Drums

Full Set List