Please use this topic to post your 2008 Carpet Slippers Tour reports and any photos. Many thanks.
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Sweet / Showaddywaddy / Rubettes Tour - Gig Reports
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 stewron |
Sweet / Showaddywaddy / Rubettes Tour - Gig Reports |
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Posts: 4547 17/04/08 19:20:21
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iamzoso60 |
Slippers tour | #1 | |||
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Posts: 2209 20/04/08 10:14:14 All You'll Ever Get From Me |
Here's one in advance.
Rubette's.....enjoyable 30mins. Usual hits and nice drum work. Sweet....loud, solid, slightly grumpy looking guitarist and why do they keep putting in Coco and Funny Funny....aaagghhhhhh Someboddyboddy, crap singer but kept the over 70s entertained. Is this what to expect? |
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Dyynam0 |
#2 | ||||
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Posts: 977 20/04/08 11:40:16 |
Unfortunatley, Coco and Funny Funny are what we will expect cos they always play these songs when they play in the UK. I wish they'd be brave and stick a
few album tracks into the set and do away with the bubblegum crap.
BTW, was this the way the bands lined up? Rubettes, then Sweet and finally Showallywally? I think I'll go for a meal when Sweet have finished. 
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AniseedRock |
#3 | ||||
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Posts: 482 20/04/08 11:44:44
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wow!!! is that what i can expect??? count me in!!! I love crap me
Well If 2 into 1 Won't Go...What The Hell Do I Do With 17?
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VC10 |
#4 | ||||
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Posts: 4767 20/04/08 12:17:23 Sweet Indulgence |
Slippers packed, thermos filled with Ovaltine, bloater paste sandwiches for the interval.
I'm prepped and ready to rawk Cheltenham style tonight! Let the Old Age Rampage begin! (so long as I'm home in bed by 9.30...)
"Burn On The Flame!"
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VC10 |
#5 | ||||
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Posts: 4767 20/04/08 23:17:53 Sweet Indulgence |
Back from Cheltenham
For those who have been to Glitz Hitz tours before it's same old, same old. Rubettes are harmless enough, they still shout "and that's rock 'n' roll" at the end of Juke Box Jive with no trace of irony. Its no coincidence that their best recieved material isn't their own, gouranga Drums, After the goldrush etc. However Sugar Baby Love is such a great song it would be brilliant even if they played on a kazoo. Good job really as the sound still needed work; the drums sounded like they were playing in a dustbin. And so to our boiz. apart from the stripper intro its just as you'd expect. The Glitz live cd; no more no less. The band seemed relaxed and happy. A couple of glitches but nothing as slack as Steve's trousers, he was losing a battle to keep his bum in his low cut jeans. Promptly got told off for taking photos, evidently its Flying Music who were kicking off about it. Gits. Or maybe they know that if any clips of Woeshoddyshoddy get out on youTube it would damage their ticket sales. I left after 15 mins of their set, just enough to establish that they were never going to set Cheltenham alight so sweet were of course the clear winners there. Dave Bartram bounces with enough energy but over the years he's developed a vibrato so wide and slow he makes Anothony Newley sound like a boy soprano. He's ok in talky type lines but dont ask him to do anything legato, its not good. I fear for them in 30 gigs time. It was nice to see Stewart and Gill was there too. I promised myself Id sit quiet and just watch the gig this time but alas it was not to be. Well I had to; during the Rubettes the only person who "ran" down the front was a guy in a motorised wheelchair! He headbanged too, rocking the joystick on his chair about. Good on yer mate you put everyone else to shame. So the Carpet Slippers have shuffled off, not even a top notch Sweet were ever going to jump start a Cheltenham audience but they gave it a darned good try. Until the next one, defibulators on stand-by! God how I love this band!!!
"Burn On The Flame!"
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Sherman Tank |
#6 | ||||
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Posts: 3157 20/04/08 23:37:15 Hellraiser |
Thanks for the report. No surprises.
