Manfred Mann's Earthband - On The Road November 2002
Saturday 23 November, Festhalle, Herxheim
Posted by Karin and Thomas Hi,
We started our journey in the Saturday morning in the hope to see another good gig and to have a good time there. And we got - a perfect
weekend and one of the best concerts we ever saw! The Festhalle in Herxheim is a nice, new hall for around 1000 people, and as I was told they
sold already 900 tickets in the weeks before. So at the end the hall was completely filled, the audience stood very close and also at the galleries at
the first floor there were lots of people. The whole event was well organized - many thanks to the guys of the Verein Interkunst e.V. for their great job there and for the nice welcome we got there!
The supporting band, Devin Dawn, played a good gig of rock music - they have a number-three-position in the charts of SWR 3 in the moment and
seemed to be wellknown in that area. Especially with their last songs they had warmed up the audience very well. Whilst Thomas decided to stay
in the further back at the merchandise-stand (the air was there much better than infront of the stage, and you could see the stage also from the
further back well), I tried to get closer to the stage in the break after the support band and got a place in the fourth row. And waiting together there
with all the other people I could already feel that exitement in the audience - many of them saw not their first gig of MMEB and they expected a lot.
Then, at 9.45 p.m., the Earth Band started, but they started in a way that already in Shelter the mood infront of the stage was cooking and the band got their first applause for the solos already there! What a gig!
We had been very curious how Geoff Dunn would be on his drums. Now we know - he is absolutely great. The whole band played such a fresh
and fast gig, I asked myself sometimes there if this was the same band like we saw in the summer! The Earth Band is always good but yesterday
they had been outstanding. And if I have written sometime my very first gig some years ago went over me like a thunderstorm, then let me tell you -
yesterday we had a hurricane there on stage! It would not be fair to say the guitar or the keyboards were the best, the whole band was in top
form, all five musicians played to us the best gig of all we had seen this year. Hey, english fans, you can really look forward to the gigs of the next week!
Here is the setlist of Herxheim - they surprised us with some changings in the row of the songs: Intro -Shelter-Martha-Carol-Dancing-Angels-Father-Redemption-Davy-Demolition Man-She was-Blinded, and as the encore Mighty.
Martha got an amazing keyboard solo, great, and I was excited by the guitar solos in Carol and Father. Again done in a completely new version,
and listening to these parts we knew what we had missed during the last months! Very interesting to see how Manfred as well as Mick were
working together with Geoff in their solos, it seemed to be a perfect unit, the drums were going to be harder and faster when the solo went into
the highlight and all together they reached a new level then. So we got a wonderful, strong and powerful duett in Father, also the best we had
heard this year. I could mention every song, you could feel the power of the music, Noel showed us again what is possible with a voice on stage,
the sound was very good, the lightshow, too, and the audience - oh yes, they enjoyed the evening, just as well as we did! We had a choir in that
hall, absolutely fantastic, and all hands were up in the air and everybody moved and danced anyway there. And the band played such a fast gig
that the set was 10 mins shorter than usual, although they played all the usual songs in full lenght! :-)
We wish all the visitors of the Engand gigs next week just a gig like we had yesterday, just the same hurricane on stage. We both are now looking
forward to our next gigs in December, in the hope the band will go on in that way! And we want to say thank you to the band and the crew for this wonderful weekend we got from you all. Best wishes
still waiting for some words about the gig in Paderborn! (Come on, let us know - how was the gig there for you?). In the meantime here are some impressions from Herxheim on Saturday.
K & T
Wednesday 27 November, The Stables Milton Keynes
Posted by Graeme (No not the East Sussex One)
Just back from an excellent gig in Milton Keynes - getting a bit late so just a few words. Weird to sit down again after so many years of standing
up - easier on the back but a bit of a numb bum. Not too much of an atmosphere - due to sitting down. New drummer seems OK if a little loud at
times. Usual set list. Highlights - Father, Doo Wah Diddy (don't get too excited - just 3 seconds of this by Manfred I think to appease the people that
expected Paul Jones and Co!), Martha and a brilliant She Was (without the mouthpiece). Ian was outstanding as usual during this number. Good to
see our friends Reinhard and Erika, Wil, Andy, John , Nigel, Terry, a new friend Ben from Holland and of course Barry Winton. Looking forward to the next 3 gigs and a well earned rest at work next week. Bye for now and good night.
Graeme
The Stables 27/11/02
Posted by Jay i have been to venues all over the world but unfortunately the last time i saw manfred was 1970 ??randwick racecourse sydney australia chapter
three but taking into account the era and the distance in time the year may be incorrect. i would like to say that sitting with my wife in the front row
in the intimate atmosphere of the stables and witnessing the most memorable performance of any group of musicians i have ever seen and heard. i
would hope that the size of the venue didn't detract from the bands enjoyment and i can only hope that they perform there again.i will take all my friends and they will be amazed and thrilled by the talent of every member of the band
Re: the stables 27/11/02 Posted by Kingsley Elliff - In Reply to: the stables posted by jay
:The stables is a great venue, shame you can't usually stand up although at the end for some gigs we have managed it. The good things about the
stables are, A you can see the band really close up B You can take your drink in with you C They serve Newcastle Brown D Parking is magic.
