Tuesday 18th November 2014 - LONDON Maida Vale - BBC Radio 4 Mastertapes

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

RE: Tuesday 18th November 2014 - LONDON Maida Vale - BBC Radio 4 Mastertapes

Mark L · Loudmouth

It sounds like an absolutely brilliant evening and I am even more jealous now than before. The 'night of the decade' is high praise indeed but totally credible and obviously justified. Thanks for the feedback and well done with the ipad ArrGee!

noelindublin · Loudmouth

It would be interesting to film the band during rehearsals. This comes across a bit like a rehearsal session, in a good way of course. Only fault is Geldof being so static- he always performed better when he moves about the stage.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Mark L wrote:
It sounds like an absolutely brilliant evening and I am even more jealous now than before. The 'night of the decade' is high praise indeed but totally credible and obviously justified. Thanks for the feedback and well done with the ipad ArrGee!

Seems to have turned out better than both london gigs for ArrGee. Or was it the beer? smile smile

Scottie · Loudmouth

Arr Gee, don't be put off by the fact that Bob Geldof has commented on one of the videos and liked. It is a 62 yr old Scot masquerading. Don't tell anybody.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
Mark L wrote:
It sounds like an absolutely brilliant evening and I am even more jealous now than before. The 'night of the decade' is high praise indeed but totally credible and obviously justified.
Seems to have turned out better than both london gigs for ArrGee. Or was it the beer?

I enjoyed the London gigs a lot, but a gig is a gig and to a large extent once you've seen one, the rest are variants on a theme, especially in these days of Bobby Boomtown. The Polo Club was pretty damn good, but Cork was a proper occasion, so it stands out for me as the best of all I have seen of the latest reformation. The 100 Club and Whelans were highlights of the in between days, and ultimately nothing will ever beat the first time I saw them at The Rainbow, though seeing them at The Hammersmith Odeon the following year was nearly as good.

Last night was a true one off money can't buy experience. I suppose someone did buy it via the auction, but they didn't get to ask a question and have a little bit of banter. Funnily enough, they were sat next to us.

My only regret from the night is I still didn't get my original album cover signed. I brought it to the Polo Club in the back of the hire car thinking I might see them, and again last night lovingly preserved in a cardboard LP mailer. At home it is always in its PVC cover. Tango was impressed at how well preserved it was. I'd never bring it to a gig, far far too precious. Kept a tight hold of it all the way home on the tube. I could have lost the iPad, but that cover just cannot be replaced. Well maybe it could but it would always be someone else's and not the one I bought as a fourteen year old.

suss · In the Long Grass

Hate to say this but if the pub contingent had hung about around 3 more minutes on leaving (basically the time it took me to walk up to main studio doors where my scooter was parked) you'd have met Bob, Simon, Darren and Alan wandering out. Couple more signatures for the pristine album at least. They seemed in good spirits and appeared satisfied it had gone well.

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

Thanks for all this ArrGee. Wish I could have gone too. I will watch it all (!) tomorrow.

Tango · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:

My only regret from the night is I still didn't get my original album cover signed.

suss wrote:
Hate to say this but if the pub contingent had hung about around 3 more minutes on leaving (basically the time it took me to walk up to main studio doors where my scooter was parked) you'd have met Bob, Simon, Darren and Alan wandering out. Couple more signatures for the pristine album at least. They seemed in good spirits and appeared satisfied it had gone well.

So close, ArrGee! Although to be fair, it's in such good nick it'd almost be a shame to put pen to it.

I seem to spend a lot of time just missing the band. One day, one day....

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Hate to say this but if the pub contingent had hung about around 3 more minutes on leaving (basically the time it took me to walk up to main studio doors where my scooter was parked) you'd have met Bob, Simon, Darren and Alan wandering out. Couple more signatures for the pristine album at least. They seemed in good spirits and appeared satisfied it had gone well.

The Gerry Cott Arms was calling too loudly! I suppose if I was patient enough and brought it along with me to everything, I could have got it signed at some point by five of them bar Fingers. However it would be tattered and torn. I kind of just hope to chance on them like I did with Glenn Tilbrook three weeks ago. Not really into hanging around at stage doors or meet and greets as you know. Much rather go for a beer and talk about it all with others.

suss · In the Long Grass

Sorry, wasn't suggesting hanging around with intent, just that another 3 minutes later and you'd have got lucky as they rolled out anyway.

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

Not hanging round with intent? What's that?

Melv · Diamond Smiles

A bit late with my report, but it was a fantastic evening, 2 hours just flew by, I could have listened for another 2 at least. ArrGee has summed the show up pretty well in his report.

