We arrived late at the venue - just as they were announcing on the tannoy system - 'the Ian McNabb gig will be commencing in two minutes'. This was due to the fact that the map the box office provided had said 'follow the signs'. What bloody signs?
Anyway, the pokey little room was already packed and we were horrified, having reserved the tickets fairly early on, to discover we were sitting in the back row practically in the roof!
Although it was a little more than two minutes, we didn't have to wait long... Ian came on at around 8pm. The atmosphere was totally unexpected - in fact, totally lacking any sort of atmosphere!
Usually I can't remember what Ian plays because I'm too busy enjoying myself. However, on this occasion it was difficult to even sing along, as there was no other audible singing in the crowd to blend in with. So I thought I'd be productive and scribble the songs down. (This was done in the dark on bits of paper - so it still may not be comprehensive - and certainly not in the correct order, I'm afraid).
Even Ian could not get used to the unusually quiet audience, some of the comments he made proving this. As he took up his seat at the piano for 'Little bit of Magic' he said 'you're the quietest audience on the tour so far - and we've been to Sheffield!' and 'Are you alright? - I'm not used to an audience being so quiet'.
I'd like to think that the stunned atmosphere was because the room was full of newcomers who were simply gob-smacked at the talent of Ian Mcnabb... A room full of converts, we hope.
As standard procedure these days, Ian announced a fifteen minute break for a little drinkypoos....
.... Over forty minutes later we were in our seats and growing concerned that he'd had enough and had gone somewhere more interesting...
Finally he did come back on. He was back to the Les Paul by now and rocked as hard as ever... The four of us at the back sang our little hearts out, despite the rest of the crowd's reluctance or unfamiliarity with the words. The list was roughly as follows...
He then disappeared, but the icy audience had well and truly thawed out by this time and it was obvious that Ian had won them over, as he was called back to do an encore.
Back he came and related the story of how he and his friend - or rather 'ex-friend', Mike Scott - had both sent off a song to Rod Stewart. However, Rod, in his infinite wisdom, had only chosen to record Scott's. You can't help feeling that Rod was the only loser anyway as Ian then wound up the evening with the rejected number - 'You Stone my Soul' , performed with a little help from his friends again.
And then it was over. Ian thanked the audience for being 'so attentive and for clapping in all the right places'.
He'd evidently enjoyed the chance to preach the word to some new ears. I hope they stay converted..
Then he tossed his plectrum out into the crowd. Oh no! ...I'd hoped that was destined to be for my collection! Oh well..I hope the guy who got it takes good care of it!
As usual we bought a few bits and bobs to make sure the coffers are well lined. Ian was as cheerful as ever and, again, signed various things for the few people who hung around. See you at Ronnie's we promised as we left.
It wasn't exactly the best of venues, but I went home feeling happy as usual (if plectrum-less)....
Trina Heath
22 November 1998
Posted 8 January 1999. Slight modifications 19 January 1999.
This review Copyright © 1999, Trina Heath. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with permission.
The right of Trina Heath to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
[Back] to the Ian McNabb News Page