[Heeplist] Heep at Holmirth Part 1

[Stan From Home]

Thanks for the detailed review, good to hear info on Davey!
Stan

> On Feb 9, 2014, at 6:31 PM, BARNES IAN <i.barnes3 at ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> *Holmfirth 7th February 2014*
> 
> 
> 
> As usual I tend to write more of a story of my Heep experience rather than
> an out and out review so if you have the time here is that story.
> 
> As many know I am out of work and as luck would have it I had to sign on at
> 11 40.  I was pressed for time as my train was to leave at 12 03.  I
> arrived early hoping to be seen early.  I was asked to sit at the entrance
> end of the building, I asked the lady telling me this 'are you sure as I
> always go the far end of the building'.  I think you can guess the rest!  I
> was being called at the far end as usual but being at the opposite end of
> the building I couldn't hear my name.  After causing a bit of a fuss I was
> eventually told to go down the far end and someone would see asap. They did
> apologise but it was a bad start to a potentially great day.
> 
> Obviously I had missed the train that I had planned to get.  This would
> have been two trains followed by a bus to Holmfirth.  Luckily I had a
> backup plan which was a little later and an extra train.  To cut a long
> story a little shorter the second train for whatever reason was terminated
> a stop earlier than scheduled, at least there was a train waiting to
> continue to the desired station but after we had all transferred trains it
> looked as if I would miss my train to Huddersfield.  We eventually arrived
> on platform 13 at Manchester 4 minutes before this final train but this was
> on platform 1 as far away as you could get.  Not to stretch your
> imaginations too far it was probably a funny sight to see someone of my
> considerable weight semi jogging to make this train.  Luckily a lady was in
> front of me and was heading speedily for the same train; the guard was
> ready to wave his flag and could see us coming down the platform.  Luckily
> my pacemaker lol and I made it by literally seconds.  The train was moving
> before I had chance to sit down.  Sun was belting through the window and
> after my rush I was boiling up but happy I'd made my final train.  It was
> easy to find the bus station after arriving in Huddersfield and I again
> just made my planned bus by the skin of my teeth.
> 
> I arrived just before 3pm and as I couldn't check in until 3pm I decided to
> see if I could find Sid's cafe which is a cafe used in a 35 year long
> running sitcom filmed in Holmfirth about a bunch of old friends daily life
> named Last of the Summer Wine.  A dear friend who has terminal cancer loves
> this programme so I thought I'd find the cafe and post a photo on Facebook
> for him.  Luckily I crossed the main road and to my surprise it was there
> in front of me.  I took that photo with my phone and sent it to Facebook.  I
> looked back across the road to see a few Heep fans going into the pub/hotel
> so decided I'd get my key as it was just past 3pm now.  As I approached the
> door there was Dougie the Mega stood in the doorway, I called him a bastard
> as he'd tricked me the day before by telling me he couldn't make it,
> typical Dougie lol. He'd just had a beer with Mick, Davey and I think
> Bernie so he was a happy bunny, especially with Mick paying lol.
> 
> I got my key and entered the bar to see Kev and Yvonne who many will
> know.  Lovely
> couple who follow Heep all over Europe.  It was great to meet them again so
> I went to the bar, got myself double spiced rum and joined them for a chat.
> Dougie then joined us too.  Just minutes later peter Kenyon joined us.
> Peter was Trevor's best friend and did a reading at his funeral.  They were
> very close.  I knew who he was but had never met him so introduced myself,
> he knew me from Facebook and the forum from years past.  Peter who was with
> his lovely fiancé Tracy was a bit irritated at this point because the
> venues security wouldn't let Peter into the venue even though he was on
> Mick's guest list.  I think Scampi finally sorted things out and a little
> later Peter returned with stories and memories of Trevor.  It was nice and
> fitting as this was in the same county as Trevor lived even though it was
> on the opposite side of the county.  Pete Wharton had now arrived and
> joined us, I love Pete he's a great guy. More stories, memories etc
> continued as did the spiced rum.  I'm not sure on the timescales but Elina
> from Holland and Joe Keenan joined us.  I had met both before but only for
> a very short period of time.  Elina is lovely and I enjoyed talking with
> her for quite some time.  Mike Taylor arrived later with his niece and
> nephews who live about 20 minutes away from the venue.  It's always a
> pleasure to meet Mike, such a happy friendly guy even when showing me
> photos of when Man City recently beat my football team Blackburn Rovers.  We
> Brits love to wind each other up lol.  Another well known Heep couple
> joined us and I must apologise for never being able to remember their names.
