Lindisfarne
liveshows series

Live at Newcastle City Hall - 23.12.76

 

CD-1

  
1. Introduction 1:16
2. No time to lose 3:12
3. Alright on the night 3:38
4. Turn a deaf ear 4:17
5. Uncle Sam 3:56
6. Down 3:28
7. Road to Kingdom Come 4:05
8. Scotch Mist 3:39
9. Winter Song 5:09
10. January Song 5:02

total running time

 37:40
 

CD-2

  
1. Lady Eleanor 4:30
2. Court in the act 3:46
3. Wake up little sister 2:45
4. Train in G Major 4:13
5. Alan in the river with flowers 3:53
6. Together Forever 2:55
7. Meet me on the corner 2:53
8. We can swing together 13:01
9. Jackhammer Blues 3:30
10. Fog on the Tyne 5:55
11. Thank You 1:51
12. Clear White Light 10:25
13. White Christmas 1:38

total running time

 61:21

The opening bars of Widor's haunting Toccata from Symphony V heralds the return of the original Lindisfarne line up following some years in the musical wilderness. They hadn't reformed; in fact they were all still involved in other projects at the time. Jack The Lad was still going strong, Jacka with his solo career had recorded a single on the EMI record label earlier in the year. Rod, fed up with groups had opted for session work, Si was touring with the 7:84 Theatre Group, and Alan had been signed up to Elton's Rocket Records.

A reunion at Newcastle City Hall on 22-23rd. December was masterminded by promoter Barry MacKay. The shows were such a success that an extra performance was organised. This was an opportunity to promote the 'Finest Hour' LP, released the previous year by their old record company.

Originally broadcast by local Metro Radio, this double CD provides an accurate snapshot of the band's 1970 -73 output. Recorded on the second day of the concerts, disc one gives us some Lindisfarne classics - including a festive version of 'Scotch Mist'. It's interesting to note how Jacka gets irritated by the constant shouting and barracking from the audience - one of the contributory factors to Alan�s unhappiness some years before which ultimately led to the band's break up.

Disc two gives us more of the same - the audience gives a child a big cheer when he comes on stage to try his hand on the drums at the beginning of 'Wake Up Little Sister'. Unfortunately it is during this song that the original tape runs out, so the track is neatly edited into two halves!
Jacka introduces �Alan In The River With Flowers� as 'Float Me Down The River' - which was the song's title as exported to the United States. What live recording would be complete without the extended version of 'We Can Swing together'? This album gives us thirteen minutes worth, the star attraction being Jacka's harmonica.

Before we are treated to a marathon rendition of 'Clear White Light', a heavy hint is dropped that there may be more reunions in the offing. It's pretty obvious that the band enjoyed this gig, and so did the audience - they gave nearly three minutes ovation, forcing the band to respond with an unscheduled acapella encore of 'White Christmas'.

Charles Orr