Friday, 29 February, 1980 – Palm Cove, Bradford, England 

 

  1. Spectre vs Rector (part 2)
  2. Printhead
  3. City Hobgoblins
  4. Rowche Rumble
  5. 2nd Dark Age
  6. Impression of J. Temperance
  7. English Scheme
  8. How I Wrote Elastic Man
  9. Cary Grant’s Wedding
  10. Your Heart Out
  11. Fiery Jack
  12. A Figure Walks
  13. Dice Man
  14. Muzorewi’s Daughter

 

NOTES

66 minutes

Spectre vs Rector pt. 2 and Cary Grant’s Wedding are on “Totale’s Turns.”

A listenable audience capture once the initial microphone rattling has ceased although the group is a little distant. The sound is a bit in and out in parts due to phasing, and there is the occasional drop-out in parts due to microphone distress. There is a little audience chatter in places but nothing to obtrusive.

Only the second half of Spectre vs Rector is played – from the “I Have Saved A 1,000 Souls” part onwards.

Given the January gig at Manchester Polytechnic is not available, and assuming they were played at that gig, this includes the first captured versions of City Hobgoblins, Impression of J.Temperance, English Scheme, and , How I wrote Elastic Man so this makes this a bit of a must have. Also to hear Mike Leigh’s take on the tunes, rather than the usually associated Paul Hanley, is a bonus.

MES is in full shrieking manic mode throughout adding a certain brio to the whole affair. In fact the group is in fine fettle with a deft muscularity coming to the fore. The opening to “Rowche Rumble” is excellent with audience participation and rock steady drumming from Leigh. There is an extended MES rant towards the end with some wordplay. The crowd is clearly up for this and responds with some acclaim.

“2nd Dark Age” is pure venom. “Impression” is taken at a slightly faster pace than what would emerge in the Hanley era and features some interesting guitar figures that would eventually wotk there way out in the more basic, later, version. Interesting use of cow bell by Mike Leigh in parts adds a rhythmic edge. “English Scheme” is high tempo, and followed by a memorable rolling and tumbling “Elastic Man” with a slightly less askance guitar figure than in the released version.

Cary Grants, is suitably evocative with MES conjuring some demons in the middle section. “Your Heart Out” is without Kay Carroll’s backing vocals for this performance, this is followed by a mammoth nigh on 9 minute rattle through “Fiery Jack”.

A memorable reading of “A Figure Walks” follows with a real motorik feel.

All in all an excellent performance – pity about the patchy quality.