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stewron |
#7 | ||||
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Posts: 4547 21/04/08 00:02:36
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No, no surprises. I didn't catch too much of the Rubettes but what I did hear seemed pretty good. Sweet were excellent and seemed genuinely happy on the stage (no grumpy guitarists in sight), Showaddywaddy...oh dear.  Not
good, and they were the headline act! I overheard a group of 4 men leaving at the same time as me, "Sweet were good, the best, but SWDWDY were a big
disappointment" - their view and mine too. Some strange characters in the audience too at Cheltenham...be warned if you see them elswhere...click for
larger images - many more to follow.
Last Edited By: stewron 21/04/08 00:11:22.
Edited 1 time.
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sailormarinero |
#8 | ||||
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Posts: 277 21/04/08 04:31:28 Slow Motion |
So Dave Bartram still sings like he missed the bus (always just a "bit" too late to what the others are playing)? We hadn't seen them for some
years and were shocked |
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stewron |
#9 | ||||
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Posts: 4547 21/04/08 09:21:06
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sailormarinero wrote: You know that's EXACTLY what I thought and others said - he was always a beat behind the rest of them - strange. |
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Koswold |
Same for me | #10 | |||
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Posts: 3 22/04/08 10:40:03 |
As in previous reports, I went to the opening night in Cheltenham and I thought Sweet were excellent- this wasn't a rock concert so they were obliged to
play songs like Poppa Jo and Funny Funny.
Rubettes ok but Showaddywaddy were awful- couldn't hear hardly a word and I thought Dave Bartrams mic was faulty, but from reading what's on here he seems to have problems with his singing voice. Definitely not 'top of the bill' quality. After this I will definitely be going to see Sweet again at Napton (reminder for anyone else going- the ticket prices go up every month, to attract more up-front buyers, so they will be going up again next week!!) |
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sammy |
#11 | ||||
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Posts: 1191 22/04/08 11:03:11
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Thanks for the reports. You guys almost make me wanna see Showaddywaddy myself...
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stewron |
#12 | ||||
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Posts: 4547 22/04/08 11:26:06
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Koswold wrote: I've not heard that they're at Napton this year?? |
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Airhead |
and more on Cheltenham! | #13 | |||
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Posts: 173 22/04/08 14:17:17
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Somehow I missed VC10 and Stewart, but saw the whole show. I'm not sure I totally agree with everyone's views, but here are mine for what they're
worth!
Love them or hate them, I thought Rubettes were tight and polished - but as first band on stage after the 5pm soundcheck, they had the advantage. I honestly felt I have seen better nights from Sweet, but it was the first night of the tour and the first time I've seen Pete fronting the band, so that was interesting - having chatted with him, he seems a really nice guy too. I briefly chatted with Damian before the gig who said the first night on these shows is always hard ... one mixing desk and a 'hot-seat' change for three sound guys is really tough. Especially as Sweet were on stage within three minutes of Rubettes coming off. As for the rock'n'rollers from my home city, I agree with earlier comments about Dave's vocal performance and delivery, but couldn't decide whether his voice has gone or there were technical issues with the compression and limiting, as the mic did seem to cut. Either way it made a difficult listen even for their loyal following. I do want to give full marks to my old classmate Danny Willson on lead guitar who also tours with Wishbone Ash. He's an excellent player. If you're going to see one of the shows on this tour, I'd offer the following comment. While it is much as you've seen before, bear in mind that people who come to these gigs are not hard core Sweet fans, but mainly those who bought the hit singles - hence the set list. There would be no point in playing Cockroach to that audience; the hits are what they come to hear. Having said that, the headbanging lady in front of me with a walking frame will haunt me for the rest of my life!
Finally, a thought for the sound engineers who have a difficult job readjusting the controls for each band during their performance as it happens. It inevitably takes a while to get it right - Damian inherits whatever is left by the Rubettes engineer and has less than three minutes to turn it around. Don't expect perfection - it isn't possible under such circumstances. Bilston will be a very different story .... Mr Chiz
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Koswold |
#14 | ||||
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Posts: 3 22/04/08 14:43:39 |
You're right Stewron. Sorry if I mislead anybody, but I've just got this back from the Napton Festival organiser ......
Hi,
Sweet are not due to play this year at Napton Festival.
