Those among you lucky enough to witness Steve Harley‘s stripped-down Acoustic tour earlier this year [which Midland Mania did, in bloody Redditch of all places] may remember the enigmatic songwriter’s announcement that just before Chrimbleplops a full Cockney Rebel tour – backed with full orchestra, choir and ten-piece ELECTRIC band – would follow. Jogging your memory at all? We thought so….
Well, guess what? He was neither joking nor lying. No, our Steven has ALWAYS been a man of his word – and to that end, a FULL electric Rebel trek has since been announced. Which, for the benefit of we Midlanders, includes not one but TWO regional dates, in the majestic surroundings of Cheltenham Town Hall Dec 19 and Birmingham Town Hall Dec 20. The latter of which is particularly significant for us lot at MM, as ’twas in this very venue that your humble scribe first witnessed the great man in action: thus, it only makes sense that almost 35 years on, we’re hoping to do so all over again.
As, more importantly, should YOU be. Because there is, was and always has only ever been one Steve Harley [though Bob Geldof had a fair crack at imitating him on the first two Rats albums, and Mike Scott’s copped a move or two] and as an artist now in his seventh decade of life, he deserves your full admiration, respect and appreciation. I mean, just look at that list of songs: from Sebastian, Judy Teen, Death Trip, Cavaliers, Tumbling Down, Mr Soft, Make Me Smile, The Best Years Of Our Lives, Mr Raffles, It Wasn’t Me, Black Or White, Red Is A Mean Mean Colour, Love’s A Prima Donna, Compared With You, Roll The Dice and Riding The Waves to Freedom’s Prisoner, Ballerina, Promises, The Lighthouse, That’s My Life In Your Hands, A Friend For Life, Journey’s End and Two Thousand Years Ago, it’s a back catalogue most composers would kill for, and that’s just scratching the surface. And now, with full band, choir and orchestra in attendance [something Harley hasn’t done in the Midlands for a few years now] you’ve got an even greater chance of hearing most of them than ever before, alongside a dozen deep cuts, rarities and anecdotal treasures.
Indeed, for this very reason, tickets are going fast – which is why we suggest you head directly over to https://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/steve-harley-cockney-rebel-401157/ and https://bmusic.co.uk/events/steve-harley-cockney-rebel and grab yourself a ticket or two IMMEDIATELY. The Rebel, to paraphrase a classic album track from the 70s, may NOT be spaced out, hung up and wasted, but if you miss this, then you’re insane- and you’re caught in a fool’s game. Oh, no, look what you’ve done.
As the chill wind blows none of us any good, what better way could there be to spend an evening than in an historic building with a veteran legend STILL at the very peak of his powers? I can think of very few – or indeed a better end to a near-perfect year of music. See you down there – and don’t forget to tell Ruthy, Muriel and Loretta.
DARIUS DREWE
Thee Editorius
midlandmania.wordpress.com 