The Go-Betweens: Glasgow, The Garage, 6th June 1997

The Go-Betweens only Scottish date on this tour was at the Glasgow Garage,
Friday 6 June. "What happened Al?", I hear you ask "Was Bobby looking
sharp? Has Grant lost anymore hair? Did they play (fill in name of
favourite track)?"

Read on gentle Tallulahite.

Firstly it was nice to meet some of the list members in the bar, putting
faces to names and all that. It sounded as if everyone had a great time. I
hope Anthea didn't drag you 'round too many bars :)

The band came on pretty early, Robert dressed in an immaculate cream suit,
white shirt and black tie.   He kept this on (suit buttoned up) all the way
through, he must have been barbecued. Grant was a little more casual, with
white t-shirt and jeans.

At this point I would like to say that I have a terrible memory at the best
of times and especially when I am somewhat the worse for drink, like last
night. So apologies for mistakes - someone else can post the set-list!

Basically they launched into a swathe of classics largely from 16LL, and
Liberty Belle. The band most certainly had rehearsed and sounded great.
Highlights were Spring Rain, Head Full of Steam, Love Goes On...

When the band were playing a fantastic version of Right Here I noticed that
Grant had a huge grin on his face. I looked around and so did everyone in
the audience. I also had a big grin. It was that kind of night, everyone
was just so happy it was hilarious.

Grant seemed quite touched that people knew 'This Girl Black Girl' and also
congratulated us on our singing - and they threw in a few accapella breaks
to help us out. Robert dedicated Lee Remick to a guy with a cream suit the
same as his. He also had a girl in the front row help look after his
harmonica during Love Is  A Sign (I think!) A blatant chat up - but you
can't blame him for trying.

They encored with Cattle and Cane (Just Bob and Grant) which moistened many
an eye, as did the next song Part Company. Other songs that moved the
audience were Bachelor Kisses and Apology Accepted. I'm sure many a memory,
good and bad, was stirred - I know it was for me.

And so some twenty songs later they departed. "See you again...maybe" was
Grant's parting shot.

As I queued for the t-shirt stall I noticed a familiar face wielding a pen.
It was Robert chatting to people and signing autographs. I asked him what
he thought of Dave Nichols book and he said he liked it and was quite
excited that there was a copy floating around Edinburgh. He didn't seem to
mind the personal stuff in it, and was interested when I told him about
Antheas' Queensland connection (see her review of the book posted
previously.)

I then spent the rest of the evening high on this encounter like a twelve
year old Take That fan. Pretty sad huh?

So all in all a pretty great night, certainly the best gig I've seen this
year. Looking forward to London.


Mail to Alister@ablack.demon.co.uk





Just got back from a trip to Glasgow for youknowwhat, and especially for
overseas fans who may not be seeing our Australian friends on their current
travels, here are the songs I heard.  I managed to grab a set-list, which
looks like it is meant as a basis for each show.  The order may have
slightly differed from what's written but I'm pretty sure I didn't forget
anything.  Anyway, here it is in its mis-spelt glory:

GOBETWEENS (When till now? 97)

TO REACH ME
HEAD FULL OF STEAM
BYE BYE PRIDE
THIS GIRL
QUIET HART
DIVE FOR YOUR MEMORY
CORE OF A FLAME
RIGHT HERE
PEOPLE SAY
ROCKIN ROLL FRIEND
DRAINING THE POOL
BACHELOR KISSES
SPRING RAIN
LEE REMICK
LOVE GOES ON
LOVE IS A SIGN
WAS THERE ANYTHING I COULD DO
CATTLE AND CANE
[PART COMPANY - PLAYED BUT NOT LISTED]
CLOUDS - NOT PLAYED
KAREN - NOT PLAYED
WRONG ROAD - NOT PLAYED
IM ALRIGHT - NOT PLAYED
APOLIGY ACCEPTED

The absolute highlight had to be just Grant and Robert playing 'C & C' and
'Part Company'.  Words cannot describe, etc.  Sadly no 'Running The Risk'
or 'Sweet Tasting Hours'.  Shucks. 

If I had to criticise, well, just that the 'Tallulah' songs slightly missed
Amanda's pretty violin and oboe lines, though the 'Lovers Lane' tracks held
up remarkably well.  

Robert was as comic as ever - "The most disgusting thing I have seen on a
Glasgow stage in fifty years [was] me reaching into my pants mid-song [for
his harmonica]"  (most of us anticipated that he was actually referring to
his harmonica playing) and Grant was in especially fine voice, particularly
when singing back-up.  Adele held her own in this department too.  Only one
cry of "Where's Lindy?" that I heard and a pretty sober dress turn from
Robert, light suit and black tie.  Worries surrounding this were soon put
to bed when he was observed later on in standard pseudo-Hawaiian clobber. 
Grant looked in great shape and sported a plain white T-shirt and blue
jeans

I don't know if throughout the tour he's planning to make a habit of it,
but Robert did appear soon after the show by the T-shirt stall and spent a
happy while signing stuff and chatting.  So, future concertgoers, hang
around for twenty minutes or so and you might get lucky!  Robert and I
principally discussed Hawaiian shirts and my resemblance to Ross MacLennan
(drummer).  Don't believe a word of it mind.  

Adele mentioned that the band had recorded a Scottish radio session (not
for immediate live broadcast) for a show called "Beat...something?".  Does
anyone know when this show is on if it hasn't already been, and more
importantly, are you into doing me a copy?  (Will trade of course).

I was glad to see a pretty healthy turn-out and it was a pretty damn
magical night.  Here's to the Forum tomorrow....

Jonathan L.