Newsgroups: alt.music.stone-roses
Subject: Stuff (for real)
From: bburciul@is.dal.ca (Barry Burciul)
Date: 27 May 95 20:30:27 -0300

I just got back from seeing the Roses in Boston and NYC (Webster Hall), so I thought I'd give my biased impressions. The Boston show was very, very good...but not spectacular. Ian had to keep giving subtle instructions to the sound guy, and at one point, he went to the side of the stage and glared at him like he was ready to kill. At a couple of points, Ian omitted a line from a given song - he didn't forget it, I think he's just recognized the limitations of his voice and decided not to "challenge" it. (Hence, no "Tears"). John was amazing, Mani was solid, and Robbie was great. Not only did he do a good job as a replacement for Reni, he also gave some of the songs a new twist - especially a juiced-up version of Daybreak.

I showed up early for the Boston show, and got the chance to talk with Ian for a few minutes outside the club before soundcheck. He was incredibly nice, very low-key. (Keeping his voice down to a whisper, and sucking on a lollipop). He had to keep telling people who asked about old songs (Elephant Stone, Sally, This Is The One) "We don't do that anymore." I asked if he thought people were obsessed with the old stuff, and he said "It's understandable, they've never seen us live, so they want to hear their favourites. It's just been really tight with only having Robbie for a few weeks." He said they want to play every city they can in an upcoming tour, including the southern U.S.

A brief digression: there are three problems with the idiots who are calling the Roses "arrogant". First, that isn't the case - ask anyone (except journalists!) who has spoken to Ian. Secondly, how do you measure arrogance? If you want a bunch of friendly banter from someone on stage, go to a fucking comedy club. Thirdly, I'm puzzled as to why some people (most of them are Americans - but this isn't meant to insult all American fans) would even CARE if a band is arrogant. This is rock music - not a dinner party. Shut up, stop whining, and LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

Ahem. On to New York, where (despite a 2 hour delay after the doors opened) the show was INCREDIBLE. Ian sounded great, even on Resurrection (I have some bootlegs where he sounds wretched). John was inspired, and Robbie had a nice reception when he came up front for the acoustic set. 

The songs played (in order) were:
I Wanna Be Adored / She Bangs The Drums / Waterfall / Ten Storey Love Song/ Daybreak / Breaking Into Heaven / Your Star Will Shine / Tightrope / Elizabeth My Dear / Driving South / I Am The Resurrection / Love Spreads / Made of Stone / Good Times / Fool's Gold

The crowd applauded for about 15 minutes after the encore, and screamed whenever one of the band pulled back the curtain in their room at the balcony level of Webster Hall.

I'm a satisfied customer, and I'm looking forward to the live album later this year! In fact, it was really fun to hear the old stuff in the way it was meant to be heard. I used to think that John Leckie might be largely responsible for the Roses' greatness, now I think the first album succeeded in spite of his muffled production. 

Made of Stone, for example, was entirely different live. 

Great stuff.

Barry B.