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Brave dreams are kindled from ashes...... well ok in relation to this years UK tour that is stretching one of Terry's musical metaphors a little. But from the fan comments I have had and the evidence of my own eyes and ears, this years dates have seen a true return to form. Superlungs may never have actually left us but he does seem to have inhabitated his own legend a little more securely this time round.
From Sheffield to Brighton to Somerset to London to Scotland, up North down South we've seen a succession of satisfying gigs with some outstanding performances reaching over the shoulders of the merely excellent.
If the music wasn't enough there's been other thrills, spills, crime, sex, skateboarding and a whole haberdasher's worth of hats to spice up events.

The tour Kicked off in Sheffield scene of last years cancellation, with many faithful fans still clutching their year old tickets. This was one of the many non London concerts with Terry on guitar accompanied by Bruce Malament on keyboards.
Thanks to Gibson UK this tour was provided with a selection of beautiful shiny Gibsons and an Epiphone in addition to Terry's old friend the Martin. On stage tuning delays were notable by their abscence and the audience were able to stop holding their collective breath.
Terry's voice filled the aptly named Memorial Hall as tears filled the eyes of some of the older more emotional fans.


Next up the first of 2 'band ' gigs at Dingwalls a well established music venue at Camdem Locks, a small corner of North London that looks like a cross between Bladerunner, Mad Max and eternal Glastonbury ( go there on a Sunday you'll see what I mean). Arranged by promoter Stuart Lyon, who did the Ronnie Scotts gigs last year with Terry fronting the by now familiar band.

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Due to a wide variety of commitments the band hadn't really rehearsed since the gigs almost a year ago but once again proved why they are always in demand as individual players, following Terry as he rearranged the set list and led them a merry musical dance. Couldn't express a better opinion of the band than Terry fan Ian who declared that they "were tighter than a camels arse in a sand storm". Ian has plainly been to some exotic places.
Surprise audience member in the form of Frankie Miller was warmly greeted by Terry.

 

From London's urban take on Glastonbury Terry went on with Bruce to Frome, a small picturesque Somerset market town near to the real mcoy. They arrived in the limo to the delight of local kids playing on the adjacent skateboard park ( see gig photos).
This gave Terry a chance to demonstrate his complete lack of 'star'ego as he happily gave in to the kids demands and posed in front of the stretch.
Yes, they did all want a ride in the limo.
Curiously the soundman in this quiet little town was an ex-pat noo yorker which made Bruce feel at home as he compared his LA filtered NY accent to the soundmans Somerset version, slightly surreal but nice and just the kind of little extra fun that you get at Terry gigs.
Being near Glastonbury it was no surprise to have Michael Eavis drop by ( see gig photos) and watch Terry perform, a nice warm chat afterwards and a better than even chance that Terry will be on the festival bill next year.

Next stop, Komedia in Brighton, the pleasure and gay capital of southern England, I wonder if anything there sparked memories of the Cockettes ( see Terry Tales page) all those years ago in New York.
Whatever, the gig went well and I'm sure a Brighton audience would have appreciated the suits and hats.

On from Southern Babylon to the Robin 2 a well established rock venue in the West Midlands. With a continual gig list of rock rhythm and blues (check out their website for a history tour of blues rock figures old and new) the Robin is a serious music venue that couldn't fail to love Terry.
Another brief respite then a plane to Aberdeen and the Lemon Tree a popular Scottish arts and performance venue.


Back from Scotland and ready for the second Dingwalls gig on the 24th.
Unfortunately the day before the gig the limo was robbed, some cash, passports and Annette's video diary of the tour all went.
Could have been enough to put even the most seasoned performer of f their stride but in fact when Terry hit the stage on Sunday night he was primed to give what was probably the most exciting performace of the tour. It clearly brought a few of the older fans a little nearer to their long expected coronaries as Terry stormed through a varied set with the band, but hey what better way to go? THE VOICE was as good as he's ever been, eyes closed 69 , 73, 90, impossible to tell.
Nice to see lots of younger newer Terry fans mixed in with the familiar old lags.

After a few days rest Terry and Bruce finished off with a three night run at the Beinn Inn in Scotland, a magical small rock venue that Terry so enjoyed playing in last year. I'm not sure if it was the performance fee or the fabulous food that drew them back!

Afraid I don't have a comprehensive set of set lists but here are some of the songs played.
Rich Kid Blues , Terry vocal and Buce on keyboards as well as a full band version, both renditions brilliant.
Every Time We Say Goodbye absolute cool crooning magic.
Stuck In My Heart co - written with Frankie Miller who was at the first DingWalls gig when Terry sang it.
Mayfly ( personal favourite) performed twice.
A brilliant band version of Day In The Life.
Too Many People, Brave Awakening,San Juan Sunset, River (great version).
Don't Worry Baby as good as ever.
Without Expression of course.
By all means send me songs performed that I missed.

End result of the tour , many happy fans old and new + heaps of interested parties making contact and more dates for next year in the pipeline.

 
Regular readers will know about the band but please take a moment to click on their pics for up to date info on this band of magical musicians all of whom are involved in various interesting musical projects.


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Find out more about the gigs and follow the links below for some neat photos, copies of press articles and of course not forgetting the fan reviews and comments I've received.

Last but not least thanks to all the following who helped make the tour happen:
Chris ( I'm not his manager!) Johnson, Gerry Lyesight - PR, Mark Anstey, American Cars Southend and driver Jim, Paul Bennett and family for hospitality [see Penny Bennett's photo's in TR Forum, Sept. 22 'underacheiver photography'], Juliette Avery, Julian & Jeremy at Gibson Guitars, Stuart Lyon [ see www.holidaysingoa.net], Steve and Jane Mansbridge for west country hospitality and brownies, Simon Sessler, Russel Roberts, Katya & all at The Joint [ no not that one ]. Terry's cousin and her husband who travelled from Durham to spend their 20th anniversary at second Dingwalls show - 'Brave Awakening' was for them. Michael Eavis for turning out to the Frome show, also the Womad Team at the
same gig.
The promoters: Stuart Basford Greg Hemming Marina Kobler Mike Hamblett Andy Shearer.

And thanks to the support acts, Simon Kirke, Caroline 7 and the fabulous folk-rock ensemble Piefinger ( album available via Piefinger.co.uk )