Bob Catley - The Winking Man Leek 20th October 2006
Setlist: Moment Of Truth / Blinded By A Lie / Scream / Spirit of Man / Return Of The Mountain King / Stormcrow and Pilgrim / Fire Within Me / Days Of No Trust // My America
Ah, little Bob… You know what, little pigs? Well, obviously you don’t. Unless you’d lived my life, you wouldn’t, would you? And, you haven’t. So, you don’t know.
Anyhoo, before I was so rudely interrupted, I was about to point out that the first time I saw Bob Catley live was on Nov 4 th 1979. I’ll wager that some of you reading this weren’t even a stain on your Daddy’s underpants then.
Leeds , Queens Hall.
Magnum; opening for Blue Oyster Cult on the Mirrors tour.
It was only the second rock gig I’d ever been to.
I was 17 and had never heard of Magnum.
Within about 30 seconds of them taking to the stage, I was hooked.
I’ve been a fan ever since.
Ah, little Bob… You know what, little pigs? Well, obviously you don’t. Unless you’d lived my life, you wouldn’t, would you? And, you haven’t. So, you don’t know.
Anyhoo, before I was so rudely interrupted, I was about to point out that the first time I saw Bob Catley live was on Nov 4 th 1979. I’ll wager that some of you reading this weren’t even a stain on your Daddy’s underpants then.
Leeds , Queens Hall.
Magnum; opening for Blue Oyster Cult on the Mirrors tour.
It was only the second rock gig I’d ever been to.
I was 17 and had never heard of Magnum.
Within about 30 seconds of them taking to the stage, I was hooked.
I’ve been a fan ever since.
This review is a little pizzicato, don’t you think?
Or, do I mean staccato?
Or, pretentious?
How dare you ?!
Pretentious? Moi?
And why isn’t there an interrobang in the Arial character set, Goddammit?!
Don’t blame me, it’s the voices…
So, Magnum, 1979, Queens Hall, Leeds, Blue Oyster Cult.
Yeah, BOC were awesome. But, so were Magnum. Thereafter, I seemed to see them at practically every other gig I went to; they were the opening act du jour for almost every big band for quite a few years. One of the best performances I can remember seeing of theirs was at Reading Festival in ‘83. It was billed as their last official gig; they were splitting up. It was the Sunday afternoon, somewhere in the middle of it, I think, but don’t quote me… it was over 209 years ago, I was drunk, stoned and trying to get laid at the time…
Or, do I mean staccato?
Or, pretentious?
How dare you ?!
Pretentious? Moi?
And why isn’t there an interrobang in the Arial character set, Goddammit?!
Don’t blame me, it’s the voices…
So, Magnum, 1979, Queens Hall, Leeds, Blue Oyster Cult.
Yeah, BOC were awesome. But, so were Magnum. Thereafter, I seemed to see them at practically every other gig I went to; they were the opening act du jour for almost every big band for quite a few years. One of the best performances I can remember seeing of theirs was at Reading Festival in ‘83. It was billed as their last official gig; they were splitting up. It was the Sunday afternoon, somewhere in the middle of it, I think, but don’t quote me… it was over 209 years ago, I was drunk, stoned and trying to get laid at the time…
Where was I? Yes, Magnum. Of course, Bob Catley’s voice was always such a major part of the band and, whenever you go along to see a band you loved in the past, there is always the possibility that the memory is better than the reality. Certainly, in recent years, I have been disappointed on a couple of occasions, especially where vocalists are concerned. However, I need not have worried. Bob’s voice is as strong as ever and, to be honest, you wouldn’t think that twenty-seven years had past since I first heard those mellifluous pipes sing their siren song.
A little flowery?
You think?
Really, I can’t find anything to pick fault with.
Au contraire ma petite nenuphar .
A little flowery?
You think?
Really, I can’t find anything to pick fault with.
Au contraire ma petite nenuphar .
Dave Hill of Demon and Bob
The set comprises Bob’s solo material, and as shameful as the admission is, none of which had I heard in advance of the Sheffield gig last month. Still, I kept an open mind, although I had wondered whether the solo material would be strong enough to make me want to stay through the set, given my love of the old stuff. Clearly, I had not had sufficient faith in his Bobness, because I was bowled over with the power of the new material. Yes, it really is that damn good. Easily on a par with anything Magnum recorded, and that is not something that I say lightly, given songs like Kingdom of Madness, How Far Jerusalem et al. But, whilst young Bob is still coming up with songs like Spirit of Man, Moment of Truth and Fire Within Me, I’m more than happy to go along and see him perform. These solo acoustic gigs with Vince O’ Regan (also Gavin Bishop at Sheffield) on guitar are intimate, friendly and a whole lot of fun. Bob is a very nice guy and happy to chat, sign your CDs, LPs, or your girlfriend’s breasts. Bob’s mum is likely to be at the gig too, I believe she attends most of his shows in the UK; she’ll chat to you.So, there you have it.
Bob’s voice is as good as ever.
The solo material is outstanding.
You’ll get to meet his mum.
Get your ass off the sofa and along to one of his gigs, you numpty!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd October 2006
Bob’s voice is as good as ever.
The solo material is outstanding.
You’ll get to meet his mum.
Get your ass off the sofa and along to one of his gigs, you numpty!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd October 2006