#TPau25 2013 UK Tour: Review of #TPau25 gig at Harpenden Public Hall 04/05/13

The first gig I had the pleasure of seeing in the #TPau25 Tour was Harpenden Public Hall on 04/05/13. I was very excited because not only was this the first time I had seen Carol perform in 8 years (the last full set Carol did was at The Robin 2 in July 2005, not long after she participated in Hit Me Baby One More Time in which she won her heat and performed in the final), but the line-up included Ron, and to have the 2 co-founders and co-writers of T'Pau on stage to celebrate 25 years since Bridge of Spies went quadruple platinum was something for T'Pau fans to celebrate and be excited about!!

The evening started off with the support act which was the very talented Chris Corney.

The combination of his very distinctive vocals and his seemingly 'effortless' knack of playing acoustic guitar to such a high standard made me realise this is one recording artist we will be hearing a lot more of in the future - sooner rather than later. His vocals did remind me of the very talented James Blunt and Matt Cardle.

He has been writing music for over twenty years and has performed all over the world as a touring musician.

Chris has recently signed to London/Nashville based publishing company Southern Crossroads Music and looking at his credentials of people he has worked with and produced music by, including Ronnie Wood, The Quireboys, Joe Elliott (Def Leppord) and Tracie Hunter, I am not surprised at all after seeing his performance.

Chris performing at Harpenden

Carol has hinted quite a few times recently that she will be collaborating with Chris on her next album, and all I can say is that this is one musical partnership where each others attributes will complement both of them.

The enthusiasm in the crowd at Harpenden Civic Hall towards Chris didn't go un-noticed and he certainly had a great reception. I think this is great as a lot of support acts, no matter how good they are, can sometimes go un-noticed because all the crowd are waiting for is the main act to come on.

www.chriscorneymusic.co.uk

#TPau25 Harpenden

Looking around the hall after Chris had done his set, and before Carol and the band appeared, I could sense people's excitement and eagerness for the main act to start!

I, myself have seen Carol perform many times; in T'Pau 1, various solo gigs, T'Pau 2 when she toured with Red , but to me this was 'something special'. What with reading all of the press coverage, and believe me there has been a lot, seeing the reviews there have been so far, which couldn't praise the gig's enough and seeing so many positive comments on the Official FaceBook Page T'Pau25 Official FaceBook Page by fans, this was one event I was not going to miss out on!!

The 'classical' opening sequence to 'Island' started to play and the band appeared, but where was Ms Decker!? The beginning of 'Island' then cleverly changed to 'Sex Talk' and Carol appeared ready for the vocals. I must say Carol looked fantastic! The 'big' red hair which has been her trademark for over 25 years, High length/high heeled boots, tight black trousers and the stunning black leather jacket Carol had made especially for the tour. Carol looked every bit the 'icon' she is.

The cheer Carol got when she appeared summed it up really, and this was before she started to sing.

Carol looking great on stage at Harpenden

Carol then started to sing the first few lines to 'Sex Talk', and all I can say is 'Wow!' Her vocals have seemed to have grown stronger than ever! This actually gave me goosebumps. Carol was doing what she did best - rocking the place out!

The first few songs were her 'trade mark' 'rockers' including 'Monkey House' and a song which has always been a firm favourite by fans 'Thank You For Goodbye' was sung in demo version - the version that appears on 'The Story Behind The Tracks' and also a B-Side to 'I Will Be With You' titled 'Thank You For Goodbye Rides Again. This version has always been preferred by Carol & Ron and the fans.

Carol had the audiences full attention, something she does and has always done so well. She is so good at her craft, you can't help but be captivated and 'pulled in to the moment'.

Looking at Carol and Ron, both at the front of the stage, seemed to make the whole evening 'complete' and made me realise that having 'both' of them at this 25th Anniversary Tour was the 'icing on the cake'.

The audience were clapping away to the songs, cheering and we even had a bit of 'T'Pau aerobics' during 'Secret Garden', a song that always gets the audience in the mood.

