Review of Face Value at Halfway House Pub in Ashton near Manchester
on 15/6/01
Another superb show last night guys. I first came across these guys
about 12 months ago and they just get better and better. A full
house gave the boys are great reception and they certainly rose to
the occasion. From the opening Mama John Wilkinson was on top form
(great laugh, John). Playing for just under two hours (bit shorter
than I remember last time) Face Value put everything into the show
and had the crowd by the balls.
Will Smith (no relation) and Tony Cole are very accomplished
musicians and provide a great sound to complemet John Wilkinson's
vocals. Will is a great guitarist who has obviously studied Mr
Stuermer and plays some superb solos. Billy and Easy Lover stand out
for me. Tony Cole plays great keyboards (absolutely spot on solo in
Follow You/Me) and piano in Afterglow. He also does some singing in
Easy Lover. Drums are sequenced and to be honest sound just like the
"real" drum machines that Genesis and Phil use.
To top all this John not only sounds uncanilly like Phil Collins, but
has the power and personality to keep it going all night. I have
seen a few Phil Collins tribute vocalists and none come anywhere
close to John.
Highlights of the show were (for me) Many Too Many (my all time
favourite), No Son Of Mine, Jesus He Knows Me, In The Air Tonight,
Easy Lover and an acoustic version of Afterglow (a la Genesis
Songbook) with just piano and vocals - what a treat!
Just one comment for John, try a bit of velcro on that microphone (or
get one that bounces)! Oh yes, and everyone enjoyed the woman
getting up and dancing to Abacab???!!! Don't know how you kept your
face straight there John.
Face Value don't do Gabriel stuff, but when it comes to Collins solo
and Collins Genesis stuff these guys are without doubt the dogs
dangly bits.
Great sound, superb musicianship and brilliant vocals. Listening to
the crowd it sounded as if most of them were heading for the next gig
in Hyde. I can't make that one (sob).
Catch these guys if you can. I can recommend a great night.
Set List:
Mama, Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Against All Odds, No
Son Of Mine, Don't Lose My Number, Jesus He Knows Me, Many Too Many,
Follow You Follow Me, In The Air Tonight, I Can't Dance, Land Of
Confusion, Abacab, Invisible Touch, You Can't Hurry Love, Two Hearts,
Sussudio, That's All, Easy Lover, Afterglow.
Ray.
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