Band:
Magnum Venue:
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Date:
6 March 2002
Like some early birthday present my lifetime heroes were not only back
together for their 20th Anniversary tour, but they were playing my local
Uni. Who would have dreamed after all these years they mighty Magnum would
reform and would be here tonight to thrill us as they'd done so many times
before?
Although over the years we've followed lead singer Bob Catley valiantly
through his solo albums and tours, it hasn't been the same as when he had
Tony Clarkin by his side.
Well tonight we would see not only Tony back in his proper position at the
front of the stage with 'Oor Bob', but sitting across the stage on the
other side behind the keyboard was the lovely Mark Stanway. Even after all
these years he still has those lovely twinkly eyes that peer out from
beneath his fringe.
Sadly Mickey Barker and Wally Lowe aren't with the band tonight, oh what a
shame, to have them here as well would have been magical. However the new
line-up includes a familiar face on bass, that of Al Barrow. A man we've
seen a great many times performing alongside Bob with his live touring
band and also with both Bob and Tony in Hard Rain. A man who was also
described to me as 'Laurence' from changing rooms but with blonde hair!
Surely not!
To the centre rear of stage we were told the drummer was none other than
ex-Thunder skinman Harry James. Being a wee thing myself I could only nod
in agreement at this because the only time I actually got to clap eyes on
him was when they all took a bow and left at the end of the set!
The room was quite full. In fact it's fair to say I haven't seen this many
people in here since The Wildhearts fated gig last year. Opening with
'Vigilante' the crowd might not have been young in years but they were
young at heart and soon they were bobbing about furiously in time to the
music and singing along for all they were worth. Who could fail to feel
that warmth flood through the room at that moment? Did we feel the love in
the room that night or what? Darius eat your heart out!
One thing that
struck me quite early on and did in fact shock me slightly was how small
Tony is. He's not that much taller than Bob! After years of craning my
neck upwards to see this darkly clad mysterious character in dark shades,
high Cuban heels and big tall hat, here he was in flat white sneakers, no
shades and no hat! Shock horror!
Mind you he still glances around the
faces in the crowd looking as if he can see into your very soul.
I've always had massive respect for this man. To see him alive and well
and playing in my all time favourite band again, had me near to tears. I
kid you not.
Tony seemed to have a few teething problems with his guitar at the very
beginning of Vigilante. Thankfully these didn't last long and he was
allowed to enjoy the rest of the gig trouble free.
The set was a definite Magnum fan set if ever there was one. Crammed
packed with old favourites such as 'Back Street Kid', 'How Far Jerusalem'
and 'Rocking Chair', happy memories and good times came flooding back into
our minds. Every single face in that crowd was smiling, every single
person delighted to be there and having such a great time.
It was great to hear some of the new material getting an airing as well.
Songs taken from the new album Breath of Life which included 'Cry' with
its grand beginning and massively catchy chorus. This was the one that had
me and my friend Becky whipped into a frenzy and resulted in her severely
bruising her knees on the stampede barrier.
Another new one that had Magnum stamped all over it like a signature tune
is 'Just like January'. Gentle, beautiful, gorgeous.
Bob seemed to love every minute of it as much as what the fans did and
took the time out to come down off the stage and shake a few hands. He
leapt about the stage waving his arms around like someone demented and
basically did all the things he's done for so many years that have
captivated us so much. People may scoff him at times for doing all this
but it's good to see a front man with some stage presence. That's
certainly something Bob's got in bucket loads.
It must have been good for Mark and Tony to see how much we've missed them
both so much over the years. Let's hope this isn't just a one off project
and they stick together a bit longer and do a few more tours and albums.
We never forgot you guys, we've always lived in hope you'd return to
enchant us again. Neither Tony nor Mark have lost their wealth of talent
over the years as they proved during 'How far Jerusalem' when Tony did his
guitar solo, and when Mark played those magical notes at the beginning of
'Sacred Hour'.
Whether you're a die-hard Magnum/Bob Catley fan, or a newbie who just
likes good solid songs with plenty of passion and feeling in them, that
you can sing along to, if you want a night to remember for the rest of
your days then get yourself along to a Magnum gig.
No matter whether you're a rock spring chicken in the blossom of your
youth, or a golden oldie, everyone's welcome to join in the Magnum family.
I've seen two and even three generations of rock fans at these gigs and
neither generation have felt out of place.
As my husband said when we came out after the gig, he was never a Magnum
fan, but having been forced into seeing them at over 12 gigs over the
years, not including 'Oor Bob's', he has to admit he's never seen them do
a bad gig yet. Even he admitted to thoroughly enjoying it and this is
coming from a self-confessed cock rocker!
Hurry back we want MORE MORE MORE!!!
Setlist:
1. Vigilante
2. Wild Swan
3. Everyday
4. Backstreet Kid
5. Les mort Dansant
6. Cry
7. How far Jerusalem
8. Just like January
9. The Spirit
10. Days of not Trust
11. Rocking Chair
12. Kingdom of Madness
Encore:
13. Sacred Hour
More Magnum
and Bob Catley related reviews:
CD/DVD Reviews: Magnum -
Wings of Heaven Live Magnum -
Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow
Magnum - Brand New Morning
Magnum -
Live In London (DVD)
Bob Catley - Middle Earth
Bob Catley - When Empires Burn
Gig Reviews:
Bob Catley - Trillians, Newcastle, 18 Dec
2000
Bob Catley - Trillians Rock Bar,
Newcastle, 23 May 2001
Phoenix Rising Festival
- Jilly's Rock World, Manchester,
27 May 2001
Magnum
- Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon
Tyne, 6 March 2002
Magnum
- Bradford Rios, 25th September
2004
Magnum - Carling Academy, Newcastle, 18 May 2007
One thing that
struck me quite early on and did in fact shock me slightly was how small
Tony is. He's not that much taller than Bob! After years of craning my
neck upwards to see this darkly clad mysterious character in dark shades,
high Cuban heels and big tall hat, here he was in flat white sneakers, no
shades and no hat! Shock horror! 
