Gallery - Slideshow And Review
Ivory Blacks, Glasgow, Scotland - 10th November 2005
Gig Review - Reviewer Unknown
This was the first opportunity to see A FEW GOOD MEN play in Glasgow since their debut at the closing ceremony of The Special Olympics at Glasgow Green at the beginning of July. With over 60,000 hits to the website www.afewgoodmen.info, the pre-show buzz was absolutely electric! Who would be on stage, which songs would they perform? People had travelled from Ireland, France, Holland, Denmark and the U.S to be part of it. So who was on stage then? Okay, the band were - Bass : Derek Forbes. Vocals : Ian Donaldson. Guitar : Bruce Watson. Keyboards : Mick Macneil. Jane Button : Backing Vocals. Steve Harris, guitarist from Gary Numan's band and Archive, along with Smiley, drummer with Robbie Williams. Unfortunately Jim Prime from Deacon Blue wasn't able to make it this time.
The roar from the crowd was almost as loud as the sound from the PA as the band slammed into their opener 'Waterfront', with Derek's unmistakable bass sound leading the assault. Then it was into 'Real Gone Kid', this was dedicated to Jim. Next up, was an unusual choice for some, 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World', and what a version it was! The reason for it being in the set - Roland and Curt from Tears For Fears sampled Derek's bass from 'Waterfront' and used it on ther original recording. Steve Harris played an amazing solo at the end of the song. Very Pink Floyd. 'Someone, Somewhere In Summertime' followed, one of the highlights from New Gold Dream, the Simple Minds album from 1982. It shone again tonight.
Bruce led the way for the first Big Country song of the evening - a tremendous version of 'Chance'. The crowd got in on the act with a chant of '2,3,4' before 'Oh, Lord...' in the chorus. Big smiles all round. Stuart would have been proud. 'Duel' by propaganda was next. Derek joined Propaganda along with Brian McGee, the original Simple Minds drummer, after he parted company with The Minds. Ian swapped the mike for a tambourine. Jane performed the song on her own and was excellent. The word is, their will be more solo's from Jane in future shows. Smiley also handed over the sticks to Malky Button, Jane's husband, who played faultless drums on this one. Anyone who saw AFGM at Glasgow Green will recognise Malky from there. Mel Gaynor was originally scheduled to play this gig, but unfortunately, he found himself grounded in Germany. His flight was delayed due to the bombings in London the day before.
Early Simple Minds fans in the audience must have thought Christmas had come early when they heard the opening to 'Love Song'. Like a slice of dark disco, it sounded every bit as strange as it did when first played at Maestroes - the legendary club next to the Glasgow School Of Art. The club has changed its name and decor a few times since then but the memories still remain. The band showed its delicate side next with a truly touching rendition of 'Dream To Sleep', the only H O song included in the set. It was a bit surreal watching grown men in the audience sing along without a hint of self conciousness as Ian crooned for all he was worth. Just goes to show it wasn't only 'big sisters' that bought it when it came out. Deke McGee, guest sax player, came on to play the solo. Cool as...
'Dignity', the Deacon Blue anthem, raised the temperature after 'Dream To Sleep'. Another crowd pleaser. Hopefully, Jim Prime will guest the band again sometime soon.
A FEW GOOD MEN don't lack variety, with their combined back catalogue, how could they? Mick strapped on an accordian and the haunting refrain of 'Belfast Child' hushed the audience to complete silence. The band came in one by one after that to perform their own arrangement of a peice of music, although adapted by the Simple Minds, the origins of which, stretch back to a time before any of them were born. Before the last note had died away, the band launched into 'In A Big Country'. Fists punched air, feet pounded the floor, and everyone in the audience sang the words like their lives depended on it. This was Smiley's first gig with AFGM and he was absolutely loving it. Then it got even better as Carrie Macneil, Mick's neice, appeared on stage during the song, playing the pipes.....amazing!
The band left the stage to Carrie to finish the set on her own. But it wasn't over yet. The crowd wanted more and the band wanted to play more!
From the first Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey of 'Don't You Forget About Me' to the final La-La-La-La-La it was party time. A full-on 'Fields Of Fire' was the final song of the night. The crowd didn't know it but this was the first time Bruce had performed the song with a band since Stuart sadly left us four years ago.
If you weren't there - you missed something special. And if you were there you'll know that it doesn't get much better than this.
