Whalemeat: Winter tour

review Mike Curtis

It's well after eight o'clock and no sigh of any movement on the stage yet. I wonder what's happening on 'War and Peace? The lights dim and a band calling themselves Rocking Horse stagger onto the stage. They play lots of tracks off their 'Throughbred' album. In fact they play the same songs as they did during their Buck-a-head appearance.

The band is good when Carl Eversen doesn't sing. His singing reminds me of 'Pot-Belly Jones' from the Two Ronnies. One new song they're written is good: "You don't need an Answer". It features some good slide and lead breaks from their guitarist.

The Yandell sisters really impressed me. Most of their material has Motown influences and their act is very similar to the Supremes. They sing a powerful version of 'Sweet Inspiration'. None of their material is original but I would rather hear good songs well done that mediocre home grown variety. They finish their bracket with 'Dirty Old Man".

After the interval the band (Rocking Horse did all the backing) plays 'Diamond Dogs' and on comes Mark Williams dressed in a blue sarin suit. The band is supplemented by the Yandell sisters and a good brass section (they should of had them on with the Yandells). Williams' ability as an entertainer is first class. He performs good versions of superstition and Wild Honey. The sex-image he portrays is liked by the crowd. (his pelvic thrust is enough to make any Bopper creme their pants). His best song is the Bill Withers number 'Ain't no Sunshine Any More'. It features a very good flute solo from one of the band. He sings his last number, "Love the One You Ye with" amid a flurry of balloons (someone must have seen the Muldoon show the night before) and, yes, dancing in the isles. What more could the audience want but an encore, another Bowie number, 'Knock on Wood'.

The sound system was one of the best I've heard at a concert. The lighting was dismal for the amount of gear they had. It's a pity that the hall wasn't full as people would rather pay money to see some trashy overseas artist. In fact that's probably the reason the hall was only two thirds full as next month sees an average of two overseas artists each week touring the country. Roll on Lou Reed!