Ale, music and enjoying life.
Hugh Cornwell – Louth Town Hall 1st November 2017
Just collected me thoughts after a mini break part of which took in Hugh at Louth.
Hugh Cornwell & John Cooper Clarke @ Manchester Ritz 03/12/16
Saturday in Manchester had it’s fair share of early Xmas drinkers and a lot of the pubs I usually frequent before a gig were rammed. That said I managed to get sufficient ale and took in a wonderful Tofu dish in Chinatown with my mate Johnny before the gig.
Never been to the Ritz in Manchester and I was surprised on entering just how big it was. Hugh and Johnny Clarke had managed to sell this out (or very close to it) as the place was packed.
An appreciative audience delighted in Hugh and John’s run through of the album. The songs really shined live helped by a great backing band. There’s a genuine friendship between Hugh and John which came across in between songs. Cool bantz guys!.
Great to see Windsor or drums and Phil Andrews on keyboards. There was a couple of chaps stood behind me commenting on Phil. “Who is he? He has luscious hair!” . Once the album was out of the way John went off stage for a ciggie whilst Hugh delighted the crowd to some old Stranglers classics and a couple of solo numbers. Phil providing the Dave Greenfield-esque freakout on Walk on By.
Was good to meet up and chat with Hugh after the gig.
Hugh’s drummer Windsor has to be one of the greatest drummers out there at the moment.
Great also to see Phil Andrews who handed me a copy of his solo album which I will review on here in due course.
Hugh Cornwell @ Cork, Ireland 25th May 2016
Staying at the Jury’s Inn in the centre of Cork we’ve not far to walk to reach the venue. In fact it’s so close that we stop off at a couple of pubs along the way (rude not to). Having spent the bulk of that day in the delightful Kinsale we were rounding off a perfect day with drinks, food and a Hugh gig.
Arriving at the venue shortly after doors opening at 8pm I find we instantly double the attendance. Heading to the bar for a couple of glasses of wine I’m informed that Hugh would be on at 8.45 and the bar would be closed whilst he was onstage. Fine by me, I’ll get this wine down me then head for another before he hits the stage. 8.45 arrives and there’s no sign off Hugh. On the upside however the crowd has increased dramatically and if everyone was sat down then all seats would be taken. It’s a good solid turn out for a midweek gig with little publicity.
Hugh walks through the crowd and takes to the stage at around 9.10. It’s a similar setlist to what he toured back in Blighty towards the end of last year. I was expecting he would do that not having played this set to the Irish fans (they were in for a treat). The set is a potted history of Stranglers right through to current day solo stuff. He starts with Strange Little Girl and ends with the yet to be recorded Grand Dame (off the forthcoming “Villains” album). The crowd are very receptive and having a good old sing-a-long.
After the gig Hugh fronts the merch stand and is there for any fan who wants to chat. I wait around to have a chat with him and he’s trying to hint for a drink “*clears throat* Ooo I could do with a drink” all fans seem to ignore his repeated calls. “Hugh can I get you a beer?” “Jim! thought you’d never ask” – I grab him an ale (it’s the least I can do) and we have a catch up. Another classic Hugh gig!.
Credit to Mick on the forums for a much better review and setlist
http://www.themeninblack.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21534
01-Strange Little Girl 02-Get A Grip On Yourself 03-Dagenham Dave 04-Outside Tokyo 05-Duchess 06-Second Coming 07-Tramp 08-Never Say Goodbye 09-No Mercy 10-Always The Su 11-Break Of Dawn 12-Man Of The Earth 13-First Bus To Babylon 14-Black Hair Black Eyes Black Suit 15-Lay Back On Me Pal 16-Under Her Spell 17-Beat Of My Heart 18-I want One Of Those 19-La Grande Dame 20-Nice N Sleazy 21-Cadiz 22-Golden Brown
Hugh Cornwell – Selby Town Hall 14th November 2015
The town hall is full of charm, from the decorative welcoming interior to the polite and helpful staff. Once I plonked myself next to a local and got chatting it came as no surprise to hear him singing it’s charms. My new friend visits Selby Town Hall on a regular basis he mentioned how they always get interesting acts and although he knows who Hugh is he asks what we’re in for. I let him know the stucture (i.e Hugh playing a song from each album etc). He mentioned that he is blind and in his prime he’d followed the Beatles about and had seen them live a few times. Interesting chap, a pleasure to chat with him.
I find myself on the front row right in the middle the weather is miserable outside but the venue is warm and welcoming and thanks to my mate Johnny I’m soon sat there with an interesting ale in hand. Hugh takes to the stage and we’re treated to another run through of classics.
After the gig I’m lucky enough to have a chat with Hugh after the merch stand dies down. I ask him if he’s coming for an ale with us but unfortunately he has to drive down South for the next gig. He tells me he’d rather drive now than in the morning in rush hour. We wish each other a happy Xmas and bid our farewells. Looking forward to seeing him on tour in May 2016 with the full band.
Hugh Cornwell – Leeds Carriageworks 4th November 2015
I work over the road from The Carriageworks but I’ve never stepped foot in there before so I had no idea what to expect. The tickets showing 7.30pm; is that the performance time or the doors? A quick check with the venue and I’m informed it’s actually a 7pm doors and 7.30 performance. Wasn’t entirely clear and about 30% of the audience ended up rolling in post 7.30 and missing out on the start of Hugh’s set. Bit of an unusual one as I’d decided to take my parents along – They’d recently retired and unlike me didn’t have work the following day so they came along having no idea what to expect (“Oh I thought he was just going to sit and play guitar didn’t realise he would sing as well” ).
Having walked in just after 7 we made our way to the bar and ordered several mini bottles of Merlot and then headed to the theatre for the gig. Quite a decent turn out in the end the venue was about 3 quarters full which ain’t too shabby for a midweek gig. Hugh took to the stage at around 7.45.
He’s changed the setlist from the last tour and there’s some interesting little bits and pieces in there I never thought I’d hear done on electric guitar let alone stripped back. Second Coming, Man Of The Earth, Tramp, No Mercy all sounding good.
Also worth mentioning that his solo set sounded much better than his Stranglers set (Oopppfff!! controversial! Calm down at the back). Unsure whether it’s just because he settled more into his stride (he did have the odd fluffed note in the first 3 songs) or whether its purely that the solo songs lend themselves better to the acoustic treatment. Under Her Spell sounded fantastic.