Magnum (Tony Clarkin Tribute) - Tuesday 21st January - O2 Forum, Kentish Town

Brief review:  A tribute concert to the much-missed Tony Clarkin (founder, guitarist and song writer for Magnum). An emotional evening, but it was great to hear Bob Catley on vocals once more, ably supported by the most recent incarnation of the rest of the band.

A fitting tribute to a rock legend.

Venue and View:  Front left, standing

Setlist
How Far Jerusalem
Lost on the Road to Eternity
Wild Swan
When We Were Younger
The Tall Ships
The Flood (Red Cloud's War)
Les Morts Dansant
Don't Wake The Lion (Too Old to Die Young)
+
Soldier of The Line
Just Like an Arrow
Need a Lot of Love
On a Storyteller's Night
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom of Madness
+
The Spirit
When the World Comes Down

Magnum - Wednesday 30th March - Islington Assembly Hall

Brief review:  I wasn't too sure what to expect from the latest incarnation of Magnum. Stalwarts Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin remain, but I felt that losing Mark Stanway and Harry James would be big gaps to fill. But to be fair, their replacements are very competent musicians. It always feels that Tony keeps a tight grip on what is performed (he writes all the songs, so I guess he gets to choose!) and I'm sometimes critical about the old favourites that are left out of the set. 

Tonight though seemed to be a good balance. Starting with the recently re-recorded "Days of No Trust". The re-recording (in my view) is vastly inferior to the original! But this live version had a bit more oomph to it and was fine. Then a run of newish material which can best be described as "generic modern day Magnum". That sounds harsh and it's not meant to. The songs are good and well performed, just maybe with no standout qualities. But perfectly listenable to! Then onto some crowd favourites including an excellent "Wild Swan". I'm never quite sure why "All England's Eyes" seems undroppable from the set, but there are enough highlights for that not to matter. Bob's vocals were better than last time around and it felt like a proper Magnum show despite the changes in personnel.

Venue and View:  Left hand side, towards the front. A bit busier than expected.

Setlist
Days of No Trust
Lost on the Road to Eternity
The Monster Roars
The Archway of Tears
Dance of the Black Tattoo
Where Are You Eden?
The Flood (Red Cloud's War)
The Day After the Night Before
Wild Swan
Les Morts Dansant
Rockin' Chair
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom of Madness
+
On a Storyteller's Night
Sacred Hour

Magnum - Friday 9th March - Islington Assembly Hall

Brief Review: It's 2018 and Magnum are still going strong. That in itself is a reason to celebrate and even if stalwart Mark Stanway and recent collaborator Harry James have moved on, this evening demonstrated the unique appeal of the band from the Black Country. Bob Catley's vocals were better than the last few tours and Tony Clarkin's guitar as effortlessly brilliant as always. Add in the energy that Al Barrow brings to the party and it was clear that the band and crowd were enjoying themselves.

For me, it was a slightly slow burner, but by the end, the whole venue was a sea of swaying arms and mass sing-a-longs. The only downside was the appearance half way through of a greasy haired idiot in front of us who's air punching and headbanging seemed to demand an exclusion zone around him. We always seem to pick them!

Setlist
When We Were Younger
Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies
Lost on the Road to Eternity
Crazy Old Mothers
Without Love
Your Dreams Won't Die
Peaches and Cream
How Far Jerusalem
Les Morts Dansant
Show Me Your Hands
Twelve Men Wise and Just
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Don't Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)
+
The Spirit
When the World Comes Down

Magnum - Tuesday 6th December - Brighton Concorde 2

Thanks to the incompetence of Southern Rail and their inability to engage with their staff, we couldn't risk the train to Brighton on the basis we may not get home on a strike day (nice of Thameslink - same parent company - to cancel so many of their trains with no explanation too). That meant a drive to the south coast and a battle with the "pay online only" parking challenges around the Concorde 2 venue.

Magnum were on a second mini-leg to their recent tour (5 nights) and I enjoyed this more than the London show. Decent view and sound - with a small number of set changes to accommodate "Lonely Night" from the forthcoming ballads compilation. Despite slightly too much new material still, the band were on good form - Bob's vocals standing up well and Tony's guitar impressive as always. Harry, Mark and Al were provided the expected level of expertise behind them.

News in the car on the way home that our train had indeed been cancelled vindicated our decision to drive!

