Crash-landed in Leeds at about 17:00 - almost literally! That was seriously the roughest landing I've ever experienced, and it's a good thing I'm not afraid of flying or that would have finished me off forever.
The flight was half an hour late so I was already tight on time - just dropped my stuff and off to the pub.
Meet, beer, chat. Poor Weebs was seriously suffering, but happily it didn't seem to affect his night overall; Keith was already in flying form that early, so much so that I threatened to confiscate his pint more than once! "Hi" to BoF, the HL Yoof contingent, and everyone else (far too many to mention) also.
So off to the gig. Missed the Aircrew too.
Also missed Salvation - I seem to remember getting talking to Jande, Mark and Kerri, and completely losing track of time. What I heard through the doors (Diamond Child and - I think - Puppet Master) sounded great, though.
James Ray wasn't really my cuppa - I know a lot of folks love his stuff, but just not really my thing. I still swear that I heard something that sounded like Mexico Sundown Blues. And no, James, I wasn't the one responsible for getting you ossified that time in Dublin years ago. He knows who he is - I wasn't even there!
And so to the main reason I was there. I love Chris Reed's work, both solo and with the Lorries, and this was a fantastic set and a smashing performance. That it wasn't the best of the night was a case of marks awarded to the next act rather than marks deducted from Chris. Set was mostly solo LP material, which worked just as well with the fuller musical backing, and a handful of classic Lorries at the end - Blow, Generation and Nothing Wrong. No Hold Yourself Down, but I was content nonetheless.
The Violets were utterly ace. It was obvious that they really passionately loved their music, and wanted to both give and have a good night. Rosie (babe alert!) and Si (Gimli alert!) really worked well together on stage, whatever keeps Tom so young and fit looking should be bottled and sold at a scandalous profit, and the bassist filled in admirably. The new songs fitted in great with the old ones too. Pity there was no Essence or Lights Go Out, but understandable enough. And did I meet Loz later on too?
The rest of the night was a blur between the dancefloor, our table, the bar, the smoking area and the gents. Maisey going totally mental to Headhunter should have been filmed! By 2:00 I'd gotten to the stage where I'd hit my limit, and headed off for a few hours of oblivion before making my weary way home with a hangover so bad I felt like I'd been hit by a train.
Once again - T. N. O.
Some very interesting/important/damn funny chinwags had.
