CBDS_MKII
Echo and the Bunnymen cause a storm with their performance of Ocean Rain17 September 2008 - More than 25 years after they first played at the Royal Albert Hall, Echo and the Bunnymen returned to perform their album Ocean Rain in Full.The record was the band’s 4th studio album. It was released in 1984 and reached number 4 in the UK album charts.It was during the recording of Ocean Rain in 1983 that the Liverpool four-piece showcased some of the tracks at a gig at the Royal Albert Hall, which is why it was fitting that it should be played there again, all these years later.Speaking to 6 Music news earlier in the week Ian McCulloch revealed that it had taken over a year of pestering the venue to allow them to play there at the time: "They'd decided there was going to be no more bands after a Mott the Hoople gig in 1973. There had been trouble and some damage had been done," he explained."Our manager and promoter would go in and play our acoustic tracks to the people in charge of the hall to prove we weren’t a rock band. I think they played them Simon and Garfunkel and said that was us."25 years later however, and the crowd look like they were the same ones there all that time ago.The gig was split into two halves and during the first set the Bunnymen played a selection of hits from albums other than Ocean Rain.The most memorable moments were tracks such as Nothing Ever Lasts Forever - which reached number 8 in the UK singles charts when it was released in 1997 - and Lips Like Sugar taken from their 1987 record Echo and the Bunnymen.The group also aired some new material which, far from the melancholy jangly genius of Ocean Rain, sounded like straight forward rock and roll with sing-along, almost anthemic choruses.But Ian McCulloch reckons their forthcoming record, which is set to be called The Fountain, is their best work since Ocean Rain: "The new album is ready and it'll be out in January. It's fantastic and there are some songs on it that are - I don't want to say are as good as The Killing Moon because The Killing Moon is the benchmark and no-one has come close to that not even me - but there's a song called the Idleness of Goldsworth which is unbelievable."The banter between the band and the crowd was minimal but towards the end of the first set, McCulloch announced a break and said it would be a good chance for people, "to get a butty or something."After the interval they returned to the stage all dressed in suits apart from McCulloch who swaggered on last in his trademark sunglasses and long black fur coat.They continued to play Ocean Rain from beginning to end with live orchestral backing and atmospheric lighting. The sound bounced beautifully off all four walls of the venue and McCulloch’s voice sounded as strong as ever.Projected onto screens at either side of the stage, were photographs of the band's earlier gigs and their time spent recording Ocean Rain in Paris.McCulloch told 6 Music he had fond memories of the making of the album, recalling: "We did the bulk of it in Paris. It was my idea to go to Paris and Rob the boss of Warners at the time said, 'Macca why do you really want to go to Paris. It's not to go to make the record is it?' And I said 'yeah it is. I just think I'd sing it differently or perfectly if it was done in Paris.'"And then he added: "And obviously I ran out of time in Paris and I ended up doing to vocals in Kirby which is in Liverpool. But from what I can remember Paris was beautiful. We picked the most beautiful city maybe apart from Liverpool."Back to the gig though and obvious highlights were The Killing Moon, Silver and Seven Seas which saw some of the crowd dare to get out of their seats and start dancing.Others mimed the guitar parts whilst still sitting, but the majority of the audience was definitely on good form and responding well to the performance.The album ends on the title track after which the band waved and walked off stage to rapturous applause and a standing ovation.There was no encore or curtain call but fans kept clapping until the lights came on and it was time to head back to waiting babysitters.Outside the response from punters was overwhelmingly positive: "I’ve seen Echo and the Bunnymen 25 to 30 times and that was the absolute dogs dangly bits," said one fan."It was fantastic. With the orchestra behind them it was a whole new experience. The sound was brilliant. They had lots of fans there from across the years and they were all loving it," gushed another.It was a classic album in a classic venue and as McCulloch had hoped it was certainly an experience Bunnymen devotees will remember for years to come: "I wanted to get the Band somewhere - in a venue that we should be in. I wanted something really religious to be done and I thought I know what we should do Ocean Rain in the Royal Albert Hall."
