Sweet Sound Of Success.
Last Wednesday was the latest in a long line of big concerts staged at the Unity Hall, Wakefield, when the 'SWEET' stopped over for a one-night stand, supported by The Steve Lynton Band.
The Steve Lynton Band were on stage when I arrived and were quick to prove themselves an excellent support act.
Steve Lynton himself played lead guitar and sang lead vocal. His guitar playing was good and prominent, making good use of the sustain gathered from sheer volume. His solos were neat and clean, without being too ostentatious----that was until he started playing the instrument with his teeth and behind his neck (not at the same time of course)
CLEVER
I must admit it is clever, but I can't help thinking I have seen it done before. (Jimi Hendrix perhaps)
Dave Page on bass formed the backbone of the sound, by relying heavily on the repeated use of single notes in quick succession, and a split tone sound which gave a deep heavy bass note and a hard, solid treble note at the same time, the effect filled out the sound nicely.
Philip on drums (I missed his last name) was a straight no-nonsense drummer who slotted nicely into the framework of the act, keeping the whole lot on a good tight rein.
SIGNAL
After a half hour gap whilst equipment was being moved around the stage we got the signal that the SWEET were due to appear. The stage was in darkness but you could just make out the shapes of the lads coming on.
During this time there was a constant chant of "We Want Sweet" from the front lines of the audience. After a bit of chat in the darkness they launched into their first number "Ballroom Blitz", In the time honoured way by letting off a smoke bomb and hitting the light switch at the same time.
The stage was flooded with light, smoke, and sound in an instant with nerve shattering results.
By far the most prominent item was the drum kit, ........It was perched at about head high to the rest of the act and consisted of a huge double kit of Ludwig drums finished entirely in Chrome which glinted all colours when the lights hit.
The cymbals were perched high in the air and the whole lot was ringed by seven mics which picked up the sound and blasted it through the four killowat P.A.
until it rattled your ribs (that by the way is no less than 40 times the power output of the average Club singer)
EXIT
The SWEET are now down to three members, Andy Scott on guitar, Steve Priest on bass and Mick Tucker on drums. The lead vocalist Brian Connolly made his exit some years ago.
The vocals are now shared by Andy Scott and Steve Priest for lead parts, but all three get together to produce that particular close harmony that they were famous for not too many years ago, and in fact did include a variety of their old numbers in the act.
FAST
The lead guitar was fast and furious, the bass guitar had difficulty making itself heard above the double bass drums, and the vocals were blended down into the overall sound as is the fashion nowadays.
TIGHT SOUND
The result was an almost Incredibly tight sound, no doubt the result of years of playing together.
HIGH SPIRITS
Once again I managed to have a word with the lads after the performance including Gary Moberley, the keyboard player co-opted for the tour. They were enjoying high spirits, even though they were positively drained after a hectic and high powered show.
The Ballroom Blitz Tour 11-3-81
1. Ballroom Blitz
2. Burn On The Flame
3. Restless
4. Burning/Someone Else Will
5. Two Into One
6. Hey Mama
7. Hell Raiser
8. Thank You For Lovin' Me
9. Own Up
10.Tell The Truth
11.Love Is Like Oxygen
12.Done Me Wrong Alright
13.Fox On The Run
14.Action
15.Set Me Free
16.Windy City
NOTE; Got an email tonight from Andy confirming the contents of his attic or loft, are mine.....good or bad. Waiting for Damian to return from his g/f's and then it will be sorted, I can't wait!!!
I need to make sure with Andy just what (if anything) I can share on this board? I'm NOT shooting myself in the foot on this one.
Also; We are off to see Pete Lincoln this Saturday 13th September, Let you know about that later.
PAWL.
Last Wednesday was the latest in a long line of big concerts staged at the Unity Hall, Wakefield, when the 'SWEET' stopped over for a one-night stand, supported by The Steve Lynton Band.
The Steve Lynton Band were on stage when I arrived and were quick to prove themselves an excellent support act.
Steve Lynton himself played lead guitar and sang lead vocal. His guitar playing was good and prominent, making good use of the sustain gathered from sheer volume. His solos were neat and clean, without being too ostentatious----that was until he started playing the instrument with his teeth and behind his neck (not at the same time of course)
CLEVER
I must admit it is clever, but I can't help thinking I have seen it done before. (Jimi Hendrix perhaps)
Dave Page on bass formed the backbone of the sound, by relying heavily on the repeated use of single notes in quick succession, and a split tone sound which gave a deep heavy bass note and a hard, solid treble note at the same time, the effect filled out the sound nicely.
Philip on drums (I missed his last name) was a straight no-nonsense drummer who slotted nicely into the framework of the act, keeping the whole lot on a good tight rein.
SIGNAL
After a half hour gap whilst equipment was being moved around the stage we got the signal that the SWEET were due to appear. The stage was in darkness but you could just make out the shapes of the lads coming on.
During this time there was a constant chant of "We Want Sweet" from the front lines of the audience. After a bit of chat in the darkness they launched into their first number "Ballroom Blitz", In the time honoured way by letting off a smoke bomb and hitting the light switch at the same time.
The stage was flooded with light, smoke, and sound in an instant with nerve shattering results.
By far the most prominent item was the drum kit, ........It was perched at about head high to the rest of the act and consisted of a huge double kit of Ludwig drums finished entirely in Chrome which glinted all colours when the lights hit.
The cymbals were perched high in the air and the whole lot was ringed by seven mics which picked up the sound and blasted it through the four killowat P.A.
until it rattled your ribs (that by the way is no less than 40 times the power output of the average Club singer)
EXIT
The SWEET are now down to three members, Andy Scott on guitar, Steve Priest on bass and Mick Tucker on drums. The lead vocalist Brian Connolly made his exit some years ago.
The vocals are now shared by Andy Scott and Steve Priest for lead parts, but all three get together to produce that particular close harmony that they were famous for not too many years ago, and in fact did include a variety of their old numbers in the act.
FAST
The lead guitar was fast and furious, the bass guitar had difficulty making itself heard above the double bass drums, and the vocals were blended down into the overall sound as is the fashion nowadays.
TIGHT SOUND
The result was an almost Incredibly tight sound, no doubt the result of years of playing together.
HIGH SPIRITS
Once again I managed to have a word with the lads after the performance including Gary Moberley, the keyboard player co-opted for the tour. They were enjoying high spirits, even though they were positively drained after a hectic and high powered show.
The Ballroom Blitz Tour 11-3-81
1. Ballroom Blitz
2. Burn On The Flame
3. Restless
4. Burning/Someone Else Will
5. Two Into One
6. Hey Mama
7. Hell Raiser
8. Thank You For Lovin' Me
9. Own Up
10.Tell The Truth
11.Love Is Like Oxygen
12.Done Me Wrong Alright
13.Fox On The Run
14.Action
15.Set Me Free
16.Windy City
NOTE; Got an email tonight from Andy confirming the contents of his attic or loft, are mine.....good or bad. Waiting for Damian to return from his g/f's and then it will be sorted, I can't wait!!!
I need to make sure with Andy just what (if anything) I can share on this board? I'm NOT shooting myself in the foot on this one.
Also; We are off to see Pete Lincoln this Saturday 13th September, Let you know about that later.
PAWL.
