The Animals
Featuring Spencer Davis
Beaufort Theatre 5th September 2008
I'm excited
writing this review, for it gives me an opportunity to remember one of
finest nights entertainment I've had in many a year. Songs played with
passion and love and more importantly I knew every track, as did the
capacity crowd.
The acoustic almost folk style of support Amy Barton puzzled some of the
faithful, though her accomplished songs were well received. My
particular favourite being Too Young For The Blues, with its references
to discovering Van Morrison and long days 'relaxing', hitting home for
me and other younger members of the audience. Closing her set with the
inspired selection of John Denver's Leaving On A Jet Plane meant that in
the Interval Bar, hardened Blues fans were talking about the set and
singing snippets from the country classic.
The lights dimmed, the Animals came on to thunderous applause, the first
few bars of Baby Let Me Take You Home and the crowd clapping in time,
then Peter Barton (Vocals and Bass) announced they were 'taking you back
to the beginning, Newcastle Workingmen's Clubs 1964.' Barton dressed in
a leather motorcycle jacket gave a further nod to the Sixties by
performing barefoot a la Sandie Shaw. After introducing the rest of the
band John Steele (original drummer from the band), Micky Gallagher (Alan
Price's replacement and Punk's organist in chief after working with The
Clash and Dury's Blockheads) and prolific guitarist Johnny 'Guitar'
Williamson, the band launched into It's My Life which was dedicated to
absent friends Chas Chandler and Dave Rowberry. Then a return to the
bands R n' B roots with Screamin' Jay Hawkins 'Put A Spell On You' and
Jimmy Reed's 'Bright Lights, Big City,' both of which contained extended
workouts from Williamson and Gallagher respectively.
Then the unmistakable opening chords of 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'
which prompted a mass sing-along which continued into 'I'm Crying.'
John Steel then took the mic and after a great anecdote of how Mickey
joined the band after Alan Price's had received 'the first royalties for
That song,' all 'water under the bridge now' and Micky started the intro
of Sam Cooke's 'Bring It All Home,' swiftly followed the bands 1966 hit
Don't Bring Me Down. Peter then mentioned about how 'We Gotta Get Out Of
This Place' was No.1 on American forces radio for three years during the
Vietnam War, then dedicating the song to soldiers fighting everywhere
the band playing the track which saw the first dancers of the evening.
After the heady nostalgia of that track came the entrance of Spencer
Davis, looking far more sprightly than anyone of his age has a right to
look (must have visited Robert Johnson Crossroad's), I'm A Man was
swiftly followed by Every Little Bit Hurt's and R n' B classic Trouble
In Mind. American based Welshman Davis then dedicated 'Somebody Help Me'
to George Bush. Spencer then played Harmonica on the Animals new track,
'Justify My Life' (written by Williamson, Baron and Steel) which was
enthusiastically received because it was dedicated to all who had
watched the band's performance at the Abertillery Blues Festival earlier
this year. Spencer then told the story of how after Steve Winwood left
to form Traffic and Eddie Hardin replaced him, and of the single they
released that went 'Double Lead in Albania' and fell into obscurity
before the B side was recorded by the Allman Brothers and sold 6 Million
copies, which was handy for alimony payments, 'Dont Want You No More'
was followed by the double whammy of 'Keep On Running' and 'Gimme Some
Lovin' which had the crowd dancing, clapping and singing along.
Fantastic stuff and even when the band put down their instruments
everyone knew there was more to come; after all we hadn't heard THAT
song yet.
John Steel came from behind his kit and explained how during a break in
a tour 'The House' was recorded in one take and took 10 minutes and cost
about 'Ten Bob,' Then it came in all it's glory, 'The House Of The
Rising Sun' belted out to the mass approval of the gathering. The band
came off the stage and signed everything that was thrust at them; I
already had an appointment with Spencer after interviewing him the
previous morning on BRFM so I was ushered behind the scenes. It was
surreal being backstage with all these musical legends, Spencer signed
his new album 'So Far'(a great collection of memories of Wales, which
also includes a duet with Dusty Springfield ) with the proper spelling
of his name, Davies so mine is signed the Welsh way (with an e).
An incredible two hours, I'm not usually a big fan of retro tours but
tonight everything worked. Who says Nostalgia isn't what it used to be?
There were over three hundred completely satisfied souls on Friday who
seemed to be having the time of their lives. My companions Claire and
Sylvie were totally overwhelmed, if ever you see a poster for The
Animals you will not be disappointed that Eric Burdon is not with them,
Peter Barton is tremendous as a replacement. My only problem with the
night is that I had not researched more, and then I could have taken my
Clash stuff to be signed by Micky Gallagher.
