Review of concert from 2003-11-07: Birmingham, UK, Symphony Hall - with Steve Nieve
- Nick Ratcliffe

 

Audience Wins Over Hostile Performer

EC began the evening in angry mood, not speaking to the audience at all during the first six songs except to introduce Steve. His opening words to the audience were a good example of irony "So lovely to be back in dear Old England, and Birmingham in particular". His recent remarks arising from the perceived "cool response" to North in the UK have been well reported. The cancellation of the concert planned for Bournemouth on 8 November was another ill omen. EC had on stage both electric and acoustic guitars, perhaps feeling that what the UK audience wanted was more "rowdy rhythm". In any case, he appeared to feel he had something to prove, which was a good thing as it turned out. Any concerns that he had "gone soft" under the influence of La Krall were proved unfounded. He told the story of a recent encounter with an English music journalist, who had been concerned that EC was singing quiet ballads. According to EC, he had told the journalist "If you get me pissed off enough, I'm gonna get quieter and quieter." "What?" asked the journalist - "until you just disappear" - "No" says EC "Until you f***ing listen".

In Birmingham the audience did listen and appreciate the new ballads. Towards the very end of the evening, when EC was evidently having a lot of fun, and simply choosing not to leave the stage (4 songs for the first encore and 14 for the second encore [which lasted an hour!]) he made a speech along these lines: "We've been going round Europe telling people that you f***ing hate these songs. Your kind appreciation to these songs from North has persuaded us otherwise. We look forward to seeing you again."

It was also notable that whereas EC was throwing in sneering references to "Brummies" (natives of Birmingham) at the start of the evening, he did not do so during either set of encores.

You sometimes read of performers winning over a hostile audience. What we saw in Birmingham, was the reverse - an audience winning over a hostile performer.

Reading the set list, you may find it hard to conceive how "CCIU#4" sung off mic can lead into "Twist and Shout". At the end of CCIU#4, with all the audience on their feet, EC led the audience in several rounds of the da, da, da ending. Steve, playing keys to the far right of the keyboard to encourage the audience to sing high. Following several seconds of sustained high notes on the part of the audience, EC simply burst into "Well shake it up baby now, Twist and Shout", and we were off into a new singalong. EC was on stage for 3 hours, his voice held up well, particularly given his frequent forays off-mike. He wore a dark suit, black shirt and silver and purple patterned tie. Steve wore dark suit, dark shirt and loafers. For one song (When did I stop Dreaming) EC began singing with the microphone in his jacket pocket, only removing it after the first verse, so if your recording of this features someone fumbling with a microphone, blame Elvis....

Favourite songs from the evening - No Wonder, I Want You and Still.