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Click on the link below to see Phil's guitar solo at the end of Rockin' In The Free World recorded at The Station, Loftus on Saturday 1st March 2008.
Enjoy....
The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth : Monday 2nd June 2008
Bootleggers, Kendal : Thursday 5th June 2008
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ANIMATE
Live @ The Quakerhouse, Darlington
3rd September 2008
Members
Phil WING Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals
Chris TURNER Vocals
Graham FORRESTER Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Steve LEWIS Drums
Mike JAMES Keyboard & Acoustic Guitar
Now I wasn't going to do a review of the lads this time, as it is an unwritten rule with me that I don't do repeats within two years simply on the basis that some groups unwittingly repeat the set, ergo nothing new to write about. So unless there is a change in line-up or set list, I go along simply to enjoy the music. Added to the line-up and making the group a five-piece, is keyboard player, Mike James. By Chris's own admission, they had only been rehearsing together for four weeks, and that there was still a long way to go to increase his contribution to the whole set. I was pleased to find out from Chris that they were going to perform five numbers from Porcupine Tree. Who you may ask? Just listen to these guys play and instantly you will be wanting more.
Set 1.
The full line-up kicked off with 'White Room' by Cream, and straight away with the addition of the keyboards and full reign given to Chris's vocals, what was achieved was a fuller sound. Did I mention full anywhere? An excellent start. There was a repeat performance of Pink Floyd's 'Time/Breathe' excerpt from Dark Side of the Moon. Again this was well played with Phil's guitar expertise coming to the fore on the Gilmour influenced solo. Forgive me if I spotted some misdirection on the changeover but it didn't detract from the highest level of interpretation. Rush's 'Dreamline' quickly followed. Again there is the danger of trying to compare this performance of the song with the last time they were here. I did mention that Chris wasn't Geddy but it didn't matter one iota as this was pretty damn good. There came next the first Porcupine Tree song 'Trains' from the 'In Absentia' album. This is the first time anyone has included this in their repertoire at The Quaker, and throughout the excellent interpretation members of the audience were asking who is this by? Hey come on get on board! The last time Chris expressed some concern regarding his voice in the attempt on 'Sleepflower' by the Manic Street Preachers, naming it as the song that lost his voice. This time it was no problem and again Phil provided the backing harmonies and solo work to make it work superbly well. What I should point out here is the unsung heroes in Steve and Graham (the latter being virtually unrecognisable under the length of his hair - all that in 11 mths!!). 'Pinball Wizard' by The Who came next. As it turned out this was probably the weakest song of the night, not that it wasn't performed well, which it was, but perhaps would benefit on more emphasis and development on Graham's bass reposte to Phil's kerchinging, but then again I'm being picky. 'Shallow' by Porcupine Tree was superbly done well, and quickly appeased some doubters that Prog Rock can be heavy and rocking. The only thing I could pick up on was a little imbalance with Chris and Phil's harmonies. To finish the first set we had Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb', and this time without MARTY( who informed me that his performances are going to be cut back to 'on demand') . As with last time, brilliantly done and Phil's solo rated as one of the best in the region.
Set 2
An unusual start to the second set, in that just Chris and Phil played a minimalist interpretation of 'Lazarus' by Porcupine Tree. Relying heavily on harmonies between the two, the respectful silence during the song and the applause that ensued, just showed how good this was. The song, as with 'Shallow' is from the Deadwing album. ( May I suggest my favourite track - 'Arriving somewhere but not here' be attempted in the future?). Rush's 'Limelight' came next, not a song I know well, but they seemed to have got all their Rush songs off to a fine art. The same can be said of the next Porcupine Tree song from the latest full album, named 'Fear of a Blank Planet'. The title track was performed absolutely brilliantly, with everyone performing the timing and emphasis to perfection. 'Moonage Daydream' by Bowie came next. The last time I felt this was one of their better numbers and much more suited to Chris's vocals and being quite definitive of what I perceived as the Animate sound. The same still applies but has become overshadowed by the PT numbers. Funnily enough Porcupine Tree's 'Even Less' from In Absentia came at exactly the same point in proceedings, but this time it was the last of the numbers being performed. I made no bones about it last time and neither do I this time, they still are my group of the moment and dare I say it Animate played this track even better than last time!!! Near perfection was again reached with Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall', starting entirely differently from any other version I have heard. The combination of the instrumental Rush number '2112' and their 'Spirit of the Radio' made a terrific finish to the second set, and comparisons must be made with The Force, despite Steve the landlord's defence, that there some distance between them. I don't think so!
Encore.
'Suffragette City' by David Bowie made a repeat performance as an encore number, and followed by The Who's 'The Seeker', and 'Summertime Blues' all songs well played. However Neil Young's 'Rocking in the Free World' was incredible, not just with the vocals, but with Phil's ' three week long guitar solo, made it all complete.
Animate do not perform regularly limiting themselves to twenty or so performances a year, but on this showing, what we get is a freshness and pride in what they do, and music played to the highest level of expertise. Long may it reign.
Gazinho
Review taken from The Quakerhouse website www.quakerhouse.net
