SONGLIST: Higher Ground; Kiss My Soul; X-Town / 5-10-15-20; Moth To A Flame; Wild Frontier; Prisoner; Unknown Soldier / I’ve Got Rhythm; Blind Willie McTell; Son Of Red Moon / 18 Wheels & A Crowbar; Habits Of A Lifetime; Who Pulled The Nite Down. Encore: Oh Brother; Shank (Shadow On The Wall) / Toe Nail Draggin; Jesus & The Devil.
THE SHORTLIST: Micky Moody (lead, slide & acoustic guitar), Dave Colwell (rhythm guitar), Gary Twigg (bass guitar), Andy Hamilton (tenor & soprano saxophone), Ian Gibbons (keyboards), John Lingwood (drums & percussion).
In the months that have elapsed since the last Christmas gig at Leicester’s Y Theatre, Roger Chapman has been busy organising a European Spring Tour, the Summer festivals and a British Autumn Tour as part of a silver celebration to mark his 25 years as a solo artist. In so doing he has also had to rebuild a new band as Steve Simpson, Jim Cregan and Henry Spinetti were unavailable for the German and Austrian dates. Circumstances that left him pondering as to which direction he wanted to take his music – continue as things were, revert back to the rock rhythm and blues, move towards a more acoustic set or jazz it up into a more funkier sound. With the re-introduction of Micky Moody and John Lingwood and the addition of Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell he has chosen for the time being to return to the rockier Rhythm & Blues which has been his trademark for most of his solo career. A favourable decision amongst his most die hard fans at this stage.
Last Thursday, April 8th, which so happened to be his 62nd birthday, the band assembled in central London for four solid days of rehearsals over the Easter period. It was then on to Ascot on the Tuesday to play to 150 fans in Jagz Jazz Club before flying off to Abensberg in Germany for the start of a 16 concert 22 day tour. The Ascot venue was adjacent to the railway station, ideal for the followers who travelled by train from all areas of the country including one couple who had journeyed from the South of France. Others travelled by motorway from all points of the compass, covering hundreds of miles to witness the first gig of the silver celebration and to be re-united with fellow loyalists. The bond of friendship amongst the fans and band grows stronger with every gig, it’s all part of the load and an additional enjoyable attraction.
As 9.00pm approached the atmosphere inside the Supper Room, which was about the size of Bramall Lane’s goal area, intensified until Twiggy led the new line-up onto the stage. Great cheers erupted from the packed crowd, which increased further when the main man emerged, and then it was straight into the thumping Higher Ground. Micky Moody, bearing his head bandanna, on lead guitar and Ian Gibbons on keyboards set the tempo as Bucket, Twiggy and John Lingwood held the rhythm section tightly together as Andy Hamilton interspersed on tenor sax. Chappo powered his way through the song, mike stand clutched and dancing with his every movement until he stalked about centre stage thrashing his tambourine the way only he can. And so it continued in this manner, the first three extended songs of Higher Ground, Kiss My Soul and X-Town with 5-10-15-20 intermingled absorbed the first half an hour. Then came one of the fan’s favourite live songs, Moth To A Flame, which Chappo belted out with the same gusto and enthusiasm as he did 25 years previous when this was the set opener on the February 1979 Tour that launched his solo career. The new song, Wild Frontier, maintained the momentum before Prisoner and Unknown Soldier pushed the tempo and the levels of excitement amongst the audience higher again. Blind Willie McTell, as you would expect, received great applause with Micky on slide and Andy on soprano sax, and then it was straight into Red Moon which included 18 Wheels. That had everyone singing along, as too did Habits Of A Lifetime before the brilliant Who Pulled The Nite Down which brought the first set to a close, prompting shouts for more, floor stamping and constant clapping.
It had been non-stop energy, drive and power for over 100 minutes, so it was no surprise that Micky returned with an acoustic guitar. We all expected My Friend The Sun, but this was to be no Family night, this was Chappo’s solo silver celebration after all. So the night concluded with Oh Brother, Shank, which included a medley of Toe Nail Draggin’ and Twiggy doing a bass solo to cries of Twiggy On The Wall, and finally Jesus & The Devil with Micky playing finger plucking acoustic in place of Steve Simpson’s fiddle. At five past eleven Chappo stood exhausted and sweating from every pore centre stage, waved and thanked everyone for coming and disappeared into the dressing room at the back of the stage followed by the other band members. The crowd simply were ecstatic as they cheered and called for more but that was it, the end of another brilliant concert as the house lights were switched on.
Since 1997 I have travelled to Southampton (many times), Southsea, Ryde, Bristol, Dudley, Leicester and Tavistock and seen many magnificent and memorable Chappo concerts, but none can I recall as good as this which is an incredible statement considering it was their first gig together. That’s how good it was - a brilliant set of songs, despite the omission of Slap Bang In The Middle, the sound was spot on and Roger and the band had put everything into the performance and the show. This was certainly no pre-tour warm up, this was a demonstration of true musical professionalism with everyone striving to produce their best. It was the first time I had seen Micky Moody and he was simply sensational on lead, slide and acoustic, and I was surprised to learn afterwards from others, that for him he was rather restrained. The same was said of Bucket Colwell, so what we can expect next time around heaven knows! Steve Simpson, for so long Roger’s right hand man and a firm favourite with all the fans, is no longer there and is missed, but right now we have a new Shortlist line-up with its own fresh interpretation and sound. As one fellow Chappoite said to me, there have been some great Shortlist line-ups over the years but this could prove to be one of the best. High praise indeed, which points me towards Pete Feenstra’s excellent write up in the 20 page brochure, Roger Chapman - A Silver Celebration, now available at £5.00. It’s superb value and is an excellent read with a fine collection of photographs. It’s a fitting tribute to Roger and to his career as being one of Britain’s finest vocalists, performers and songwriters. He’s also an extremely friendly and modest man and again it was a great thrill for me to have a quiet chat and chuckle with him for quarter of an hour or so prior to the sound check. It just leaves me to wish the band and the crew a great time in Germany and Austria. Hope everything goes well, I’m sure everyone back home is already looking forward to the Autumn UK tour when the family of friends will gather once again under the same roof to enjoy one of the best live acts around and continue the celebrations.
ANDY JAGO, BRIXHAM, DEVON. APRIL 15th 2004.