Setlist
Soldier of the Line
On a Storyteller's Night
Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies
Freedom Day
Dance of the Black Tattoo
Crazy Old Mothers
Blood Red Laughter
Your Dreams Won't Die
How Far Jerusalem
Unwritten Sacrifice
Twelve Men Wise and Just
Les Morts Dansant
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom of Madness
+
Lonely Night
When the World Comes Down

[PS - 2 days later brings the shock news that keyboard maestro Mark Stanway has quit the band. Reasons not clear, although it appears that there must have been a massive falling out to leave after 36 years with 3 dates only to go. In which case that is a real shame]

Magnum - Friday 13th May - Islington Assembly Hall

A quick search back through this blog will show that I have been to see Magnum a lot of times. However, I was aware that it had been ages since I was really close to the front, so determined to put that right and see Tony Clarkin's fine playing up close, we timed our arrival well and got to around the 2nd/3rd row spot on the right hand side.

Credit should be given to the band for always showcasing their new material - the issue that creates of course is a lack of time for some of the older classics. Some seem more undroppable than others and it surprises me that "Soldier Of The Line" and "All England's Eyes" stay in at the expense of say "Sacred Hour" or "Just Like An Arrow". Interestingly on this tour there is no space for any material from their best selling album "Wings of Heaven".

The new album this time around  - 'Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies' is OK - maybe not quite up to the standard of the last 2 or 3, but functional none the less. This meant the show ranked for me as "very good" rather than exceptional. Still, good fun nonetheless.

Setlist
Soldier Of The Line
On A Storyteller's Night
Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies
Freedom Day
Dance Of The Black Tattoo
Crazy Old Mothers
Blood Red Laughter
Your Dreams Won't Die
How Far Jerusalem
Unwritten Sacrifice
Twelve Men Wise and Just
Les Morts Dansant
All England's Eyes
Princess In Rags (The Cult)
Vigilante
+
The Spirit
Kingdom Of Madness

Magnum - Sunday 4th May - Islington Assembly Hall

A new venue for Magnum - The Assembly Hall in Islington. As you know, I'm quite a fan of much of the band's recent output, but the new album - "Escape From the Shadow Garden" is a bit of a slow burner for me.

The fact the show featured quite a bit of new material made me a bit worried, but I shouldn't have. Bob's vocals were good, the band as excellent as ever and the crowd enthused. A minor criticism is that some songs were a bit over-extended, but you really can't go wrong with ta band of this quality.

Setlist
Live 'til You Die
Black Skies
Freedom Day
Dance of the Black Tattoo
Blood Red Laughter
Unwritten Sacrifice
How Far Jerusalem
Les Morts Dansants
Falling for the Big Plan
The Spirit
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom of Madness
+
Too Many Clowns
Sacred Hour

Magnum - Thursday 29th November - Islington Academy

Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin keep the nightlight burning

A trip to Islington for the 2nd week running, this time to the Academy to see Magnum. The backstreets of Islington appear be a haven for attractive Eastern European bar staff and this was again the case this evening.

We made sure however, that we arrived in good time at the venue (last time Magnum were here it was so packed we barely got through the door) and secured our regular spot for this venue on the right hand side with a decent view. The setlist for this door has been absolutely static and at first glance may appear slightly biased toward newer material, but from first song to last, the band were at their captivating best. It helps that their last couple of albums have been top notch too.

Bob Catley continues to enthral the audience with the enthusiasm of a man have his age (and full credit for the first time I have ever heard the words "Come on Islington!"), whilst Tony Clarkin's guitar playing is first rate and seemingly effortless. Add in the wonderful Harry James, Mark Stanway and Al Barrow and this is a top rate band. We were slightly puzzled with what could be needed on Mark Stanways laptop/Mac Airbook - not sure they use too much in the way of pre-recorded loops, but whatever issues the roadie was trying to sort didn't appear to affect the sound.

Predictable highlights were "Les Morts Dansant", "The Spirit" and "Vigilante" plus a relatively rare outing for "Day Of No Trust". Cracking stuff.

Richard and I were speculating that over the course of 25 years of watching Magnum, we have never heard them play a cover version live. Not withstanding that they did things like "Runaway Sue" earlier in their career, what other bands of stature can you say that for? A colleague put forward Bad Sabbath as a possibility - if anyone knows of any more or can correct us re: Magnum, I'd be interested to hear!

PS Another "Ling" point easily collected.

