The return of China Crisis to the live stage is always an event and tonight visiting Acapela as part of their Retro Tour, they proved that they still have the skills and chops to produce a fantastic show.
Firstly though we were introduced to Norwegian Electronica and vibraphone player, Vidar Norheim for a short support set.
Crystalised
Now a Liverpool resident for over 20 years, he played a short but interesting set showing some lovely vibraphone skills while his keyboard and laptop carried his electronica. It was the perfect aperitif to what was to come. He had an enthusiastic reception to his music and it was great to hear the Vibraphone take centre stage again, literally.
It's been a while since China Crisis have been out on the road for a tour but they showed absolutely no signs of being ring rusty or complacent as part of the growing 80s music Revival Scene.
China Crisis have always been Gary Daly, Vocals (Keys on albums) & Eddie Lundon - Guitars & Vocals. Tonight they are accompanied by Jack Hymers - Keys & Vocals and Eric Animan -Sax.
Many a word has been written on why people from Liverpool seem to have an in-built comedic strata that runs through their personalities but suffice to say Gary Daly could well have had a career in stand-up comedy. He was absolutely hilarious and had the crowd in stitches all night. This is an aspect that you never saw in their hit -laden catalogue or on their glossy 80s videos. But it went down a storm in the Chapel tonight. Perhaps I should explain a bit more.
It's Never Too Late
Tonight's show, as usual at Acapela is in two halves. But in Part One - the band have chosen to delve into the lesser played songs of their back catalogue. Plucking out album tracks and B sides that many of the audience probably haven't heard before but for the fans who loved the albums it's a beautiful reveal of some brilliant songs that don't normally get their moments in the sun. Tonight they did.
During the first half, Gary took the opportunities to tell the stories behind the songs as they plucked tracks from the majority of their albums into the light. It's always a tight line to walk as to what to reveal about the show as I don't want to spoil the surprises for those yet to see it but hopefully give enough of a flavour to entice you to go and see the show for yourself. So for this half I'll do my most demure Victorian Lady and just reveal a slip of ankle.
They opened the set with the B Side of the hit Black Man Ray called It's Never Too Late, which itself could have been a hit.
As Gary told the stories related to the tracks, he really had the audience in stitches. but what shone through the first half was the quality of the songwriting and the performances, which minus drummer and bass, lost nothing in terms of emotion and on some songs even enhanced the listening experience.And it was especially pleasing to hear Michael Head and his bands The Pale Fountains and Shack get a mention. We were treated to nine songs in Part One and the band ended with a lovely version of Hands On The Wheel with Eddie Lundon taking over the lead vocals. So, no spoilers, just quality music that deserves to be heard. Especially live.
Hands On The Wheel
So - let's talk about Part 2 - the Hits & More. I would have loved to have heard the stories behind The Hits but time was against us as we would have needed a 5 hour show to get them all in - it was just wall to wall songs - all killer, no filler.
Part 2 kicks of with No More Blue Horizons from their debut album, Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms - Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain. What a title. But it's one of THE Best debut albums out there.
No More Blue Horizons
Next up we were treated to Arizona Sky (with some splendid audience participation on the backing vocals) and Best Kept Secret.
Arizona Sky
The crowd were now on their feet and the band had the audience in their hand. With songs of this quality, how could they fail? Another killer comes next in the form of Black Man Ray.
Black Man Ray
But there was ONE song that everyone had been waiting for and the band didn't disappoint as Gary, tambourine in hand, stood back and let Eddie take the lead vocals for a swirlingly gorgeous version of Wishful Thinking. You would have thought that time would have affected the harmonies on this one, not a bit of it as Gary & Eddie are in fine voice all evening.
Wishful Thinking
King In A Catholic Style & Tragedy and Mystery just turned up the temperature as the crowd were now singing their hearts out and a Chapel full of Welsh voices is a wonderous thing.
King In A Catholic Style
Tragedy & Mystery
I have only ever been left loose once on the radio. Back in 1983 when I go to take in 10 albums to my local radio station in Swansea and play 10 tracks of my choice throughout the 3 hour show. I took a copy of Difficult Shapes with me - and the song I chose just happened to be one of THE Best singles released that year - the brilliant Christian.
The guys tonight put a new twist on the song. Firstly by dimming ALL of the house lights and then inviting all of the audience to whip out their phones and switch their torches app on. It replaces the cigarette lighters of days gone by. The audience duly obliged and Gary and Eric whipped out their melodicas and gave an engaging and quite ethereal version of Christian. Which sent the crowd ecstatic.
Christian
With the 11 O'clock curfew upon we the guys managed to leave on a high and closed the evening with Sen Sports For All, the opening track of their debut album.
Seven Sports For All
So it was Mission Accomplished for the Boys From Liverpool. What a great gig it was. With lots of hits not even getting a look in tonight. A brave move which amply rewarded both the casual observer and the avid fan - of which there were quite a few. Hopefully they'll be back in The Chapel soon. And if the audience reaction was anything to go by, it can't come quick enough.
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