Well the illness seems to have passed. Rod never mentioned the cancelled O2 gig on Thursday and seemed to really enjoy himself tonight….the Manchester Arena is a great venue and the 20000 plus crowd were certainly appreciative of tonight’s show.
A few changes from last weeks Nottingham show in that Some Guys , and Havin a Party were dropped and replaced with
This old heart and Twistin….The biggest disappointment for me however was that he also dropped Its Over and unless I am mistaken didn’t replace it ( so a song less I think). Its Over is I feel one of the strongest tracks on the album certainly head and shoulders above Finest Woman which is still included…big disappointment!
Thankfully Georgie is still included even if Rod did introduce it as a song from 1977…I guess at the age of 68 we will allow him to mistake the date by one year….I am a little less forgiving with the fact that he totally butchered You’re in my Heart by skipping the whole second verse. He did exactly the same last week….and whilst we are all aware that Rod regularly gets a little mixed up with lyrics and verses ( has anyone ever heard him sing Some Guys or Baby Jane word perfect) the cynic in me tells me that maybe Penny doesn’t want to hear about “…..the big boosomed lady with the Dutch accent….” Perhaps (cynically still)that’s why Finist Woman ( which to me is one of the weaker album tracks)is included.
I love listening to Twistin and Sweet Little Rock and Roller but to me they just don’t have the same impact as they had 20/30 years ago…maybe Rods voice just isn’t strong enough to carry them off….watch the Forum concert from the Tonight I’m Yours tour or Twistin from Vagabond Heart tour….to see what I mean.
The band to me are without doubt accomplished and talented musicians but they are just a little too polished and “Hollywood” for me, At one stage Rod told them that they could remove their ties….a very disciplined approach….Rods in charge and the band are the hired help…..maybe jetting in and out as opposed to being on the road with the band ( he is 68 and earned his right for comfort though) has negated the rock n roll feel to the band.
The acoustic set is great and allows the band to show off their artistry especially J’anna Jacoby….Don Kirkpatricks acoustic solo on Have I told you lately? Just isn’t in the same league as Jim Cregans contribution on the Unplugged and Seated album.
As previously stated Rod was in great form even poking fun at himself and his dress sense claiming that at his age he should know better and that he doesn’t care.
Brighton Beach felt like it was included in the set for the last 40 years….it sits so well and proves without doubt that Rod has a penchant for song writing……It was all in all a great show but somewhat predictable in content ( so many better songs he could include)…The set finished on Baby Jane….30 years old this month….Sailing (not quite as impactful without Paul Warren) and the disco dreadful sexy finished the show.
Duration 1hr 45 minutes
Rod………in great form and great voice
Band……..accomplished and talented but too Hollywood
Set…………predictable
Review by Gerrard Rafferty
photographs by Yve Paige