Setlist
All The Dreamers
When We Were Younger
Blood Red Laughter
Wild Angels
Brand New Morning
How Far Jerusalem
The Flood
Les Morts Dansant
The Spirit
Dance Of The Black Tattoo
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom Of Madness
+
See How They Fall
Rockin' Chair
Days Of No Trust

Magnum - Cambridge Junction - Thursday 1st December

Into December and the start of a run of gigs. New venue for me - The Junction in Cambridge meant a trip by train from Kings Cross - in my view London's worst railway terminus by some distance. Time for a couple of pubs in Cambridge - not great apart from the spot of a circular pool table. Unfortunately, I lost Richard and I's "Cambridgeshire Open" on a regular pool table - very poor indeed.

Venue itself was pretty good. Small to allow a decent view and with the bonus of Lowenbrau on draught... happy days!

The start time meant that we would have to miss the encore in order to get the train home (and avoid 3 night buses), but what we saw was really good - including one new song from the new "Evolution" CD.

Our change for the final Tube at Severn Sisters was nearly scuppered by travelling very slowly through White Hart Lane (Unpleasant enough in daylight, let alone after midnight!) and a Usain Bolt type effort to run through the interchange and down the escalator. The train was there a minute later. Phew!

Setlist
Back to Earth
When We Were Younger
Wild Angels
Brand New Morning
How Far Jerusalem
Spin Like A Wheel
The Fall
Freedom Day
Les Morts Dansant
Black Skies
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
+
Kingdom Of Madness
On A Storytellers Night

Magnum - Saturday 30th April - Shepherd’s Bush Empire

It's fair to say I wasn't sure about this in advance. In my opinion the latest Magnum album is their weakest for ages. Luckily for me, the set featured only the best couple of songs, plus some old favourites and some newer "goodies". Good to see the floor fairly full and the band enjoying themselves. I still believe the future is bright for Magnum.. They are too good for it not to be!

PS "Ling Alert" number 2, as expected!

Setlist
Back to Earth
When We Were Younger
Wild Angels
Brand New Morning
How Far Jerusalem
Spin Like A Wheel
Les Morts Dansant
The Moonking
Freedom Day
Black Skies
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Kingdom Of Madness
+
Vigilante
On A Storyteller's Night

Magnum - Friday 6th November - O2 Academy, Islington

Rammed, rammed rammed!

Yep, it was packed.. could barely get through the door. Once we did (upsetting several people), we squeezed over to the bar (where you could actually breathe and get served!). The show was good (complete setlist change) and featured many songs from the excellent "Into The Valley of The Moonking" album (rubbish title, great music!). Only complaint (besides the crush) was that the show could have been a bit longer.

We walked up past the Union Chapel on the way out. Attempted to gate-crash the last few minutes of the show - I've even forgotten the artists name (I know it's someone Richard likes!) Blagged our way in through an exit, but got in just as she'd left the stage. Unfortunately, no encore, but a nice try!

Oh and I should also mention the torrential rain (we got soaked!) and the very pleasant delights of the Baverian Brewhouse near Old Street.

Setlist
Cry To Yourself
Take Me To The Edge
Brand New Morning
The Moon King
When We Were Younger
No One Knows His Name
Dragons Are Real
A Face In The Crowd
We All Run
Les Morts Dansant
All My Bridges
All Englands Eyes
Vigilante
+
Don't Wake The Lion
The Kingdom Of Madness

Photo - ALX PIX http://www.flickr.com/photos/alxpix/4237450817/

Magnum - Astoria - Thursday 8th December

Earlier in the year Magnum celebrated the 20th Anniversary of release of the "On A Storytellers Night" album with a couple of shows showcasing the entire album. The show at the Astoria in April was packed and filmed for a DVD - "Livin' The Dream" which is worth buying. Judging by the size of the audience, maybe going for a repeat performance so soon was a mistake - the venue was barely half full. Still, that doesn't detract from some excellent music, with the delights of Tony Clarkin's song writing and under-rated guitar playing. Something similar for "Vigilante" next year maybe? 

The early kick-out from the Astoria meant we were able to visit a couple of bars. Garlic and Shots was its normal gothic-self and for a bit of variety we followed this up with a "camp" half in the Admiral Duncan (a famous gay pub in Soho) - some interesting "people watching" - complete with pink Christmas Trees! Then on to the Intrepid Fox for a bit of beer 'n' metal!

Setlist

Brand New Morning

Back Street Kid

Need a Lot of Love

Soldier of the Line

We All Run

Vigilante

Kingdom of Madness

Keyboard & Guitar Intro

Sacred Hour

+

How Far Jerusalem

Just Like an Arrow

On a Storyteller's Night

Before First Light

Les morts dansant

Endless Love

Two Hearts

Steal Your Heart

All England's Eyes

+

The Last Dance