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CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY
Live Review
OLIVER WAKEMAN BAND
Soliloquy
Herringthorpe Leisure Centre, Rotherham
November 25, 2005
“We haven’t done this before,” claimed a delighted Oliver Wakeman
as he joined forces with a surprise guest artist for an exhilarating
keyboard dual. The man who leapt on stage to join in the fun was
none other than Mr. Rick Wakeman, rock legend and Oliver’s guide,
mentor and dad. His presence enlivened a special CRS event to
launch Oliver’s latest album ‘Mother’s Ruin’. Oliver and his band
were greeted with cheers and they responded by playing with dazzling
skill and infectious enthusiasm.
Clad in a red velvet jacket with long blonde hair flowing, Oliver
charmed the audience with good humour and thrilled them with a
blistering performance backed by a powerhouse rock band. Proudly
watching his son in action from the side of the stage, Rick confided
he had never urged Oliver to become a musician. “It’s something
he wanted to do and he’s done all by himself.”
CRS supreme Martin Hudson, practically welded to his mobile phone,
introduced the show. He was concerned that the artists and audience
would not make it through the blizzards predicted to cut off Rotherham
from the outside world. As it turned out the snow stayed away
and the bands, including support act Soliquy, generated enough
energy to heat the entire building.
As Oliver’s lads took over the stage and plugged in their amps,
Rick greeted his offspring in the dressing room. The latter was
greatly cheered at the sight of dad who’d battled his way from
the frozen West Country. Martin Hudson then hauled Rick on stage
to greet the audience and there was much banter and many a bawdy
joke.
The band now includes Paul Manzi (vocals), Paul Brown (bass),
David Mark Pearce (guitar) and Dave Wagstaffe (drums) and they
played with commanding confidence. David in crushed velvet jacket
and black leather trousers proved a dynamic guitarist, ready to
match Oliver’s dazzling solos. Paul Manzi asserted his front man
credentials with a remarkably powerful, melodic voice especially
effective on the ballads.
There were many highlights during a vastly entertaining set, but
when Rick joined Oliver for their impromptu ‘Wakeman Boogie’ it
was the most fun at a gig since Jimi Hendrix set fire to his guitar.
Well, okay, since Arthur Brown set fire to his hat? It was just
one of those special moments.
Even more special were numbers like ‘Don’t Come Running,’ ‘Calling
For You’ and ‘The Agent’ a bitter diatribe about a less than honest
music business personage. As well as offering self-serving personal
advice to the composer, this reprobate was capable of admitting
“I’ve been lying to you all along and if you think I’m here for
the music you’re wrong.”). After this blistering performance Oliver
told how much he enjoyed playing with his team of great musicians,
adding cautiously: ‘Maybe they’re all round the back now, forming
their own band!”
Another hotspot was Dave Wagstaffe’s dynamic solo. As Dave attacked
his kit, the rest of the guys left the stage and were a tad late
coming back. Maybe they’d gone back for a curry and game of pool,
but it was an exciting showcase number for a drummer whose playing
is crucial to the band’s dynamic cohesion.
“That were bloody brilliant” vowed an enthusiastic lady in the
front row as the show reached a climax with the marvellous ‘I
Don’t Believe In Angels’ and ‘Walk Away. ’ Oliver too confirmed
it had been “A wonderful evening.” Time to celebrate and the Oliver
Wakeman Band headed for their hotel bar, heads held high. Ironically,
on the night the licensing laws were extended to allow 24 hour
drinking, the bar was shut. Oliver’s Army was denied another dose
of ‘Mother’s Ruin’ but the rest of us should place our orders
now!
CHRIS WELCH
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