The Littlest Rebel
Jerusalem (cuts into) I’m Frank
Telephone Thing
Hilary
Hit the North
Bill is Dead
Black Monk Theme
Popcorn Double Feature
Dead Beat Descendent
Bremen Nacht
Tuff Life Boogie
Chicago, Now!
Victoria
U.S. 80’s-90s
Mr Pharmacist
NOTES
57 minutes (but will be longer due to cuts in recording)
Well now then this is quality stuff. A very good soundboard recording from the third date of the 1990 “Extricate” tour. Everything is fantastic apart from a shortened version of “Rebel” and an odd jump cutting out a huge slab of “Jerusalem” and “Frank” and some other minor glitches and jumps in other places. Aside from those minor quibbles this is a rare gem from this period, clear precise and well mixed live Fall at their most effective.
MES is in excellent form throughout demonstrating consummate control over his band and adding interesting snippets through lyrIcal dexterity. Some accomplished playing from both guitarists adds value to what is a fine gig indeed.
I have not enough superlatives in the Collins Gem Pocket Thesaurus for this gig. The high point for me is a wonderful rendition of “Hit the North” where Mark is at his bellicose best. All too short a version for my greedy ears. That this is followed by another exemplary reading of “Bill” is pure heaven for this Fall fan. The tension between Marcia’s sweeping organ patch and Si’s bubbling drums, and MES’s langorous vocals sends a shiver down this listeners spine. Further excitement is conveyed with Mark ranting about “short arse rhythm guitar” and “double glazing crap/sh*t” in a superb rendition of “Black Monk Theme Pt 1” with I assume some keyboard fettling from MES.
At one point Mark politely asks the audience to stop calling out for old material explaining that “This is new sh*t”.
The low point of the evening is an understated “Popcorn” which feels underplayed. Other than that we get a fantastic gig.