Bob Geldof and Band, Amnesty International Concert, New York pics.

Scottie · Loudmouth

Bob Geldof and Band, Amnesty International Concert, New York pics.

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

RE: Bob Geldof and Band, Amnesty International Concert, New York

Scottie · Loudmouth

Mondays, Indifference and Banana Republic. He also led the singing of the final song, of I Shall be Released. He is sitting at the side of the stage off to the right. Some of the singing from others is dire. Think he was the only one who knew the words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ukC_i2vp8

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

RE: Bob Geldof and Band, Amnesty International Concert, New York pics.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Totally agree. I went to a few solo Geldof concerts and to some Roberts/Crowe gigs but not much could top the magic generated by 4 original Rats playing together.

I suppose 5 on the same stage would have, but I did not have the pleasure of seeing Gerry join them. 6 would be perfection but could it ever happen....?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Going to a Geldof solo gig is just different. If you're lucky you'll get about half a dozen Rats songs, but it's more for those who like his solo material. I saw him solo once, and although it was quite good and a full house to boot, I thought I'd not bother again regardless of the reunion.
As for the Roberts/Crowe incarnation, when it was good, it was absolutely brilliant (100 Club/Whelans), but there were nights like Blackheath Halls where the sparse crowd made you wonder what the whole point was.
Aside from the visual of Gerry Cott, his amp was not turned up beyond 5 for either of his cameo appearances on stage (Cadogan Hall/Roundhouse), so it is still the fab four actually playing (with a lot of help from Darren and Alan). Not sure Gerry Cott could play like he did, though I'd be happy for him to prove me wrong. It was great to see him and good that he made the effort to come along.
As for Fingers, making the long journey from Japan would take considerably more effort. I never thought the Rats would play in any form ever back in 2007, so if we are at the stage where five of them can share a stage then I guess it's not impossible. I am delighted they are playing more dates this year. Long may it continue with two or more of them doing a full set of Rats songs, even if we have to endure the eponymous song at the end.

Scottie · Loudmouth

I REALLY REALLY MISS his solo gigs, but I know I am alone here. Maybe next year.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

You aren't alone.

Mark L · Loudmouth

I enjoyed them enough, especially the Vegetarian stuff solo-wise but like Manatthetop, I was really there for the Rats stuff as that's what I fell in love with to begin with. No doubt though, he has written some good stuff solo-wise, and it's performed well and so I would go again if there were no choice.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

I hate all the fiddly, folky 'embellishments' that his solo band do on Rats tracks. Sorry but there is no place for violin on any Rat track, it just ruins it completely. I was somewhat underwhelmed when I saw Geldof at Islington, especially when doing the old Rats songs.

The Rats reunion was the real deal, and was the difference between day and night. Everything sounded as good as it could, no second hand experiences, or feeling of niggling dissatisfaction. Good enough for seven helpings, for me, so that is saying something. I'd be hard pressed to want to see Bob solo twice in a short space of time, but I'd always buy his records and be interested in what he gets up to solo. live it's all a bit too much.

Bobs solo records have a certain intimacy.They work largely for me as recordings, that don't need to be performed on stage to be valid. Put on SAD and turn down the lights and it works. smile

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Well said Noel,

Could not have put it better myself

Scottie · Loudmouth

If I could only afford to go to one gig, solo or Rats. SOLO every time. That is where I am alone here I think. I first saw Bob live solo 9 years ago and LOVED it.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Hmm yes, have to say it would be The Rats if that were the case. But I love both so would happily go to more solo gigs should there be any in a place that is realistic to get to.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

The different's for me regarding solo gig's/ rats gig's. Is that the solo gig's he plays to a few 100 As for the rat's gig's, well they are full house's. Now don't get me wrong here, As it has already been pointed out B4 bob has written a good few solo song's that I really like. But if I had to go like for like, Boomtown rats song's will top every time. I know everyone has there own opinion But this is my one and I'm sticking to it.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
I was somewhat underwhelmed when I saw Geldof at Islington, especially when doing the old Rats songs.

The only time I saw Geldof solo, I thought his rendition of the Rats songs particularly Mary/Joey/Rat Trap were absolutely superb. I'd even go as far as saying that some of the solo work was better live than recorded. But it was pretty full that night and I had the benefit of a front row seat. With a sparser audience it probably wouldn't be as good.

I'd probably not go to see Geldof solo again (proof being I didn't even bother with nearby Islington), as all I really want to hear are the Rats songs and there are too many lulls in the solo show for me. Also I fell that solo there is a lack of engagement with the audience, with Geldof hiding behind his hair and guitar.

As far as the Rats are concerned, I'd see any permutation of the band as long as they perform their songs. Well most of them. Always open to some Dr. Feelgood and Velvet Underground songs if they feel the urge.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Have to agree with you here seen the rats belfast oct 13 and with that band behind him Geldof just come's alive

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

I have been blessed with seen this band play with 6, 5 ,and now 4 members and i have to say each rime the guys have blow me away

Mark L · Loudmouth

Scottie wrote:
If I could only afford to go to one gig, solo or Rats. SOLO every time. That is where I am alone here I think. I first saw Bob live solo 9 years ago and LOVED it.

That's interesting. Did you go to see him based on knowing Bob from the Rats, Live Aid or on the strength of hearing some solo work you liked? Or just a random concert visit?

I first saw him solo at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton in 1990 and it was primarily my Rats allegiance that drew me there, bolstered by a very good album in the Vegetarians of Love, after what I thought was the rather disappointing Nowhere album.

Scottie · Loudmouth

Are you the Mark who is a Rats roadie? if you are, I know you. No, I had no allegiance to the Rats in their heyday, could not stand BG or their music. I only got interested in him when he did Live 8 in Edinburgh in 2005 and admired him as a person. I had no idea he did solo music. The same year I saw a gig advertised in Perth, so was curious more than anything. Asked my late husband to go, he said he would rather get his teeth pulled, went with a friend, met BG after the gig, liked him and I loved his music. bought all the solo albums. I kinda got used to him singing the Rats songs in his gigs and did not mind them. I manage BG's twitter and a secondary admin the FB page with Jules, she is the big boss. Used to run a fan page on myspace for him too. Got to know Bob, Pete and Alan well and when the Rats reformed I thought this is the only way I am going to see them all live at the moment in Britain. I saw 4 Rats gigs last year and I enjoyed them and have booked 2 so far this year. One or 2 tracks I cant take to, but most of them I like. And, as Suss will tell you, I was jumping around with the rest of them in Dundee. Just about killed me. Pensioners should not do things like that lol. I guess I was not ready or understood their music in my early twenties. My friends think I am mad. I should be doing "old people" things, not going to rock gigs. Cheers Irene/Scottie

Mark L · Loudmouth

Thanks for the reply. I'm not Mark, the roadie, as it happens - just a late 40s guy who came to the Rats around Tonic time and rarely a week has gone by since without listening to/watching/and now foruming (!) something Rats-orientated.

Although probably not unique, yours is a more unusual route to 'Geldofia' but a very interesting one. As for your friends, tell them they should be doing more of what you do, rather than the other way round and throw in the last few lines of Looking After No. 1 for good measure!

Cheers

Mark

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Agree with Mark, Irene. Do what you want to. It keeps you young and interesting.

Scottie · Loudmouth

Going to Whitehaven and Skegness at the moment.

suss · In the Long Grass

Scottie wrote:
And, as Suss will tell you, I was jumping around with the rest of them in Dundee. Just about killed me. Pensioners should not do things like that lol.

Can vouch for that. Just about killed a few in immediate vicinity too wink