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YORK CITY SOUTH |
New Frontiers
Deaf School
"There are only 2 groups that matter to come out of Liverpool, The Beatles and Deaf School", Paul Du Noyer. The Beatles out of the way and on with the main event.
Outside the packed pub, we exchanged pleasantries with a couple we’d known for 30 years, but never spoken to. Sausage pubs in West London and not being in a band was the gist of the conversation.
Over my shoulder, a bespectacled fatherly figure appeared to be making sure the support band had enough money to get back home.
Charming down to earth people. All 3 disappeared into the night as the distinctive intro organ sounds of Hi Jo Hi drifted from the back of the pub.
Clive Langer assumed his customary position on stage. The band was joined by the couple, Enrico Cadillac Jnr and Miss Bette Bright. Enrico finally fulfilling a long standing 30 year ambition of looking like a 50 plus year old spiv. Bette put on a show that no woman of her age and stature, happily married with 2 grown up children, should ever consider. Bliss.
The set opened with a big dose of "Second Honeymoon", as it progressed, many songs from "Don’t Stop The World" and some from "English Boys" appeared. It was over all too soon.
Personal highlights were dotted throughout the set, make that the set. Each and every song was memorable. I left The Dublin Castle humming Goodbye To All That it might have been dropped in 1977 but in 2009 it stood the test of time just like the rest of the set.
On the second night at The Garage, Enrico commented that he’d get "Its A Boy’s World' right tonight", I hadn’t noticed his slip of the tongue the previous night.
On stage, Ian Ritchie on sax was sounding as infectious as ever, forever grinning from ear to ear, never quite if sure its because he looks even younger than Deaf School’s last reunion. Or, is it because he’s been released from his stint in Roger Waters band or most probably, he’s just happy to be back with Deaf School again.
The whole group look happy to be back together, interacting like a bunch of friends throughout the set, a word here, a giggle there, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
In the corner is Clive Langer, oblivious to everything else just banging away on his guitar.
A cramped Dublin Castle stage doesn’t allow much room for manoeuvre. The Sparkles perched precariously on the edge of the stage. A night later, with more prominence , it looked like Bette Bright’s 1979 red dress, emblazoned with "English Boys" across the backside, had made a re-appearance. Other reports suggest that all The Sparkles were dressed in Bette’s originals. For all their charms, they don’t fill them as well as Bette did all those years ago.
I’d first seen Deaf School in 1979. I saw the 1988 reunion. With intrepidation, I ventured out again in 2007, would they still be as good. The answer? A definite yes. It was yes again in September 2009.
The bloke behind me, a 20 something who'd been given the first Deaf School LP only a few months previous, left as enthused as those who'd seen Deaf School in the 1970s & 80s.
Billed as "the return of Liverpool’s other institution", Deaf School certainly lived up to all expectations. Just ask Kevin Rowlands, Holly Johnson, Glen Matlock, Spizz or Suggs who all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views stated in New Frontiers are solely those of New Frontiers and do not necessarily represent those of York City Football Club or York City South (a branch of The York City Football Club Supporters Club).
Email Chris, New Frontiers editor & YCS site webmaster