Absolutely F*********ing brilliant. The
Astoria was so packed I had to forsake all attempts to get my usual spot
at the front and ended up in a throng on the balcony.
It was an unusual treat to look out from
above and see the place just heaving in front of me. I was amazed that I
could still recognise people I knew at the front. Dave White was one
(some people spent less time in the pub than me!) The set seemed to go
down really well, it was the usual one but with the Love in Silence
section removed for the Circus and Blind Eye tracks with Ian Anderson. I
don't know how much of the crowd you can put down to Nazareth, (there's
a band that just seems to play their oldies) but this bodes really well
for the band.
I had two former workmates of mine come
along and thoroughly enjoy it so maybe it's really starting again now.
People were there from all over, Gunnar from Norway and Jyrki Usva from
Finland was there as well.
The sound seemed really good, as it should be when you're right by the
sound desk, though Mick had a couple of titchy technical probs with one
of his guitars. Pip Williams was at the sound desk and I spoke to him at
the aftershow party. He was talking about working on tidying up MIck's
guitar with a view to possible release. Saw the Sailing Sea of Light
video and I'm not overly wowed. I'm not sure how many of the non UK
people are familiar with Tommy Vance who does all the speaking. He's
been around doing hard rock radio shows and later on VH1 over here for
ages.
The filming keeps changing angle wildly
on him while he's speaking and also alternates between colour and
black/white and not always at a point you may expect it. Lots of good
stuff from the 87 Moscow tour, and they say we looked strange in the
70's! A lot of repeated interview stuff from the Legend Continues and
from the AD . I don't know whether this will arrive first or the AD
video, but it does give you a flavour for the AD which should be
brilliant. Oh Bob, you are present on the film for quite some time with
the cake at the AD. What was really good was to see the Come Away
Melinda video on a big screen. It really is almost tearjerking stuff the
way they've added in the bits with Bob's little girl. Missed the Roger
Dean, I didn't want to get depressed at the prices. The catalogue for it
was really good though. Roger had been at the screening as well. The
aftershow party was really cool. They had a Blondie tribute band on who
really went for it and in between sets a hard rock disco. I think it was
about 3:15 when I got back to the hotel. The band were there quite a
while this time, Bernie was one of the last to leave. No doubt Louis and
Dave will have even more tales to tell on their return. Your turn as
well now Mike.
Pete 'Partyed Out'
Wharton
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