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DON'T
TRY THIS AT HOME!

York
28/06/04
By
Lizzy B

Old
man, young woman, fiona, keith, tina, and Jim
I
got to York OK from work then took an unconventional route to our
hotel (some would say I was lost, but I felt I was absorbing the
atmosphere). With help from Tina, found the carpark (secure 7pm
to 7am - I was impressed) and the hotel, which leaves the hot drinks
machine on all night - very impressed.
We
planned to meet in the lobby and after a detour when a Nice Young
Man leaning out of his room fooled me into thinking it was the lift
(thought it was Jim, Tina's lad)- honest. Fortunately Jim knew the
way and swiftly swept us through the streets of York to Fibbers.
Tiny
venue, nice people, Because this was the Most Northern Show and
because the East Coast Mainline is so wonderful, there were people
from Afar North. Old Man and his daughter Young Woman, and Fiona
and Billy we'd met at the Liquid Room in Edinburgh - they had said
next time come and stay with us
Scottish Keith greeted
us - he was getting the 12.45 train back which seemed very decent
compared with recent London Stories. Chris Jones was there to take
photos. I hadn't realised he lived near York - thought he was one
of them southerners.

We
were followed in by Paul Harrison and friend (coops) who decided,
on the strength of the Jacket that we were groupies and pointed
out Mike R as the guitarist - fair game for any true groupie (sorry,
mike, that's what they said). Mike started the night in an England
shirt, Progressed (?) to Scotland, wore a more conventional one
on stage, then a red teeshirt on and off later. We couldn't find
The Man to check out about the video, so we stowed the tripods under
the merchandise table. Mike said he'd check for us.
Chris
Helms was excellent, that's all, just excellent. Troels and Kose
started setting up. Then Mike came out to confirm that Arthur did
want the show recording - hurray and hurry, we got the tripods and
Tina went to the spot she'd pre- determined was the best, stage
side left and we were off, so close it was impossible to zoom out
far enough to get all of Arthur's body in. Does this band ever stop
improving? The stage was tiny so we didn't get much athleticism,
but everyone was great, though looking a little tired, presumably
after a long drive from Wales. I've put my setlist in A Safe Place,
but when I find it I'll pass it on.

Tina the disco
queen
in full DQ mode with Kose
After
the show we hung around for a while with the Scottish Contingent.
Billy wanted Fiona to leave but I told him about how this is how
it is
my old man tolerates my Arthur Lee obsession pretty
well - drove me 400 miles once. We went outside, saw a tired looking
Arthur briefly then Jim led us to The Evil Eye. It was an interesting
walk - past whip ma wop ma gate and shops. That Coops was licking
shop windows on the way (could've been the display of intimate apparel).
A secret knock on the door and we were in. We had a lot of fun -
Fiona was so happy she'd hung round and was taking to the Lifestyle
pretty well. Young Woman was the centre of much photo-taking and
hugs from Older Men. Tina got up to dance when the disco tracks
came on, so we joined in: (Disco inferno, Superstitious and Billericay
Dickie) and there was a bit of shirt throwing, but all very good
natured. Jim disappeared (well when yer ma gets up and boogies it
can be challenging) One of those nights you just don't want to end,
but since we had to get up early for work the following day we took
off in search of a kebab and the hotel.
Tina
and I ended up in the kebab shop opposite the hotel. A young man
of York introduced himself - said he felt an affinity with our tripods..
whereas his pal couldn't. We stuck with the pal who wouldn't believe
any Rock Legends ever came to York, much less American ones. He
was regaling us with tales of his visit to LA when Rusty walked
in followed by Other Usual Suspects. Well he had to believe us then.
Our
cars were locked up so we couldn't offer anyone a lift. We rolled
across the road for a short night's sleep. Looking out of my window
I could see the troupe leaving the kebab house. Goodnight York.
Highlight of my night was Arthur knows my name - unfortunately he
used it on Tina but hey it's a start. Next stop Bilston and the
Robin2.
SCOTTISH
ROSE RECORDINGS
www.thefreedomman.com
=====
Mike Randle
travelsongs@yahoo.com

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