Carol did invite fans to get up and dance, and at the same time made us realise our ages, which was quite funny, as we are not the teenagers we once were!!

This didn't stop a few people going to the front of the hall dancing away and I noticed people at the back 'hidden away' even dancing!!

The middle of the set changed direction completely with going from the rockiest of tracks, to the beautifulness of the ballads. Carol has always had this knack of being able to rock the place out one minute to change the tone to the 'power ballads' which T'Pau have had plenty of. This was one quality why so many people over the years have warmed to Carol & T'Pau - the diversity in the music. 'Heart & Soul' had over-lapping rap vocals, 'Sex Talk', 'Monkey House', to name a few, were the real 'rockers' and 'China In Your Hand', Valentine', 'I Will Be With You' & 'Only The Lonely' were the much loved 'power ballads'. You've got a mix of everything!

'I Will Be With You' was sung as beautiful as it could be, one of my favourite T'Pau tracks.

We then were treated to a few 'acoustic' songs. 'Only The Lonely' was pure perfection and sent shivers down my spine. The vocals were 'pitch perfect', no surprise there!! Next up was the beautiful 'Love Song'
from the fourth album 'Red'. The audience were in their element! The next acoustic song was another of my favourites 'Strange Place'. My god, we were being treated! The guitar solo at the end of the song was executed perfectly, and carol introduced the lead guitarist, James Ashby, not forgetting to mention he was only 23, and wasn't even born when T'Pau first appeared on the scene!! Carol said she liked her band members being younger than her!!

James Ashby doing what he does best!

Some of the songs hadn't even been sung for 25 years! And do you know what, you would never have guessed!

The talent on the stage was enormous. Each band member knew their craft so well, and were also singing backing vocals.

It was announced that favourite album tracks were to be sung and 'Road To Our Dream' didn't disappoint!! Another favourite of mine!

When Carol introduced what I would class as one of the rockiest songs T'Pau have ever produced, 'Let It All Fall', we were reminded of our ages again when she said some of you will need to hold on to your toupee's!! The sheer power in the band's capabilities and Carol's vocals, yet again, did not let us down.

The opening bars to 'Heart & Soul' generated such a great reaction and I noticed a lot of people were holding up their phones during this song. This was where it all started for Carol & Ron and we all have long fond memories of when it all begun.

''Bridge of Spies' always goes down a storm, and we were reminded that the album went quadruple platinum and 1 in 10 households had a copy. That's a lot of record sales!! This gave Carol the opportunity to plug 'The Story Behind The Tracks' which is on sale at the gigs which has all of the demos of the songs that appeared on the album 'Bridge of Spies' along with 8 other songs, 6 previously unheard tracks that never made it to the final cut of the album. There is also a 90 minute documentary featuring Carol and Ron talking about life before T'Pau and them going to a few of their old haunts, including where they used to live where the 'hits' were written. A must for 'all' T'Pau fans.

You can also order the CD/DVD set online :

www.gnatfishrecords.com

Carol said goodnight, but something was telling me the show wasn't quite over yet....One of those 'get your lighters at the ready' moments!!

The opening chords of 'China' started to play and everyone was waving their arms in the air. The audience never tires of this song, and Carol never fails to give it her all.

She was wearing a red leather jacket when she came back on stage, similar to that of the black one she was previously wearing, and she told us a very funny story regarding the jackets. Carol's sense of humour and wit is another attribute she has.

Carol, Ron and the band were given a very well deserved standing ovation, and Carol said "We will see you again" and thanked us all for coming.

Afterwards, Carol met the fans at the merchandise table, and there was a long queue of people patiently waiting for photos & signings, and Carol was, and always has been very warm and welcoming to her followers.

The #TPau25 Tour is going even better than Carol & Ron could ever have hoped for and they are very touched by all the support they have received. All I can say is that after seeing the gig at Harpenden, they have every reason to be happy.

For details about the #TPau25 Tour, click on the link below, and believe me, you will not be disappointed!!

Click Here

A few of the gigs have You Tube clips to give you a little taste of what to expect!! :

Buxton Opera House 09/04/13