Charlie’s [Father] Thoughts
As Moya introduced her final song and said this was the last night of the tour (not joining Rod in the second leg of the tour in September then) I was hit by an increased sense of expectation about the forthcoming entertainment. This was my 95th Rod Stewart / Faces gig and still very little else in life comes anywhere near producing that sense of anticipation and excitement which I was experiencing. There were still a few empty seats around us in Block A as the countdown began which surprised me and suggested there had been people who perhaps could not attend the re-arranged date and had not been successful in selling them.
We started with This Old Heart of Mine (and still not totally sure this works as an opening crowd pleaser but anyway). The band was all in position and there was this slight delay before the Rodmeister appeared to an almighty cheer resplendent in black and white. He always looks slightly shorter to me than you think he is (when he first appears) but somehow grows in height once he starts singing and moving the microphone around in that inimitable way.
You Wear it Well followed soon after and at this point he thanked us for our patience with the re-arranged date and in effect apologised for having to cancel the original gig owing to illness. To make up for it he said, there would be a few surprises as he wanted to make this a special night. He would be playing for 2 hours. Wow – that sounded good. I have heard him talk of special nights before and to be honest they have not always been any different from the standard Rod gig so I did not take this comment too seriously. How wrong was I! This truly was a special night and anyone else that was there will verify that.
For one, he seemed in a remarkably good mood; he laughed and joked and was constantly smiling both to the band and to the crowd. He seemed genuinely moved by our signing and the fact that we were prepared to pay such prices for the tickets. He thanked us for our support and the fact that Time had gone back to Number 2.
The songs kept coming largely in the order of the early part of the tour. Was it me but they seemed to be played with greater conviction and passion than that 02 gig I attended early last month. Any fears that the Dortmund shenanigans would affect the atmosphere were very quickly put aside. He moved around the stage constantly, he danced and defied his 68 years. Indeed, he referred to the Imagine documentary and commented on the poor lighting which made him look 68. The costume changes happened at the allotted times and one of them is during an extended version of Forever Young which was delivered with real commitment and soul. The extended drum section involving the entire band is powerful. Dave Palmer was told by Rod to come and take a bow at the front of the stage at the song’s conclusion. He looked almost surprised to be invited but grabbed the opportunity with relish.
I was so pleased to hear She Makes Me Happy rather than Finest Woman (and it was delivered without the need for lyrics on paper) and it is a much more touching tribute to Penny. Rod was particularly energetic during the rendition and really enjoyed performing it. I love J’Anna’s contributions to this song and what came across was how important her contribution is to the set overall. Her playing is faultless and adds so much to key songs. She always looks as if she is enjoying herself so much.
It was a bonus to hear Ruby, his daughter, sing a number and she is a competent singer with a stage presence who managed to interact more with the backing singers as the song progressed. The bonus tracks consisted of Young Turks, Handbags and Gladrags and I’d Rather Go Blind. I have been desperate to hear Handbags again and for me this was worth the admission in itself. It was so enthusiastically received and always touches the heart. As for I’d Rather Go Blind – I have to admit for a second or two I thought he was launching into Angel and then it dawned on me what was being played. Different guitar sound from the last time I heard it with Woody but great version and so unexpected.
The set reverted to its inevitable climax. Reason to Believe is always welcome and the atmosphere was now electric. ‘That’s why we love you Rod’ shouted someone in my left eardrum. Gerrard is right the verse referring to the big bosomed lady in You’re in My Heart has been left out deliberately on a regular basis on this tour – not sure why. He did complete two hours; his vocals sounded really strong this evening. Twickenham is often mentioned on here as having been special in recent years. Well, so was this gig.
The inclusion of I Was Only Joking in September would be welcome Rod if you are now thinking of raiding past albums.
Stephanie’s [Daughter] Thoughts
This was my first ever gig and I have to admit to only being familiar with Maggie May; Handbags and Gladrags; Da Ya Think I’m Sexy and You’re in My Heart. I vaguely know Baby Jane. Did that matter? Not a bit. I was bowled over by the atmosphere. I wanted a football and touched one before this pesky woman being clutched it to her chest. I was amazed at how active Rod was for his age. This is not a man who remains stationary for long. He talks to the audience and jokes with them and this helps to create the emotional bond which clearly has existed for many years. He seemed genuinely grateful that people had paid to come and see him perform.
I didn’t know that Cheryl Cole had put out a version of The First Cut is the Deepest: an inferior one according to Rod and it was that kind comment that reinforced the loyalty and affection which seems to exist. I was amazed at the size of the 02 and wondered how people could see at the side if they were long way from the stage. Where are the side screens I thought? I felt embarrassed at not knowing more lyrics and as I turned around everyone was singing and so I felt the need to mime just to be part of the crowd.
I thought Alistair was very brave to come on during Sweet Little Rock n Roller and not just to appear in front of that size crowd but also to dance and sing. He’s only 9! I took a purple balloon back to our hotel and wanted to take it home on the train the next day. Not a football but a reminder of what had been a unique experience. My friend had given her approval that this was a suitable first gig. (She had seen JLS). I think this was more than suitable. If I never see Rod again, I know now why my Dad has been to see him so many times and I realise that he is not so strange after all to have followed his career for so long. The atmosphere is all at a Rod gig and I came away thinking I had been properly entertained and that was without knowing most of his material.
One of my memories will be looking at a 70 year old woman clinging hold of a balloon at the end of the gig as I tried to find the exit for the tube station. This was the same woman who had been dancing and throwing her arms around during a word perfect performance of Maggie May. OAPs don’t behave like that do they? Well they certainly do at Rod Stewart gigs.
Photograph of Father and Daughter By Yve Paige
Photograph of Father and Son By Yve Paige
Set List
This Old Heart Of Mine
You Wear It Well
Tonight’s The Night
Having a Party
Can’t Stop Me Now
Young Turks
The Killing of Georgie
Chain Of Fools (Ruby Stewart vocals)
Forever Young
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Have I Told You Lately
Brighton Beach
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
She Makes Me Happy
Sweet Little Rock & Roller
Handbags and Gladrags
I’d Rather Go Blind
Soul Girl (backup singers vocals)
Reason to Believe
Maggie May
You’re In My Heart
Hot Legs
Baby Jane
Sailing
Encore:
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?