under_the_arches
really glad I missed that. :mad:I will be reminding my son for years to come now that he made me miss it due to his illness. Still I have got the memories of Southampton Guidhall 1998, when the song Ocean Rain glided up to the stars
Sir_Gaylord_Retardo
Such a good night. It was so sureal, sitting in our box, looking around the Albert Hall at all the other boxes, sat there so lovely, then looking at our's, full of Northern Loons singing dancing and shouting. We really did have the greatest box in the Albert Hall. The venue was perfect for the occasion. As always the greatest hits were fucking brilliant. His vocals were good, mind you I thought parts of Nothing Lasts for Ever weren't as strong as they can be. The finished the first set with my fave the Cutter which prompter Rudi to pen the ditty, We've the best boxIn the Albert Hall......The bestest box of all........Its better than them all........The first half was good but Ocean Rain was fucking perfect. The Orchestra was amazing. The strings and drums really added to the theatrical setting. Anoter plus about having a box is you can play the drums on the front. Was wondering if they'd do an encore because the album ends on Ocean Rain, it doesn't really end with an anthem. However, in that setting, with the strings and the lights, it was one of the most beautiful songs Ive ever heard performed at a gig.I think the euthoric Thorn of Crowns was the highlight for me. Id been at a funeral all day and dashed striaght to Kensington for this. Were'nt really in the mood for a night out but it turned out to be the best night Ive had all year. Thanks CBDS, you're a star.
under_the_arches
I am really now sick as a pig :(. I knew it was going to be special
CBDS_MKII
I've got a bootleg of this coming if anyone is interested.
under_the_arches
Yes please :P
Sir_Gaylord_Retardo
That would be good. Give me a shout when you get it.
kaydubya
Odd_Job
Went to see them at Liverpool Arena last night. The venue as arenas go is pretty good, not as long or steep as Sheffield or Manchester. We were standing and had a great view. All seats seemed to be taken.Bunnymen as at Albert Hall played two sets - first one was like a greatest hits and a little lack lustre. They were definitely better at Bingley. They seem to string out "Nothing Lasts Forever" longer and longer each time. Would give it a 6/10.Second set - Ocean Rain played with the orchestra was class and better in every way, the band seemed to be more up for it and the light show was a vast improvement on the first set. 9/10Ended up on Matthew Street visiting "The Grapes" and "Flanagans" which was interesting to say the least.
Smutty_Lips
They are playing a good venue in Malaga in January, it sounds as if they might be worth seeing.
luxury_scruff
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Travis_Bickle
Angela Rayner sporting an 'Ocean Rain' face mask in the H of C today.....
SardineTree
Travis_Bickle
Do they do a Stone Roses one?
fuzzy
Anchor
SardineTree Cue Roses first album discussion.
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Under-the-ground
Saw them last night in Cardiff. They were really good. McCulloch was in fine voice even seemed happy. They mixed the set list up. A show of strength & flowers. I haven’t listed to that album for ages. Will dig it out.
but will sargeants playing was faultless. The solo in killing moon was the best I have heard him do m, like being in heaven. A great night
Jon
Under-the-ground Killing Moon is on another level. Maybe the best single of the 80s? I wonder what it feels like to write something so perfect?
Is that American bloke, Kelly Stolz still playing with them?
fuzzy
Jon Have you seen the interview of Mac talking about writing it Jon? Apparently its the chords to Space Oddity backwards and the words for the chorus came to him in a dream. I still feel blown away listening to Ocean Rain at times. Just so good. Thorn of Crowns is one of my favourite songs.
Jon
fuzzy I haven't. Logs onto You Tube.
Loose_Lips
fuzzy Apparently its the chords to Space Oddity backwards and the words for the chorus came to him in a dream.
But the chorus is one of a kind. G Major to C Minor and back. Very odd in british song writing. Spanish even.
Mega_Armageddon_Chickens
I think Ocean Rain is great but for some reason I just don't like The Killing Moon.