JAMES : WEMBLEY ARENA 10.12.01 page 2
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by Chris Brown
Well, there was never going to be another James concert quite like this again. In all truth, that statement could be applied to most James gigs down the years - but this time it was going to that bit more unique than ever. Certainly three members of the night would never be seen live with the band again and of course it was Tim Booth¹s big farewell. And that gave Wembley Arena an almost eerie feel as James took to the stage in this form for one last time.
Looking back on it now, its very hard to express the feelings I had and probably most of the crowd shared. Firstly, it was a privilege to be part of Tim Booth's last ever concert for after twenty years with James it was to be a 'were you there?' type of occasion. But then what I felt was despair, for as James kept hammering out the hits we so know and love, you instantly knew you would never hear them played live again - certainly not like this anyway. And you could feel the band were both nervous and anxious....maybe this wouldn't go quite as smoothly as hoped. And above all I and many others felt sadness and at times leading up to that opening song, I really didn¹t want to be there to witness this. Like saying good-bye to a close friend its never easy at the best of times.
But the band were here and were ready to do a job. The first three numbers Laid, Waltzing Along and a Paul Gilbertson dedicated Tomorrow were played tentatively and the first two sounding slightly awkward and forced even. They certainly weren¹t received with as much energy as the fans in Glasgow the previous evening. But as said before this was always going to be a difficult performance especially for the first few songs anyway. But I know what I¹m here for or as Tim seemed to call it Don't Know What I¹m Here For got things moving and settled the nerves. Brilliantly delivered by the band, as always it was a real crowd pleaser. Same could be said of She¹s a Star another song to take its final bow (well, I say final as I can¹t another singer pulling it off as brilliantly as Tim) The song created a real connection between the band and audience as it has done many a time down the years and numerous gigs.
"Oh look it¹s Mr Andrew Diagram" said Tim as the man himself almost in shy but equally charming fashion took the huge applause of the crowd. Like in Glasgow he looked right at home - his trumpeting skills used expertly throughout the night. And firstly we heard them on the roof raising God Only Knows. The crowd loved every second of the song as did Tim who for one final time effortlessly found words to sum up his view of religion and god in the song's mid-section over an ever building crescendo of guitar, drums and keyboard behind him. Like many of James less well known songs it has always been a true gem that no band could come close to emulating. "So now we¹ve covered religion, lets move on to shopping" says Tim.
The turning point of the whole night which still felt a little tense was the surprise return for one last time of the much loved ex-guitarist James Larry Gott. With no offence to Adrian Oxaal or Michael Kulas intended, this is someone who was always missed and never quite replaced. Most of the band who had been full of energy all night so far then left the stage as Tim, Larry and Jim joined together in centre stage to play an acoustic Protect Me. A touching little song which had been overblown on the Seven album returned to its bare essentials tonight and it was much better for it. Not only did it move the audience emotionally, it moved the band too.
Larry continued on-stage for possibly the finest ever Out To Get You and he was immense back playing the lead guitar parts he once commanded like no other. It didn't get any better or more emotional than this. But it certainly was going to be equalled by the more than welcome return of 1985 single Hymn From A Village. It was almost like being transported back into the 80's, the song starting with that cack-handed drumbeat and leading into the Paul Gilbertson's unique guitar playing style, impersonated by both Dave and Larry as always and it helped to remind the audience of just where this amazing band evolved from. Tonight this was something to be treasured as finally all the nerves and tension from the gig had gone. It could now become the perfect farewell party we wanted it to be.
Someone's Got It In For Me was definitely going to be Tim's solo performance of the night. A song that he¹s always been completely and unashamedly proud of and it was sung full of passion as always. It serves to remind us all of how good a singer he is and what he gave this band. The last single Getting Away With It or as Tim described it "James theme song" got the crowd moving and out of their seats again before the glorious English Beefcake was played with another special guest appearance. As the song moved into its closing section, another figure quietly made his way on-stage. This was as the big screens soon revealed James father figure and main producer of the last nine years - Brian Eno. And again it was a privilege to see him together with Tim singing the gorgeous little finale tothe song.
Sometimes had curiously been left out of the set lists opening tracks (unlike at other venues on the tour) so we should have known it was to get special treatment. And indeed Eno stayed on-stage to sing the hymn like choral finale to one of the finest songs ever written. The finale this time was brilliantly stretched out for over two minutes as Dave dipped in and out of his drumbeat underneath the band's continuing vocals. It was the perfect way to hear it done one final time.
