From budsbabe:

 

Just checking in to say that the Vanguard gig of 3rd Jan was a great night. It was a packed house and the crowd were particularly appreciative of the band's efforts. There was not a heckler to be seen or heard, the folks seemed more than usually amenable to "shaking their asses" down the front and even stayed there during a couple of the slower numbers (MHMH and Breathless etc.) before the rockers took over again (Folsom, Another Girl, Another Planet etc.). I think this response was particularly satisfying for the band, especially Russell. He just loves to get folks all het up and involved in the excitement of the music.

 

I shared a table with Lynda - who will no doubt be far more able to accurately report on the night's events than me (thanks Lynda - we have you to rely on to report on all the bits my tired brain can't remember!) And also made a new pal in a Sydney gal, who only managed to get a ticket at the last minute but whom I am sure ended up having a better night than she ever expected she would.

 

The venue had a merchandise corner selling copies of the 12 track MHMH CD, along with the other CDs of the first incarnation of TOFOG and the Texas DVD. So all those folks who are travelling out to the later gigs will be able to get a copy of this for themselves (and indeed for any friends who can't make the shows!)

 

After a lovely dinner of salmon with hollandaise sauce and poached pears for dessert, not to mention 2 or 3 G&Ts, I was ready to see the show. The opening act was a very unusual one, the musician (whose name I am afraid escapes me) had opened for the band before. I really don't know how to describe his particular talent but will say he was amusing and entertaining (although maybe not so much so if your name was Julie!)

 

Set list in no particular order...... all the songs from the MHMH CD, Swept Away Bayou, What You Want Me To Forget, Things Have Got To Change, Memorial Day, Testify, Breathless, Another Girl Another Planet, Folsom, Jock Stewart, Molly Malone and the opener was was Darby's Castle, which was the track the band have recorded for the Kris K tribute album.

 

In the run up to Mickey, the guys again did a bit of Walk on the Wild Side and then faded smoothly into Mickey itself. The underwear of Juliette Prowse played a starring role in the "Mickey story" tonight. 'Nuff said!

 

Only two small hiccups as far as my great enjoyment of this evening went. I confess I wasn't keen on the new organ-style opening to One Good Year but maybe it will grow on me. Breathless is fast becoming one of my faves but there seemed to be a bit of a problem with the key when the band performed it last night. (But I am assured it will be hunky dory next week. Stewie - confession is good for the soul, mate. ha! ha!)

 

Testify was superb - just smokin'!! Every time I hear that one it gets better. I think it was Memorial Day (but I could be wrong) where Stewie had to undergo his ritual ordeal this time around. And I can report that he took it like a man and didn't miss a note, despite the ciggie Russell popped in his ear! Stew was proud as Punch that he managed to complete his difficult solo without missing a beart. Kudos to him!! (Although I dread to think what his next trial might be. This is becoming a challenge. *grin*)

 

One song I wasn't expecting to like so much was Another Girl Another Planet. Russell shared with us that this song is associated with a particularly sweet memory for him..... I'd only heard the TOFOG version once before in Le Thor but boy, did they almost bring the house down with this one. Love it!! The rousing finale was of course Molly Malone and by this time the room was on it's feet and singing along. I was quite surprised at the number of guys who came down to dance at the front. Maybe the ratio of the crowd dynamic for TOFOG shows is gradually changing?

 

That Preacher fella was in fine fettle and his thematic for last night was a verrrrry interesting one. I think he said it was a thing called oral sex which is - as all the good Catholic girls among us (myself included) - know, when you just talk... and talk... and talk... about it, right? *wink*

 

And speaking of The Preacher (or was it that other guy, his alter-ego?) I have to thank him for a lovely compliment when (while talking about his audiences) he pointed me out from the stage and said  "This young lady has come from overseas". I think I owe a nice donation to the Church of the Holy Souls of the Vanguard for that one. *grin*

 

Anyhoo... a very big thank you to Russell, Dean, Bones - the man with no name *wink*, Stu, Stew and of course the lovely Dave Kelly, my chivalrous knight of the road. Not forgetting the lovely Keith or The Sultan of course.

 

Last night really rocked. Anyone who's coming over for the later gigs - prepare to have a shitload of fun. The constantly evolving music coupled with such unabashed enthusiasm in it's delivery, is what makes this revamped band as entertaining a concert ticket as any I've purchased. As I said in a passing convo last night, there are worse things than enthusiasm........ right?