> Many had eaten by now and time moved on with more Heep talk, general
> catching up and more spiced rum.  I was beginning to feel a little
> intoxicated but it was a nice feeling with the thought of Heep and superb
> company.  Time was moving on and we were all happy to miss the support
> band, as good as Virgil and the Accelerators are we had all seen them
> before.  Basically time with friends is much better and more valued.  Damian
> had now turned up, lovely guy who often posts on the list.  We chatted and
> mingled and generally had a great time.  The pub wasn't as full as previous
> visits so we were a little worried that the venue wouldn't be full.  The
> night previous hadn't been the best by all accounts with a poor turnout.  We
> eventually set off to the venue which is about a 10 second walk from
> leaving the pub, yes that close.
> 
> We entered the venue and I was delighted to see that we needn't have
> worried; the place was full or very close to it.  The support band had
> posted it was a sell-out on Facebook so that would be 500 inside this
> wonderfully small compact old picture house.  This is the third time Heep
> had visited this venue in just over 5 years.  They love it as the sound is
> incredible and the atmosphere electric on a Friday night.  I remember
> Christos encouraging fans to go to Holmfirth for the first time in 2008 as
> he'd worked the venue before and said the acoustics were the best. We got
> there about 10 minutes before Heep came on stage.  Heep got the usual
> rapturous welcome and they thundered into Against The Odds.  They were loud
> powerful but no distortion.  The sound was spot on with all instruments
> clearly audible as was Bernie.  Overload followed and I turned my attention
> to Davey to watch him for the very first time.  The guy is classy and
> accurate.  I met John Jowitt last year in Manchester who was a lovely guy
> and a great player but it was clear Davey fits Heep better than John.
> Musically
> both great but Davey is already putting his own personality into place
> within the band.  I've watched many YouTube clips of Davey and you can see
> the extra confidence he now has and how his stage presence has come on
> leaps and bounds. Davey has also added some party tricks to his act and you
> can tell that he gets on with the rest of the guys.  Davey stands on the
> edge of Russell's kit basically in a line with Mick at times and constantly
> interacts with Phil.  He now just doesn't play with Heep he plays as a part
> of Heep.  His style is closer to Trevor's than John's was but definitely
> different.  Davey can play and his fingers moving at pace were a joy to
> watch, his rhythm and timing is spot on.  Trevor was so fast his fingers
> were a blur; I doubt anyone could match Trevor's style or standing but
> Davey is a first class addition and a credit to Heep's legacy of great
> bassists. A special mention for Phil who continues to hit every note and
> shines with his prominent part on Overload, I feel Phil doesn't always get
> enough mentions throughout reviews and I'm as guilty of that fact.  I
> suppose because he's so perfect there's no need to mention him that much as
> we all know his excellence and contribution.  Fact is Phil is awesome and
> has mastered his performance to excel and delight each performance. This
> was the usual set list from the past 2 years with no surprises, in theory
> this could be seen as a negative but any such thoughts vanish instantly
> when such a performance unfolds in front of your eyes. Next was Travellers
> in Time which always goes down a storm.  Russell can really belt those
> skins during this one.  We then travelled through the 70's with awesome
> performances of Sunrise and the cloud pleasing sing a long Stealin'.  Bernie
> was sensational and hit every note with ease.  You have to admire a guy who
> can put on a show like this, yes it's an act he's perfected over the years
> and many of us know the next word he will say but he always adds something
> new and relevant to that particular crowd, venue or atmosphere.  It was
> clear that Bernie loved the crowd's interaction and adoration. It was at
> this point I noticed Davey's voice coming through and working well with
> Mick's higher tones.  It was a worry of mine regarding harmonies but Davey
> has obviously been working on that and is doing a great job to add quality
> to that side of his performance.  His voice is relatively deep, not like
> Lee Kerslake but deep enough to enhance Heep's sound.  Whilst I'm back on
> Davey I love how he's created his own party tricks and moves on stage.  Davey
> also does an upward look and points to the Heaven's as a tribute to Trevor.