With the atmosphere at a real a high, the official last trio of the night began - once more joined by the sublime skills of Andy Diagram. Johnny Yen was delivered wonderfully by the whole band and Andy¹s new trumpet section over the songs climax really lifts the song to a new level. This song must have been done more than ten different ways down the years, each one as good as the next and that's testament to how good a song it is.
Two songs from Seven then came into play to close the set. The first Born of Frustration which will always stand out as a James classic,whipped the crowd into a frenzy right up to Tim's last ever unique vocal cry.
And then Ring the Bells. This song has hardly sounded better in its eleven year life. The song now builds up to a quick fire, intense conclusion with each band member giving their all up to the riotous ending.
Magical. Then, the band briefly leaving the stage before the first encore seemed to leave many fans in sudden realisation that this was all soon to come to an end - yes we all talk and hope for new beginnings but I don¹t for a minute suppose any fan will ever dream it will be as good as this again. And although few tears had already been shed by some fans, but it wasn't over yet.
Adrian, Mark and Jim took the stage and began gently easing into the intro for Top of the World, a song which musically defines everything Tim says in the dreamy lyrics. But by now Mr Booth had made his way to the back of the arena and was singing his heart out in the company of many an adoring fan, all with their arms outstretched trying to get a touch of the person who had so many times touched them emotionally in the past. And it was fitting then that Saul was revealed up on a near stage balcony, playing his heart warming violin notes which often seem to leave the hardest of James fans moved to tears. Tim glared back up at the band he was leaving as the band played back to him and there was a real mutual appreciation for what the two had done for and with each other down the many years of worries and triumphs.
Then back on stage came Tim, Larry, Andy, Mike and Dave as James ended the encore with an epic nine man version of Sound. A song which could only be James was gifted Larry and Adrian¹s joint flashes of guitar, Andy's magical trumpet calls, Mark's ear piercing and futuristic keyboard effects and Saul and Jim's wonderful acoustic reprise before the song built back up to a blazing wall of sound in which typical James fashion, music began to sift through the ever-growing cacophony created. Very special, very unique and altogether very James.
And once more, the band took the applause and ovation of the fans, but we knew they¹d be back. And they were, walking on together for the first and last time as ten members complete with Brian Eno once more. As Tim said to the fans "what do you want to hear?" this led to the only disappointment of the night. Maybe four or five fan requested songs from each James era would be played especially for the occasion? Well......no, that would have been the cherry on the icing on the cake as they say. To have heard such rare songs as What For, What¹s the World or Five-0 or even a b-side would have been nice. But as it were we¹d just have to settle for two of the best James songs ever!
Come Home was a celebration in itself sparked by Andy's trumpet, Mark¹s keyboard line and Larry and Adrian both simultaneously bashing out their different guitar parts from over the years.
But no sooner had it ended when the opening keyboard line to Sit Down had quietly begun. Was this really it? Well unfortunately it was. As before in the tour, the song built up into the anthemic sing along it will always be remembered as. The band just loved every second of it and the fans never looked more animated in the whole night. Once Tim had finished the final chorus, the song was lengthened out just like it was in the early 90's and here at this point there was never a bigger vibe or unity between the band and every fan. And we even got that typical James stage invasion as ten or more people joined the ten onstage members, making the occasion as lively and happy is it got.
Then the song stopped, the huge volume of cheering began and the band left their instruments to join together at the front of the stage one final time. The fans united in singing Sit Down and the night was truly a celebration. James must have stayed at the front of the stage for nearly five full minutes taking in what they thoroughly deserved from the fans. And now I was truly glad to be there.
But then they were gone and so were the fans - some in tears naturally, others expressionless like myself. Maybe I should have cried - I felt like I should be and there so wanted to be. James had played such a big part in my life and my growing up that I felt I deserved to be crying. But I couldn't - partly because at first I was numb with it all and it was a bit much to take in. Though at the end of it all I realised why I wasn¹t crying like so many others ; I was happy. Happy for the band and happy it had all ended in such a perfect way. Most bands come and go without a trace and never get to play a concert like this. But James could not have left their fans any prouder.
History has never seen another band quite like them and the future will probably never conjure up anything as barmy, odd, complex and downright brilliant as James. Tim has now gone along with the likes of Andy, Paul, Larry, Gavan and less noticeably Danny Ram and as always the remaining members will return in some form of that we know. But this final celebration should be how we remember the name James. And why will we remember them? Well, quite simply to oppose what one certain journalist recently wrote, we will remember them because, they mattered!