hugh cornwell

howdy pop pickers

so yes, then, pretty much as the title gives every indication of being, this post concerns the general magnificence of Hugh Cornwell. yes, that one, look you see. more specifically, for those of you who like such yet still visit this blog, an evening of Hugh Cornwell live and in concert. indeed, another gig for the year this year (2024). 

a concert that, as it happens, very (kind of) nearly didn't happen and/or did not get attended. for a brief overview of issues, our (for i went with someone) means of transport got written off by one of them range rover driver types, and the gig was on what they claimed (as they always do) would be the worst ever weather the UK had faced, so trains were a bit touch and go. in regards of that it was so Hugh was in Scotland the night before, which really did have bad weather, and it was exceptionally touch and go as to if they would make it to the gig. 

happily, or if you will merrily, our train (at least there) was on time and running fine. Hugh and his entourage also made it, with some delay, which meant the gig was somewhat later than planned. but it at least happened. 

i believe it has been established over the last year (or so) that my new(ish) phone, one of them Samsung A14 things, is completely sh!t for taking pictures in general, with gigs (or concerts) being a particular challenge for it. oh how i miss my LG; wish they would make phones again. well, anyway, that above is probably the best picture i took of Hugh and his band giving it loads in that direction, or if you will going full tilt with the excellent tunes. 

for those with a "thing" for provenance, this was at the Fire Station in Sunderland. on November 23 of this very year, for further clarification. before anything else (yet after all else i have written so far) what an absolutely amazing venue it is. i believe they have a Bowie tribute on early next year (2025), i may well just go right ahead and go see it. 

ostensibly this gig, and the tour entire, was to showcase stuff from Hugh's most recent album, called as it is Moments Of Madness. this is indeed a fine album. but, of course, i was kind of if not mostly then partially there for the songs what he gone done with The Stranglers. unexpectedly i found myself in a bit of a minority in this respect, but i shall get to that. 

with pictures being rather bad off of my new phone it is so that video (yes, we have got a video) is all the more worse. but, for the sake of it rather than it being of any practical use, there's a brief clip of Hugh and the band doing Golden Brown. this came up surprisingly early in the set, for if nothing else  is easily the "best known" song off of his former band.

the vagaries of time are quite a thing, are they not. it is, i believe, so that Hugh Cornwell has been a solo artist for twice as long as he was in The Stranglers, yet such was the impact and success of that band it remains his main association. not that he has an issue or quarrel with that. in one of the many interludes in which he spoke to us fans gathered the pattern for the set was two of his solo songs, followed by a classic (his words) off of The Stranglers.

despite not getting the chart success he had with The Stranglers it is (merrily) so that Hugh has built up a substantial following with his solo work. no, not quite "appeal has become more selective" like Spinal Tap, but a pretty big following. i was impressed, if that is the right word, that so many of the audience were singing along (well, shouting) to the solo numbers. to my shame, no, i wasn't so familiar with them as to join in with the choir. 

beyond Golden Brown we got an interesting, perhaps (possibly) eclectic mix of Stranglers classics, mostly from the 70s era. from memory there was Duchess, Tank, Nice N Sleazy (sadly no strippers on stage so no "nude woman horror shock" headlines this time), Nuclear Device and a very welcome performance of Dead Loss Angeles. whereas i thoroughly enjoyed hearing him do them, and shall cherish such with what time i had, there was some "unease". perhaps this is out of just how much many of the audience had a clear preference for his solo work, but also it in a sense felt like "cheating" hearing these without it being the classic Stranglers line up. this may be why i am umming and aahing about going to see Daltrey next year (2025). 

even though it had been a long day of travel and everything was late Hugh Cornwell made himself available after the gig for pictures, greeting people and signing stuff. no, i did not get my picture taken with him, but a dear friend certainly did. 

under no circumstances at all would i have gone and seen Hugh, or anything Stranglers related, without my dear friend Mandybabes. no, not her actual name, except now it is, since i asked Hugh to sign a tape (disc) to Mandybabes and he did. whilst i was aware of some of their songs before, she introduced me to the marvels (and wonders) of the band proper. a quite wonderful way for me to be able to say thank you for that introduction and the many years of listening to their quality vibes. 

blimey, 2024 has been a staggeringly good year for gigs for moi. with it now being the the time when all live events are mostly Christmas music i suspect that's that for gigs for me for 2024. fear not, for some excellent ones are all lined up. 

be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!