|
That's Two (Otway) Gigs - Skegness 2002
Billed as a Festival of Rock 'n' Blues, the weekend was centred around two venues within the Butlins, Skegness compound. The better known bands, John Otway included, got to play two gigs each - one at each of the venues on the same night.
As there were so many bands on view, I didn't get around to seeing them all, so this review is only about those acts I saw.
I was delighted on the day of our arrival, Friday, to be able to watch two full Otway & Holgarth performances, first in the 'Reds' venue, and again later in the slightly larger 'Centre Stage'. The sets had only minor variations, 'Two Little Boys' instead of 'Louisa', for example, but both ended in standing ovations. I was a bit worried about the massive step-ladder that was produced for You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, but both our heroes came through it relatively unscathed. At a very rough guess, there were about 400-500 people in 'Reds', and just over 1000 in 'Centre Stage'. Unfortunately, in the latter venue, the air-conditioning had been turned off to encourage people to drink more. Finding it far too uncomfortable to stay there, Ann and I turned in after John & Richard's set.
Saturday evening kicked off with Eddie and The Hot Rods in Reds. It was a good set that didn't seem to have changed much since Naughty Rhythms 2000. Next up was the Wilko Johnson Band, with Wilko taking lead vocals. This surprised me somewhat, as the higher-pitched voice came as a marked contrast to the old Lee Brilleaux days with Dr. Feelgood. Gone, too, was the black fringe, replaced now by an almost shaven head. But all the old technique was there, as were the rapid and unpredictable movements around the stage. A highly charged and satisfying set. Next came the Trevor Burton Band - competent, but not interesting enough to stop me wandering off after a few numbers, and getting myself a doner kebab on the way back to the barracks.
On Sunday, it was Dr. Feelgood's night. A gig in each of the two venues, again with several variations, but Steve Walwyn managed stunning solos in each of the two versions of Down By The Jetty Blues. The first was extraordinary, but to do it agin a second time was mind-blowing. Little wonder, then, that Robert Kane crowed "You won't hear better than that over the whole weekend". An opinion difficult, if not impossible, to argue with. Their first set, in Reds, was followed by the Climax Blues Band. Again, a competent band, but not that interesting, so I went to Centre Stage where John Coghlan's Band was belting out Quo numbers and really had the place rocking. Then Dr. Feelgood delivered their blistering second set, leaving me with a warm glow that lasted all night.
The format of the weekend was superb, allowing everyone to mix-and-match timings and venues of their preferred bands. Ann and I certainly had a great time.
As to Butlitz, I hesitate to air my true thoughts publicly. Suffice it to say that I doubt if I would willingly go there again unless I had a really good reason - like another Rock & Blues weekend.
That said, it was still a thoroughly satisfying weekend.
|
