Well, I'm still riding high on the fantastic experience of seeing Edwyn Collins on Monday night. Songs I haven't heard in years, such as 'Blue Boy' and 'I Can't Help Myself', echo around my head, accompanied by remnants of the warm glow - a warm, emotional glow - which filled the entire hall and certainly my heart. Clichéd though it may be to say so, the love in the room was palpable.
Whilst I would like to be able to pen a proper review, other people have done so far better than I could and thus I refer you to the superb write-ups (and photos) of other dates on the Testimonial Tour by my fellow bloggers Khayem and JC. The performance in Norwich was slightly different (Edwyn's son Will didn't join him on a stage as he did elsewhere) but otherwise everyone witnessing his "last lap around the UK" has been treated to a fine selection of tunes spanning both Orange Juice and solo careers, from the beginning (kicking off with 'Falling and Laughing') to the most recent ('Knowledge' from the current album 'Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation') and some absolute gems in between.
So I won't detail what's already been said by others but just come from my personal experience - oh, what an uplifting and moving happening it was for many reasons. Such admiration, appreciation and gratitude flowed out from surely every single soul in the audience to the man himself. I'm not embarrassed to say that there were several instances when the tears just poured down my cheeks, and I'm not even sure exactly why (they came at moments when I wasn't expecting them). Maybe it really was a spiritual thing: a coming together of joyfulness and thanks for the music, and of awe for Edwyn himself too.
All due credit must go to the band too, of course; there was a brilliant rapport on stage and particular mention should be given to guitarist Patrick Ralla who'd already gifted us with his playing in support act The Hanging Stars, of whom he's a permanent member. Two solid performances in one night, and just a quick change of jacket and T-shirt in between! Talking of which, I'd really been looking forward to seeing The Hanging Stars and absolutely loved them - very much up my street, being reminiscent of the jangly, psych and country-tinged, sixties-influenced bands I listened to avidly in the '80s. It was fab to see them perform some of my favourite tracks from their back catalogue such as 'Happiness Is A Bird', 'Sweet Light' and 'Black Light Night', as well as their excellent new single, 'Sister Of The Sun'.
And then there was the audience. A sea of silver heads for the most part, and what a sweet comfort there is to be had in that, what with all our specs glinting in the lights too. The reminder that in spite of it we're all still part of the same thing, part of the tribe who tuned into John Peel under the bedclothes, and knew what it meant to buy an obscure 7" single from Small Wonder or Andy's or Revolver or wherever it was, either the local murky, musty record shop or the mail order one listed in the back pages of the NME. Although it was a seated venue (how very civilised! and we drank wine!), there were those who couldn't resist giving their enthusiastic indie moves some free range in the aisles, only to be ushered back gently by security guards half their age. Rebels!
After the gig my two companions and I - we three have been friends for over 50 years - wandered merrily back through the streets to our hotel, high on the music and solidarity with strangers. The air was still and mild, and the full moon absolutely glowed, it almost seemed symbolic - the year's first supermoon. Back in my room I drifted off to sleep around 1am feeling more uplifted than I could even have imagined, the punctuating fuzz guitar riff of 'A Girl Like You' on repeat in my head. What a glorious night. I might even have had an encounter with a ghost in the ancient hotel too, which perhaps I'll write about another time. But for now I must thank Edwyn Collins, his band, and the Hanging Stars, for inspiring me at last to actually put a new post up here!