Anyway enough about the stables MM were awesome, i last saw them at the marquee in the early seventess and they still are great . Brilliant guitar and organ solid rhythym section can't wait till they are back in the UK.
Thursday 28 November, The Robin Hood 1 Dudley
Posted by Michael Whitemann
What sort of a fool goes to an Earth Band gig without a pen? I felt a right prat asking Manfred for his autograph and then realising I didn't have a
pen for him to use. The band were absolutley great. I had a really eventful journey there involving a rather nasty accident (not my fault at all
though, a van went into the back of me at a set of lights) and getting hugely lost in Dudley, so the gig really cheered me up. I was really pleased to
hear Castles. I was actually not so keen on Dancing in the Dark but maybe that's just unfamiliarity. I'll see how I feel about it tomorrow in Guildford. I
managed to get hold of a set list as well after the gig so my collection is still complete.
I think Geoff Dunn is really good. He is a lot more flamboyant than John Trotter, although not as solid rhythmically. He is infinitely better than Richard Marcangelo, and I never heard Pete May.
The highlight for me was the guitar/keyboard thing in the middle of Father of Day. That was just great. The solo in Davy's was really cooking too. Anyway, that's all for now. Time for bed. Looking forward to Chiddingfold tomorrow. TTFN
Mike
Re: The Robin Hood
Posted by Gary Butler - In Reply to: The Robin Hood posted by Michael Whitemann Having not listened to any Earthband material since the early 80s I went to the Robin last night not sure what to expect.
The night was totally unforgettable. It was a fantastic experience which has reawakened my interest in the Earthband. Mick Rogers guitar playing
was the best I have ever heard and seen at a live gig - he is awesome. How anyone can play a guitar that well is beyond a mere mortal like
myself. The whole experience made me realise that I must get out and go to more gigs. I can't wait to see them again. A very big thanks to the band (you were truly inspirational) and thanks to everyone there for such a great atmosphere.
Cheers
GB
Friday 29 November, Chiddingfold Blues Club, Chiddingfold
Posted by Martin V
We've just arrived back from Chiddingfold. A great night out. Another great concert. The place was packed and appreciative. It was the ususal set
with all the songs sounding fresh. Once again (following on from an earlier message) Manfred added a bit of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" to the start of
"Mighty Quinn". We were impressed with Geoff Dunn on the drums and the whole sound was very tight. Our first chance to see the band in 2 years and we loved it ... Time for bed! Re: Chiddingfold Concert
Posted by Debbie - In Reply to: Chiddingfold Concert posted by MartinV I was going to put in a long message saying how good the night had been. However youve all beaten me too it. Was anybody else hot in there ?.
All added to a great atmosphere I suppose. The whole band were in teriffic form and played a long set. Many of the songs had been changed
around from recent live recordings such as Mann Alive. That version of Blinded by the Light was the best I've heard. Very well done to everyone in MMEB. Brilliant. Re: Chiddingfold Concert
Posted by Paul Morgan - In Reply to: Chiddingfold Concert posted by Steve C Steve, we were obviously standing next to you unless there were several drunk beard monsters! Band were brilliant despite the acoustics in the
hall. maybe it was that that made the background hubhub noticeable in the quite bits. With the familiar setlist I was a bit concerned that gig might be just a repeat of the last 2 times I saw them at The Brook. How wrong can you be.
So much variation and improvisation. Mick and Manfred were on top form and seemed to be enjoying themselves so much. Some great Manfred
solos throughout and a great jazz piano solo at the end. Dancin/Rising Sun was a great new addition. Typical of so many Earthband songs that
start as one thing, seamlessly become another song, go off into great instrumentals and return. 30 years since I first saw them and last night, certainly the final encore, was one of the best. Paul Chiddingfold
Posted by Sherry and Jim We had a wicked night and came from far! It was fantastic to see muscians perform so brilliantly live! Eat your hearts out 'fame academy' and the
like! Mick Rogers is the best guitarist I have seen. The atmostphere was friendly and enthusiastic, especially liked Father of Day - FANTASTIC! Now to bed
s & j
Saturday 30 November, The Brook, Southampton
Posted by Graeme Yates As ever the Brook is a terrific venue. The band were in solid form, but there was not that extra 2% that made Chiddingfold even better (there
seemed almost to be a party atmosphere at Chiddingfold, and I have to say I didn't notice the background chat or bearded blokes on heat!) . No Do Wah Diddy intro on Quinn or She Was, but I can live with that. Father was terrific.
Re Mick's CD, I believe there was some sort of misunderstanding re supplies of the CD being sent over in time for the gigs. Look out for a new acoustic CD by Noel in the new year (at cover work stage at the moment). Great to see everyone.
Question: Why are EB fans such a nice bunch?
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
