We arrived in Harrogate mid afternoon in time to check out the Dylan exhibition in Castle Gallery, but at £2500 per print we decided not to invest and moved onto to view Edwyn’s Collins collection just a little further down the road and more than a little affordable than one of Bob’s. One Christmas present out of the way.
We checked into our hotel to prepare for the main event , a beautiful summer evening, a glass of pinot grigio and we were ready to rock.
Got to the Harrogate Theatre at 7.30, a lovely Victorian theatre, completely sold out, packed to the rafters with Harley fans, young and old all waiting with anticipation at the prospect of an exciting set list. Rumours had been flying since Leamington Spa, but with their usual consideration amongst fellow fans, they would not spoil it for those of us who had it all still to come.
We took our seats, the lights went down and Steve came on stage shortly after eight o’clock, looking fab and fit in a cool jacket that worked so well with the lights. And then we heard..........wait for it....... the opening chords of Ritz. Wow, could not believe it, took us back to being starry eyed teenagers. Just fantastic. Without pausing for breath, not even getting a chance to recover from Ritz and straight into Judy Teen, followed by a blistering Loves a Prima Donna (we’ve missed that one over the years, love to dance to it!) and then Mr. Soft. We were completely blown away, what an introduction to the first half, then the tempo slowed to a beautiful rendition of Coast Of Amalfi. We basked in the glow of the warmth of the song, the lights were soft and subdued, a song to relax with.
Steve then played his first song from his first album, Hideaway, we think only played live once in the last 10 years. Such a treat for us fans who go way back to 1973. Steve gave us a little insight of his experiences with EMI around that time , as he talks he teases with chords from All Men are Hungry, he has the entire theatre singing along with it. And then a very Caribbean feel to Muriel The Actor had us bopping in our seats. A quick change of guitar and Steve keeps the pace going with Riding the Waves. We are all singing and dancing in and Steve is grinning as he slips into You Won’t See Me, a Beatles cover that worked so well and took so many of us by surprise before returning to Riding the Waves that had everyone of us singing We’ve Got The Feeling as Steve finishes the first half and we can’t stop singing.
After the 20 minute break which seemed far too long as we couldn’t wait for more, we returned to our seats to await whatever Steve had up his sleeve for the second half of the show.
Still floating somewhere on cloud nine, we were awash with anticipation and excitement.
As the band returned to the stage we were not to be disappointed as the opening strains of Cavaliers filled our heads, and to all you 50 something’s out there opens the 2nd side of Psychomodo. Our kids wouldn’t have a clue what we were talking about. We have to comment here on Adam's excellent drumming and so nice to see him again, obviously enjoying himself and glad to be back, fitting in so well that it is hard to believe he has been away so long. Another huge treat as Too much Tenderness was delivered with a really bassy feel that we have Lincoln to thank for. And then a more serious moment as Steve dedicates the show to Lord Harewood, James’s late father who passed away last week. Steve told us how Lord Harewood had once made a sweet gesture, allowing him a private viewing of the Harewood House art collection. Steve said " I never forget a kindness" as the band begin to play This Old Man. As Steve always says it’s one for all our fathers, wherever they may be.
Another change of guitar and Steve and the band launch into a fabulous Lighthouse, with Barry taking centre stage in the spotlight and plays his socks off. Steve joking afterwards he’ll keep it in the set until Barry gets it right. If that’s the case let’s keep hoping Barry never gets it quite right. It’s a classic of a song and we never tire of hearing it.
Steve is enjoying himself as he’s chatting to us as though he knows us all personally. Talking of days with Marc Bolan and stealing his chords, obviously still misses his old friend and begins to play Journeys End, followed by Mr Raffles and Sebastian where James shines. A beautiful version.
Steve has left the stage. How did 2 ½ hours go by so quickly. We stand , we clap, we shout. We don’t want it to finish. Not yet.
Of course, he returns for his encore. And then Steve surprises us once more as he plays a Dylan cover Absolutely Sweet Marie. It goes down a storm and has the place rocking.
The place erupts as he bursts into Saturday Night at the Fair. Everyone is up and dancing as Make Me Smile follows it and sounds as fresh as ever. We are singing our heads off and have been transported back to 1975.
What a night, From start to finish, every song delivered with the enthusiasm of the Steve I first saw play 36 years ago. He gets better all the time and has delivered a perfect set with a mix from nearly all of his albums.
We meet Ana after the show. She has travelled from the USA and says it has been worth every penny, every second and she wishes it could go on and on.
We haven’t travelled quite as far, but if you add up the mileage over the years we have and more. And we can only agree with Ana. Can’t wait until Rochester
