Glasgow ABC2, 15 Feb 2008

[scotpaulabear]

Right, who's going to this one then? :D

[scotpaulabear]

Taken by the mighty Sir Tam Balloch yesterday...

We always knew our kid's name would appear in lights someday! :w00t: :thumbup1:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/harperspice/Abc2.jpg

[Sadfish]

Taken by the mighty Sir Tam Balloch yesterday...

We always knew our kid's name would appear in lights someday! :w00t: :thumbup1:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/harperspice/Abc2.jpg

That could be a real culture shock if you went in the wrong one......

[critch]

Had a quick note from paula saying that this is gonna sell out. Get your tickets asap!

[scotpaulabear]

(thanks for the post Critch!)

Well slight confusion there as it was the ABC's door allocation that sold out before the gig :blushing: but a lovely crowd nonetheless! Glasgow nuttiness ensued - and the new song again, hurrah! It was like old home week in there... *happy sigh*

And the only reason I'm even conscious (arguably) never mind posting is we have to jump in the car and pick up my mate who's flying in from Boston - I've already given her a bollocking about her poor timing ;) - so you ain't gonna get much sense outta me just now LOL.

Good review news: the Skinny (Glasgow/Edinburgh student mag wot loves Nick) and Altnation (I think!) were there :biggrin: and when there's more blood in my alcohol stream I'll put something together for you guys and Last.FM ;)

[fuzzytnth3]

Yea for Glasgow excellent gig n' Nick in fine form plus bonus of community singing on Love is Music medley which put a big grin on Nick's face like wot u can see in this here photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14650168@N06/2268352705/) (excellent shooting there mister rzappa btw).

My own photos will materialise once I have found all my b+w processing gear and borrowed a lab to process and print em in (don't hold your breath is what I'm saying).

As Paula already knows I completely failed at the Cluny to get any photos at all :( I should have bracketed those shots but I was a fool and thought I knew best, that'll learn me (bet it doesn't tho')

[scotpaulabear]

You may find some interesting bits and pieces from this gig (including video/audio singalongaHarpicaglasgow) here (http://www.youtube.com/user/tame65) on Youtube (or You Choob for all you Glaswegians :rofl: )

(disclaimer: not my film ;) )

[scotpaulabear]

Last.FM review here! (http://www.last.fm/user/Paulabear/journal/2008/02/18/651208/)

Nick Harper and Glasgow... they work so well together. Maybe it's because punters there are so music-mad, maybe it's because Nick's energy compliments theirs so well, or maybe it's Nick's openness and left-field sense of humour that really appeals, but Nick's Glasgow gigs are always something really special. And this from an East Coast girl, so there's no local bias!

I knew it would be a special night when I saw Nick's name writ large on the vintage movie theatre marquee of the ABC, attracting attention up and down bustling Sauchiehall Street. Call me sentimental, but it was a proud moment to see Harpic's name in lights. The first impression continued to the rest of the venue - I've been to the larger ABC many times and loved it, but hadn't been to the ABC2 since the venue opened a few years ago, and I'd forgotten how sleek and modern and spacious it was. I do love the atmosphere in King Tuts, Nick's usual Glasgow haunt, but I found the gig space in this newer venue more inviting. It was worrying that most of the crowd crashed on the back sofas for opener Gavin Moore's short but powerful set - a no-go zone by the stage isn't great for atmosphere - but they filled in the front very quickly when Nick came on stage, ready for a grand night out. And Nick didn't disappoint.

This was Nick's first gig in Scotland since his return from Everest Rocks, and he joked about the fact that we'd hear about little else the rest of the night. Not a problem - his stories, observations and introspections about his trip worked remarkably well with the more manic qualities always evident at his gigs. The crowd really took in the stories he told and gave back their approval with banter and cheers.

All of Nick's stories and charm would go for naught without the musical chops to back them up. Again, not a problem - the most heartening (and indeed frightening!) thing about this gig was the fact that I think that Nick is taking his musical talent to an even higher altitude than his record breaking gigs.

For me, the standout songs included 'Real Life', which gave the studio version even more power and majesty, 'Imaginary Friend', with an emotional introduction dedicated to his mother that hushed the crowd, and his newest song (possibly known as 'The 38') inspired by his trek and how it had changed his perception of everything around him, given an epic Western feel which suited the words completely.

And perhaps the very best was 'Headless', in the midst of the medley ending the main set, where the crowd surprised and delighted Nick by knowing and loudly singing along to pretty much every line. It never fails to warm the heart of this long-time Harper fanatic to see a room full of people united in joy at his talent, and seeing the grin on his face I think they gave him back the joy at that moment!

For one night in February Nick Harper lit up the ABC2 and a group of very happy people - you can only think that his name will be in lights many more places in the future...

[Marcie]

Great stuff, Paula and Fuzzy! Let me know if it's OK to stick your review and mister rzappa's pic up on my Virgin page.. Thanks!

http://www.virginradio.co.uk/vip/profile/Marcie1/

[fuzzytnth3]

Paula a stonking review words fail me (as you can see with my rubbish drivel :) ).

Marcie I'm not sure if Mr rzappa hangs around these here parts so best contact him via Flickr or LastFM, you may need a Flickr or LastFM account to message him. If you don't have an account and don't want to set one up I'm happy to contact him as I have accounts with both Flickr and LastFM

Cheers

[scotpaulabear]

Great stuff, Paula and Fuzzy! Let me know if it's OK to stick your review and mister rzappa's pic up on my Virgin page.. Thanks!

http://www.virginradio.co.uk/vip/profile/Marcie1/

Marcie, whore my review out at will! It's all for the cause :biggrin:

[Marcie]

I just whored your review for the cause, Paula. :)

Thanks as well Fuzzy, I think I have a Flckr account, so I try to contact him myself.

[scotpaulabear]

Absolutely freakin' exhausted and supposed to be doing a bus tour of the west of Scotland most of tomorrow *eek* but after downloading these may be 3 of my fave pics from this gig:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/harperspice/Glasgow150208/IMG_2646.jpg

The name in lights - finally!

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/harperspice/Glasgow150208/IMG_2680.jpg

Yes Nick, I am taking your picture again...

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/harperspice/Glasgow150208/IMG_2771.jpg

Celebrating a gig well done :biggrin:

I'm sure I have sharper ones but I *heart* these!