It was touch and go as to whether I got in, but luckily as I was with ArrGee and Tango who were question askers I was allowed in and unbelievably asked to sit on the front row! Couldn't have asked for more!

Many thanks again for giving me a ticket ArrGee and great to meet you too Tango.

ArrGee asked a great question which generated a lot of chat from Bob and the band. I believe some of it may be cut, as there were some naughty words spoken, smile but it'll be interesting to get reactions when this is featured in the second part which will be aired on Dec 2nd.

It's a shame we missed the band after, but it was great to catch up in the pub, hope to see you both at some gigs next year.

As ever, great to see Suss too!

Melv

P.S. One point that did stand out for me was when Bob said the current Rats tours were not nostalgia and the songs are as relevant today as they were when released and he was enjoying signing them much more now without the commercial pressures and he could also connect with them as much if not more today. I would agree that it certainly seems that way and the songs certainly don't sound dated even when singing about the 70's!

-- Edited by Melv on Wednesday 19th of November 2014 06:57:37 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Sorry, wasn't suggesting hanging around with intent, just that another 3 minutes later and you'd have got lucky as they rolled out anyway.

My luck yesterday was absolutely incredible. I even got a freebie of £100 worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers in the post. Add in the front row view of the show, asking my question and Melv buying me beers out of gratitude, I did pretty well on the luck front. As you said though shame we didn't waste a bit more time. If only you had to give someone a lift home

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

theboomtownrats.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/rats-return-to-maida-vale.html

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

SssshYouKnowWho

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

KeepItUnderYourHat

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ThatsAllFolks

Mark L · Loudmouth

It's times like this you realise how great it is to be part of this forum. Top work capturing this.

By the way, ArrGee, you couldn't put a couple of pounds on the lottery for me, could you? wink

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

Just watched them. Brilliant and agree, glad to be part of this forum. If you can't get there, you can be vicariously through another

.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
ArrGeeinMaidaVale3

Was that Garry or Simon saying 'yeah the speakers are, I hesitate to use a word beginning with s..... after Bob ins't happy with the bass sound?

Geldof seems a bit like a headmaster and Pete a guilty schoolboy in this 'incident' but what a great little insight into group dynamics.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
Just watched them. Brilliant and agree, glad to be part of this forum. If you can't get there, you can be vicariously through another .

Arguably, what you have seen isn't the most interesting part. I have seen and heard these songs performed on numerous occasions in the last couple of years, so that was nothing new. It was the discussion about the album that made it for me.

Hopefully most of it will remain for the radio show, but given they have to squeeze two hours into two half hour shows there are bound to be some savage edits. As Melv wrote, it was two hours that whizzed by. Can't imagine the BBC will have the unedited version.

I can't say how it all went down with the rest of the audience, they could have all been bored sh!tless for all I know (and all I care). I was too close to see the bigger picture, but there was a palpable atmosphere in the studio.

I found it all utterly compelling except for the irrelevant diversion as far as the album was concerned into free downloads and streaming and its impact on the development of bands. I could have answered it in two words. Royal Blood.

Tango · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:

I found it all utterly compelling except for the irrelevant diversion as far as the album was concerned into free downloads and streaming and its impact on the development of bands. I could have answered it in two words. Royal Blood.

For my part thought this was quite interesting, not so much on the development of bands as I think he's probably largely wrong there, but the devaluation of music (or recordings at any rate, as live music just gets pricier and pricier) is a hefty debate, the more voices the better. Although don't imagine it'll make the cut as it was brought on by Band Aid talk that Bob didn't want in.

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

I am looking forward to hearing the show.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Tango wrote:
... the devaluation of music (or recordings at any rate, as live music just gets pricier and pricier) is a hefty debate, the more voices the better....

This is a good article on the subject.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/11196158/Bob-Dylan-Pink-Floyd-Queen-Can-Dad-Rock-save-Christmas.html

The record industry is in trouble, album sales are falling, kids only download singles and stream music for free But who is this, charging over the snowbound horizon to save Christmas? Why, it is the Charge of the Dad Brigade.

50-quid man has migrated online, getting his music fix by perusing deluxe box sets on Amazon. The most coveted of these are beautifully packaged physical objects with premium prices. These days, perhaps we should be talking about 100quid man

Old codgers like me are still forking out a fair amount of dough for music. I have a few new LPs (Bowie, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood, Franz Ferdinand) which I have paid £10-£20 for but have also spent daft money on Suede, Franz Ferdinand and Nirvana box sets, not to mention The Jam and The Clash singles box sets. And don't forget there are those who have spent £20 on a Rats ep of dubious quality. Fortunately I was spared that decision as they'd all sold out by the time The Rats got to Cambridge.