> I saw it and thought that might be the case, later I got to confirm this.  Our
> first visit to the Into the Wild album rolled out with I'm Ready executed
> and received to perfection.  Then to the realms of Between Two Worlds,
> probably the first time I'd looked over to Mick for a continued period.  By
> the way I was standing with Pete and Mike in front of Davey.  Approx 4 or 5
> deep from the stage, I'm a short ass and had much taller fans in front of
> me so it was a little struggle to see Mick.  It was a struggle worthwhile
> as Mick standing there happy as always eased through BTW with a classy
> performance and the usual party tricks.  Mick is so genuine and his
> personality shines and flows through the audience, you can feel his joy
> knowing the audience is fully in sync with the band. The power is awesome
> on this song and heightens to a rumble that vibrates through your body
> without any loss in quality.  This rumble would return and be surpassed
> later.  Back to the ITW album and Russell scares you to death as he pounds
> the opening beat for Nail On The Head.  Always a song that you think could
> be replaced but by the end of it such thoughts have vanished as the steady
> increase of beat and volume sneaks up on you until Bernie's final Yeah! We
> move onto my favourite ITW track and a favourite full stop, it's the title
> track and Davey and Russell really stand out on this one beating a rhythm
> Balloo bear would have found irresistible.  I just love the chorus building
> and building until Russell attempts to break his kit. In fact at one point
> Russell did manage this and there was a slight delay while the techs
> replaced a symbol.  He's amazing to watch.  Another step back in time to
> the first Heep song I knowingly ever heard and the reason I'm writing this
> today.  Gypsy is the song and without hearing that one day on an album a
> childhood friend was throwing in the bin I doubt I would have ever
> discovered Heep.  This holds a very special place in my heart and Heep
> nailed this tonight, such power and hard riffs had the crowd to a new time
> high.  What a performance!  As usual Gypsy flows straight into the
> sensational Look at Yourself. A fantastic song made even better with the
> reasonably new extended ending with Mick showing off his undoubted skills
> in front of a crowd willing to soak up the ever increasing beat and volume.
> Davey really does a great job on this track and I'm sure Trevor would have
> been smiling down with approval as Davey succeeded to add stamp his own
> mark blending beautifully with Mick who'd took centre stage with Davey at
> Russell's level in behind Mick increasing the rhythm with the help of an
> eager Russell who was intent to lift off before the crescendo.  The crowd
> went berserk at the end of this track and I suspect I wasn't the only one
> glad of a breather to remove the vibration in my head after such a great
> jam.  That breather came in the form of the crowd pleasing Lady in Black.  We
> all say it's not our favourite but I bet we all sing along happily and
> loudly.  Bernie usually has to prompt the crowd to sing louder but no need
> on this evening, they just sang their hearts out and Bernie was clearly
> delighted.  Whether it's the venue, a Friday night or the alcohol consumed
> this was a special performance from band and crowd alike.  Bernie milked
> the applause at the end and was joined by all band members to take in the
> adoration.  Heep disappeared briefly off stage whilst the crowd clapped and
> chanted for their return, obviously Heep obliged and we then prepared for
> Free n Easy.  Mick thanked the crowd for coming and promoted the gig at
> Koko's in March for the live recording.  He also stated that they should
> have recorded this show in Holmfirth, tongue in cheek or not it would have
> made a fantastic DVD.  A small venue with a sold out crowd eager for
> quality rock music would have been the ideal backdrop for a video
> shoot.  Anyway
> back to the music, Mick invited the girls up and maybe half a dozen
> immediately came up on stage including my beautiful friends Yvonne and
> Elina.  Mick and Bernie then prompted some young girls who were front
> centre to come up and they duly obliged making the small stage full and
> ready to rock.  Heep played Free n Easy fast and hard and the girls did it
> more than justice.  A massive cheer went up at the end for the band and the
> girls before Heep attacked Easy Livin' which had everyone rocking.  Bernie
> even prompted the crowd to sing the higher pitched middle section and again
> the crowd didn't disappoint. Heep had conquered Holmfirth again and
> deserved the rapturous applause coming their way.  Davey, Russell and Phil
> shook hands with the front rows and it was clear the band had really
> enjoyed the show as did the delighted audience.  Land of Hope and Glory
> faded into the night as did Heep for I'm sure a well deserved drink and
> some justified self satisfaction.
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