London June 14th 02, Queen Elizabeth Hall.

If Jim Morrison had dropped off in his bath, banged his head and slipped
into a coma and recovered some years later. Or Jimi Hendrix had managed to
cough all that vomit up the next morning, it would be like seeing Arthur Lee
again after six years in jail. I never expected to hear songs like Bummer in
the Summer and between Clark and Hilldale performed with such majesty by
their creator again. I hate to say it, because it was obviously no joke
being in there, but jail has surely been the best career move for Arthur
Lee. It has been like a return from the dead. I have been in a state of hero
worship since 1970 when he played Leeds Polytechnic.(I even got to interview
him for the University paper.)I was recharged in 1974 at the Rainbow. I
caught a glimpse of him outside the Garage in Highbury on his last tour,
unable to get tickets Arthur obligingly came out, gave two tickets to two
pretty girls and went back in with them. But tonight he paid it all back.
The best band he has ever had. The best attitude to his music and so kind
and considerate to his audience. He looked genuinely moved by our ecstatic
reaction. Two encores were not enough. Such wonderful, complex songs. So
original. The blues to Bachrach and back. A unique musical vision. Great to
see people singing along who weren't born when Forever Changes came out. I
heard Arthur described as "The Master" by someone behind me. Well for all
today's hot guitar slingers he must be. Welcome back Arthur. We've missed
you more than we knew. As someone called out "Why don't you come and live
here?" It would be safer. I look forward eagerly to the Forever Changes
tour.

PS: Our mayor Ken Livingstone has quoted Forever Changes as his favourite
album on Desert Island Discs. "Play anything from it" he said. I wonder if
he was there.

Julian Moseley, 15th June 02, London