My 15 year old son on the other hand has never bought a record nor a download. His musical tastes are not that dissimilar to mine, probably due to the continual diet of XFM, so he just puts the MP3s I get with the LPs on his phone or alternatively listens on Spotify. I listen to almost all my CDs on Spotify, cos I'm too lazy to find where I ripped it onto my hard drive.

If anything, I'm a total b@stard as far as the music industry is concerned as all I do is scour charity shops and eBay for second hand LPs which feeds nothing back into the music industry at all. But it does feed the world. You know, it's Christmas!

Tango · In the Long Grass

Interesting piece! I too am a charity shop pest, but if someone's got a new record out I do try to cough up, seems only fair (although admittedly I do often Spotify it first - but ultimately I'd rather give direct and have the music to do what I want with than listen to endless bleedin' adverts every few tracks).

I think you mean (imagine an exemplary Noddy Holder voice, if you will) IT'S CHRIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAS!

suss · In the Long Grass

noelindublin wrote:
Was that Garry or Simon saying 'yeah the speakers are, I hesitate to use a word beginning with s..... after Bob ins't happy with the bass sound?

Was Garry Noel.

Mark L · Loudmouth

noelindublin wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
ArrGeeinMaidaVale3
Was that Garry or Simon saying 'yeah the speakers are, I hesitate to use a word beginning with s..... after Bob ins't happy with the bass sound?
Geldof seems a bit like a headmaster and Pete a guilty schoolboy in this 'incident' but what a great little insight into group dynamics.

I think it was Garry. Pete looked like a rabbit frozen in the headlights but to be fair, it's not clear what Bob was looking for or that the bass was at fault. Shame it stopped at 50 secs but surely 'Let's go again' followed quickly thereafter? If that had been said first off, Pete may not have looked so flummoxed and embarrassed.

Simon should have stopped drumming and said 'Oi, stop, stop, the vocals are wrong, you're shoehorning too many tick tocks into the thing'.

But it wouldn't have happened, would it?

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

No wonder that sounded unfamiliar. I thought how could I have not noticed or gorgotten. I'd missed it.

. As if Geldof never goes wrong.

.

Are they all scared of him lol.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
Are they all scared of him lol.

Everyone is. Don't you remember the famous "We're Scared of Bob" video from Spitting Image ?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=41mMxnj_6xg

"We're scared of Bob was a spitting Image comedy sketch parodying the Live Aid and USA For Africa song "We Are The World". It features puppets of the actual musicians who recorded the actual "We Are The World song" e.g. Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner.

The sketch was portrayed as a parody of the Band Aid / USA for Africa charity records with the various artists suggesting they're only making the record because they were too afraid to say no when Bob Geldof asked them - even the ones who shouldn't have been on the record because they weren't even pop singers, but Geldof had dialled a wrong number.

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

That is what I was thinking of when I said it

.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Jules wrote:
No wonder that sounded unfamiliar. I thought how could I have not noticed or forgotten. I'd missed it. . As if Geldof never goes wrong. .

Are they all scared of him lol.

Some of the 'liveisms' work, but the shoehorning in of tick tocks to Clockwork, doesn't for me. I don't mind 'fish, fish' after 'saving some fish' in SLAY or even 'see' before 'Billy doesn't like it' in Rat Trap but spare me the new rap in the opening of this or the long pause after 'how to die' in Mondays (it worked spectacularly on 13/07/85 but that was it) or the elongation of the closing 'ohs' in the same song.

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

Those fast talking Tick Tocks aren't good, neither is the rap intro to Rat Trap. Thankfully Geldof dropped that later. He seriously milks that pause in Mondays. There is mixture of responses within the crowd, from heckling to cheering! I just stand and wait for him to get on with it!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
He seriously milks that pause in Mondays.

That was another reason this was so good. No Mondays! There was the odd mention of it, but it's very refreshing to have an intelligent discussion around the Rats not centered on Mondays. It's not that I dislike Mondays it's just that sometimes it's feels like it's the only thing they have ever done.

Had the whole Band Aid 30 thing not happened, it's possible that that would have been more or less ignored as well. I suspect much of the talk around it will be edited out. I'm at the point where I'd pay them if they promise to never record it again. Once was enough. Surely someone can write a new song, they have had thirty years.

I do agree with the tickety tickety tock. the mouse ran up the clock thing in Clockwork and the old codger rap in Rat Trap. Just cut them out!