The last time Trevor Horn stood on the hallowed stage of the legendary City Hall in Newcastle was back in 1980 with Yes, as part of their tour in support of their Drama album. Horn along with Geoff Downes had recently departed Electronic Pop outfit, The Buggles’ to replace Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman in Yes, much to the chagrin of a section of their fiercely partisan fan base.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then with Horn going on to become one of the most recognisable and in demand producers throughout the 80s and beyond scoring hits with Yes, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Seal, Propaganda, Grace Jones and many others.
With Horn, born and raised down the road in Durham this was an extra special evening celebrating his lifetime’s work with many friends and family here to see him.
Befitting such a titan of the industry, Horn had assembled a band of top class musicians including Lol Cream from 10cc on guitar and keyboards and Jakko Jakszyk, vocalist and guitarist with Prog giants, King Crimson making up a six piece band along with three singers and a 5-piece brass section.
With such a vast catalogue of songs to draw from whether as a band member, writer, collaborator or producer it was rather tricky fitting it all in but for almost two hours Horn and his hugely impressive band did just that.
Kicking off with two Number One hit singles was always going to set off things with a bang and Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Two Tribes” was suitably explosive with a swift turn into some Electronic Pop magic of “Video Killed The Radio Star” by the Buggles before heading into the laidback Godley and Creme song, “Cry” and the more rowdy “Rubber Bullets” by 10cc.
Quite a start and much, much more to follow with a super Funky romp through Grace Jones’s “Slave To The Rhythm” and an electrifying “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” by Yes.
Major highlights came with Frankie’s “Power of Love” and “I’m Not In Love” by 10cc where Jakko’s vocals were smooth, emotive yet powerful. Quite, quite brilliant.
Further Buggles gems came in the form of the super catchy “Living In The Plastic Age”, “Elstree” and “Clean Clean” while Frankie’s “Relax” nearly took the roof off.
Probably the biggest surprise of the night was a stunning take on Tatu’s “All The Things She Said” featuring an enormous sound, towering melody and some wonderful harmonies.
As expected from a producer whose attention to sound quality is his trademark, the sound throughout the night may well have been the best this Hall has heard in decades. It was huge, multi-layered yet so clear with each vocal and instrument so clearly defined showing that much care and attention had been put into this show.
Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” for which Horn won a Grammy, showed true class while a lively take on “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears brought the hit quota to well over double figures in a fitting end to a celebration of a life’s work of one of Durham’s most successful sons.
Be the first to comment