Friday, February 18, 2000 Fiddlers Night Club, Bedminster, Bristol

Report by Sali

Set List: Think / Bummer in the Summer / Waiting for my Man / Season of the Witch / If I were a Carpenter / Darkness Darkness / We’re Gonna Groove / Baby Please Don’t Go / Early in the Morning / As Long as I Have You / Money Encore: Morning Dew / No Regrets / GLORIA

I’m sure there was more to it than that but I was too busy ‘getting down’ to make mental notes. Support was Catherine Tran who has an undeniably beautiful voice but there wasn’t enough volume and she needs more varied material. Her voice reminded the silent partner of All About Eve who were apparently performing in Bath tonight. He also commented on Brion’s gleaming new Laney bass rig which came into its own pretty quickly. (Who was the other one for, still wrapped in plastic in the corner?)

A quick word about the audience - now this is what I call an audience; polite, considerate, moving around to let people see, take photos, dance etc and hugely enthusiastic. well done Bristol - the most difficult venue to find but the most fun to be part of. The band came on stage looking relaxed, happy and energetic. Robert seemed to be bursting with energy and the audience response was immediate. For the shirt fans it was the red and black with red buttons (done up quite high) and - wait for it girls - the leather trousers. No wonder someone fainted during the encore but I’m getting ahead of myself. (It’s the excitement!)

The opening number was so very good bass, drums, keyboards, guitar powering away together and oh! that voice. Season of the Witch was very strong, great keyboard and guitar work from Owen and Carlysle. Funny how someone in the audience thought his name was Kevin - but Robert was quick to point out her mistake. Carpenter is an obvious favourite and a great photo opportunity. A very well equipped photographer from The Bristol Evening Post took loads. Darkness Darkness is still unbeaten for me. The magical combination of the various percussion - sensitive undercurrents, perfectly timed chimes and total power, thanks Alistair, holds it all together and drives it through its changes beautifully and Robert’s voice really does touch the soul. The very friendly American next to me (also taking rolls and rolls of film and clearly appreciating every moment of the evening) told me that Robert takes this number seriously. So do I!

A rose that fell at Robert’s feet was handed on to Owen which seemed entirely appropriate considering his contribution. Robert was offered another which he took and passed on commenting ‘She’s got twelve’. At this point I felt they all deserved a rose. There was fantastic audience participation at several points this evening, notably during We’re Gonna Groove and encouraging Robert to testify. At one point he acknowledged ‘I can hear my brothers and sisters’ which recieved a roar of approval. Robert introduced Money with the words ‘drums and bass, drums and bass’ and boy did Brion and Alistair rise to the occasion. Alistair was syncopating the syncopation several times this evening and Brion keeps alongside him without appearing to try. As for Carlyle he blistered in with some amazing fingerwork. I am beginning to get the hang of this one but its a tricky number; very exciting though.

Fantastic to hear Morning Dew. We love it and again Robert delivered it so well. His voice was on top form. He looked wonderful too, his hair is getting long again - lovely and curly and light. By this time he was very hot and probably tired but he was still giving us 100% After the opening bars of Gloria, the excitement was really beginning to build when Robert unexpectedly stopped the band and asked for some help for a girl who had fainted. Owen thoughtfully nipped over with a bottle of water for her. I hope she was OK - she looked very pale as she crossed the stage to get to fresh air. Many of us enjoyed the breeze when the door was opened for her. And then we were instantly transported back to a fantastic rendition of Gloria with audience participation to raise the roof. I could go on and on about how good this evening was. Thank you Priory of Brion for coming to Bristol. How about Devon and/or Cornwall?

article courtesy Sali, who allowed the contents of her Calling to You website to be added to ManicNirvana.com.

February 16, 2000 Junction, Cambridge

Report by Bev

Cambridge was excellent.

The crowd were a very civilized bunch compared with Oxford. They may get our support in the next boat race! We met with some great, like minded folk - one guy who had flown in from New York just for Cambridge & Bristol. Robert said he was tired - yet another trip to the second home! - and was not as talkative as usual, but he still seemed to recognize a familiar face or two! I’m glad I put my teeth in!! Glad to say the black silk shirt died a death last night and he wore blue. Who says colours aren’t important.

We had no chance in hell of getting an autograph and it seems that, as word is getting about, people are more reluctant to vacate the premises early. I was told by the Security that only people who were invited could got back stage. I tried to convince him that if they knew us, they would invite us as we were really very nice!

Kevyn was on great form and as usual shone during Darkness Darkness.No fancy floral arrangements tonight - not even the usual sprigs.

My favourite line of the evening was from our New Yorker, to anyone one stage - “So Robert - when are you coming to New York ?” Kevyn replied straight back to him - “Bloody Hell - I’ve got to get up for work in the morning”

Again, driving snow most of the way back and two days to recover from a late night!!!!

article courtesy Sali, who allowed the contents of her Calling to You website to be added to ManicNirvana.com.

Friday, February 11, 2000 The Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale

Report by Sali

Setlist
Season of the Witch / My House is not a Motel / Bummer in the Summer / Early in the Morning / Waiting for my Man / North Country Girl / If I were a Carpenter / Darkness Darkness / Think / Money / We’re Gonna Groove / Baby Please Don’t Go / - encore - As Long as I Have You / GLORIA / No Regrets / Trouble in Mind (with a hint of Hey Joe!)

Well I’ve said before that I don’t like seated venues and this was no exception. Although some people managed to get up and dance I was politely asked to sit down again, and I felt so far from the stage–OK for other contexts but it doesn’t feel right for Priory Of Brion. Perhaps a legend is beginning? But that’s my only quibble, the staff were friendly and helpful and the audience enthusiastically civilised.

Robert’s voice was both mellow and exciting - we had some wonderful wails (no pun intended), and some entertaining snippets - we almost got an anecdote about Kiss. He became camera shy half way through the evening, hiding behind the music stand, covering his face and wondering about security. Or was he just playing hard to get? He certainly missed the would be photographer when she nipped out - possibly a victim of an apparent incontinence virus.

But the music…… great! Carlysle was really on form, particularly in the ‘Money’ number which suited his style perfectly; full of surprises, and Brion’s bass line saw interesting on that one. Think! stood out for me as a powerful example of what PoB are doing. Owen Glendwr seemed very laid back while doing incredible things on the keyboard. As always the chimes on Darkness were highly significant. All in all it was not a set to sit still through, although Robert did give permission to ‘wriggle your bums on the seats’. Sorry - no roses - apparently there has been a bit of a rush on roses in the motorway services this weekend.

Roll on Bristol.

article courtesy Sali, who allowed the contents of her Calling to You website to be added to ManicNirvana.com.