Sorry for any confusion caused, but the 2008 Festival have got Bad Company
headlining and there will be the usual high standard of music from all the other bands so we should be in for another excellent day. Tickets are only £16 at
the moment and the offer will last until at least the end of April.
Hope to see you on 13th Sept
Glad I saw them at Cheltenham now! 
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sailormarinero |
#15 | ||||
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Posts: 277 22/04/08 19:53:08 Slow Motion |
Yes, it is. I used to quite like them live in the mid-90s. Then we didn't see Showaddywaddy for some years, and at all the recent gigs they sounded like the singer "missed the bus" (our usual joke now) - meaning he's always a bit behind and sounds slightly frog-like. I did video somebits at 2 gigs in 2006 and 2007, but I didn't dare to upload them anywhere (to prove  ) as they seem VERY strict about their "no live recordings/videos"
policy. Understandable, though, under these circumstances!
Anyway... I hope you'll all enjoy Sweet if you can go and see them. Looking forward to more reports and pics!!! |
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richard65 |
#16 | ||||
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Posts: 2972 22/04/08 21:07:03
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I don't know how true this is, but i saw Showiddlewaddle a few years ago and was suprised by Dave Bartrams voice. i was talking to a mate about it
afterwards when a die hard Showaddlewiddle fan butted in and explained that Dave suffers from asthma related breathing difficulties. Again, i don't know
how true it is, but it would explain the "missed the bus" habit he now has. He certainly sounded strange, and the mike wasn't cutting out that
night.
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VC10 |
#17 | ||||
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Posts: 4767 24/04/08 18:46:01 Sweet Indulgence |
Just to keep this going round I thought I'd add...
The Rubettes are ok really. Most of my comment is fuelled by Sweet having to tour with such a lightweight act. Their music is pleasant, enjoyable and well played. I enjoy theoir set but wonder if I could bear a full gig. It's true it wasn't the most competent Sweet gig I've seen but I let euphoria blind me! :-) I know their Glitz set and I know when they c0ck it up. Their smirks at each other are another big clue. They will never and should never drop the Coco/Poppa Joe or Wig Wam Willy medleys. Anyone who thinks they should clearly pays no attention to the reaction they have with the other 99.9% audience. Even at the Swedish Biker Festival the crowd started spontaneously singing Poppa Joe. I remember on one Glitz gig when Sweet were headlining Andy was excited enough to throw us an album track, Coackroach I think it was. It truly died on it's @rse, 14 HSHers were ecstatic and the other 1186 people froze over. Waddys guitarist is by far the best thing about the band and was from the first time I saw them. He's now beginning to look like Dave Bartram though, which is a little scary. Listen back to the Waddy 45s and you'll hear Mr Bartram wasn't that great in the 70s either. I respect Airheads ability to spot a duff mic when he hears one but what Im hearing is a vibrato so wide and slow, it sounds like the voice is shutting off and back on again every half second. Before we are too harsh on the man for keeping going his career going whilst vocally "missing the bus", will I be crucified for pointing out that non-sweet fans might have said the same about Brian in his later years?
"Burn On The Flame!"
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meadey |
#18 | ||||
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Posts: 731 25/04/08 06:10:12 |
A good point ! Unless you really take care of your voice over the years , it degenerates a hell of a lot . Drinking ,smoking and lots of other things that
" rock stars " do certainly don't help it . In my opinion .. a good example is Freddie Mercury , It the mid eighties I thought his voice was
rubbish live .. hardly any high notes and just a booming bottom end ( ooooer )
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iamzoso60 |
Birmingham | #19 | |||
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Posts: 2209 25/04/08 15:24:44 All You'll Ever Get From Me |
Meadey, are you going to the Alex show in Brum? If so we'll meet up for a pint.
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kelvinht1 |
#20 | ||||
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Posts: 201 26/04/08 17:45:26 Slow Motion |
Finally got me ticket for Kings Lynn..only planning to see Rubettes and Sweet. Shoddywotsits were bad last time I saw them - but that was towards the end of
the tour when dave's voice was starting to give out. He doesn't sound much better now so will head 'ome after Sweet....if I can find my way out of
their bloody one way system!
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