Hurricane Of Change Tour

I don't often review a live performance, after all I normally go, have a good time and sing my heart out and apart from discussing set list choices or what not it's all subjective and my opinion is of no more importance than the next persons. I have read various people commenting about the Hurricane of Change "Tour" both positively and negatively and some people being frustrated that it wasn't like a gig and that's why I thought I would share my thoughts.....it is fine to disagree with them by all means!

The first thing I would like to say is that this wasn't a gig and I think to view it as one does it a disservice and perhaps wasn't made clear enough in the announcement and subsequent advertising of the tour. This was very much a personal theatre experience with Mike re-visiting "Eye Of The Hurricane", "Change" and "Electric Folklore" re-working and re-imagining the songs to form a narrative of his life and journey through that period. Gone are the chats and stories between tracks instead we have the "stream" narrative that moves the story along, linking and progressing without pause which often leads to some unsure applause moments as the narrative moves quickly....in that way it's like seeing a prog gig!

The new arrangements will divide opinion as much as "Declaration" and "Strength" did, after all some people don't like change (so to speak!) and that's ok, you don't have to like every thing! My concert companions who had both had the benefit of seeing a few more dates beforehand watched me intently for my reaction as I sat transfixed and blown away by some of the new interpretations especially "Rescue Me" and a beautifully slow "Rain In The Summertime" . The other real highlight for me was "The Ballad Of Randolph Turpin" complete with period news sound clips.

After a short break Act Two : Upstream or "Change" if you prefer commences in a similar vein and continues the narrative to it's optimistic conclusion before the "Electric Folklore" encore restores the normal gig parameters, Mike let's rip and encourages people out of their seats through "Strength", "Spirit Of '76" and "Blaze Of Glory" and then shouted out each night unique requests bringing a wildcard conclusion to an amazing evening!

If you are lucky enough to be going to one of the remaining dates I hope you loved it as much as I did!