Roy Wood's Army : Sands Centre, Carlisle, U.K. - 30th November 2001
'Mature Wood An Evergreen Joy'
Roy Wood, Sands Centre, Carlisle - 30th November 2001
"If good will and affection had calories, it would be no surprise that Roy Wood is looking a little podgy these days. The rock and roll hedonism of his gigs in the Sixties or Seventies has been replaced with a comfy family ambience and sing-a-long audience participation.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, and inevitable given that Roy and his long-term fans have all grown older and wiser, but it's maybe not quite what you might reasonably have anticipated from a Roy Wood gig.
His 'ferociously wild live set' (according to Roy's website) has settled into an easier-going rhythm and blues style, with an extremely accomplished brass section and unwavering backing singers, which made well-known songs such as Fire Brigade, Flowers In The Rain, Angel Fingers and California Man even more familiar. This is ideal music to clap, stamp and join in with - which nearly everyone at the Sands did, with enthusiasm.
It was reassuring to hear how good his voice and guitar skills still are. His new material, notably House Of Love, was the most interesting, mainly because it had a stronger rock and roll feeling to it. Of course, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, his closing number, was the one that brought the house down.
Roy and his band's professionalism contrasted with that of the support act the Gobstoppers. Musically and acoustically they weren't tight enough, and unlike the codpiece and legging-wearing band members, their glam-rock covers were thin.
The standing ovation that Roy received was as much for the man as his music. He's still a legend. Just a more approachable one."
Kate Rees - (c) News & Star Newspapers 2001
'Mature Wood An Evergreen Joy'
Roy Wood, Sands Centre, Carlisle - 30th November 2001
"If good will and affection had calories, it would be no surprise that Roy Wood is looking a little podgy these days. The rock and roll hedonism of his gigs in the Sixties or Seventies has been replaced with a comfy family ambience and sing-a-long audience participation.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, and inevitable given that Roy and his long-term fans have all grown older and wiser, but it's maybe not quite what you might reasonably have anticipated from a Roy Wood gig.
His 'ferociously wild live set' (according to Roy's website) has settled into an easier-going rhythm and blues style, with an extremely accomplished brass section and unwavering backing singers, which made well-known songs such as Fire Brigade, Flowers In The Rain, Angel Fingers and California Man even more familiar. This is ideal music to clap, stamp and join in with - which nearly everyone at the Sands did, with enthusiasm.
It was reassuring to hear how good his voice and guitar skills still are. His new material, notably House Of Love, was the most interesting, mainly because it had a stronger rock and roll feeling to it. Of course, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, his closing number, was the one that brought the house down.
Roy and his band's professionalism contrasted with that of the support act the Gobstoppers. Musically and acoustically they weren't tight enough, and unlike the codpiece and legging-wearing band members, their glam-rock covers were thin.
The standing ovation that Roy received was as much for the man as his music. He's still a legend. Just a more approachable one."
Kate Rees - (c) News & Star Newspapers 2001