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Some personal concert reviews

Reviews from myself / Jens Koch / Richard Veit / Jeff Borger

My very personal memories:

Generally said it was very much a so called "unplugged" concert. Apart from some keyboard accompanyments there were only acoustic instruments.
Song order:
(This review refers specifically to the Bournemouth show, but the choice and order of songs was the same in all U.K. concerts)
You Can Tell The World
A powerful opener. They started playing while still being behind the curtain and then coming on stage playing. This made already clear from the beginning, that it should be a goodbye-concert with no depressing mood, but full of joy and excitement.
Both Keith on his 12 string and Bruce played a fantastic rhythmn guitar.
In Bournemouth Keith had some problems with the amplifier of his guitar, but seems to didn't bother too much about that, so Bruce played a little bit louder.
Love Is Kind Love Is Wine
This announcement of this song was used for a general welcome to the audience. In Bournemouth, Judith made on stage a special remark about the visitors to the concert from all over the world, who get to know each other by an internet group (she meant us !!!!!!!) This made us very proud.
The acoustic version of this song was unusual but gave it a new dimension. Judith had some problems with her voice that evening, so she sang it a little bit differently. Really not bad.
When The Stars Begin To Fall
This was the first song producing a lumb in my throat. Beautifully sung by an angel who found the way on that stage with a very decent instrumental backing by the boys.
This Train
On this song Keith played for the first time the 5-string banjo. Actually, he did not play it, but his fingers "danced" on the strings. Absolutely amazing. Bruce did a solid rhythm guitar and then there was Athol with his cool and relaxed acoustis bass playing.
It was the first song, where each of the members got some solo lines to sing. I (and not only me) was surprised about the "good singing job" Athol did. I think his vocal capabilities should have been used more often.
Judith was imitating with her voice a train whistle, which brought a bit of humour to it.
Morningtown Ride
What should I say about this song. Now definitely everybody of the audience sang along. It was pure exitement for everybody. With this song some first signs of tears in my eyes joined the lumb in my throat. Next to me somebody from Denmark (guess who) was sitting, who was completely "lost" in this song, which was and still seems to be his most favoured one. As an intermediate encore they sang the chorus once more.
When Will The Good Apples Fall
For this song, Judith left her usual place on stage (between Athol and Bruce) and went to the left side of the stage. An air of a little melancholy filled the concert hall when hearing her sing so beautifully. Again she got full audience support.
Red Rubber Ball
When introducing this song, it was pointed out, that it was a co-writing with Paul Simon. In difference to the 25 year-live CD Bruce did not start singing the song slightly out of tune. Everything worked out fine.
Puff (The Magic Dragon)
They said they plaid this song as a tribute to Peter, Paul & Mary. And it was really nice. They got special support in singing along by the smaller ones in the audience (i.e. age below 12, especially by Kayleigh next to me)
The Light From The Lighthouse
This was and is a typical life song. They included the usual nonsense rhymes and specially Keith did some "stage show" by mimmicking the stage attitudes of some rock heroes (well - hello Mick J.).
The interpretation as a whole was driving and forceful. My godness what an energy they showed on stage.
Medley - Open Up Them Pearly Gates, We Shall Not Be Moved etc
Again banjo-time for Keith and this medley was one of the hightlights for me. The instrumental skills of Athol, Bruce and Keith were clearly demonstrated.
Songs like this earn at least 200 - 300 % when being played live instead of in the studio. Especially We shall not be moved with the absolute stunning and powerful vocals of Judith (despite voice problems in Bournemouth) were nearly two minutes of continuous goose bumps for me.
INTERVAL
I'll Never Find Another You
Hearing this song as a starter for the second part was a little bit of surprise.
Now I can say I heard that famous 12-string lick by Keith live and that was something. With that song to start we all were back on our high feelings immediately. For me it is still and will still be the definite Seekers song. From now on I was facing lumbs in my throat, goose bumps and signs of water in my eyes more or less continuously.
With that song they made in London the announcement that Tom Springfield was in the audience.
Someday One Day
The good and uplifting atmosphere created by "Another you" continued.
What was so thrilling, not only with this song, was that you could always clearly identify the individual voices and instruments. There was no "sound mash".
Walk With Me
Beautiful and quite emotional. I was very happy that they played this song, which for me is the slightly melancholic counterpart of "Another you"
Shores Of Avalon
With this song I want to pay my tribute to the absolute stunning guitar work by Bruce. This was folk finger picking at its best.
Keith concentrated on some musical accents with his 6 string.
(If Keith was playing 6 string, it was mainly a small bodied one, whereas Bruce was mainly playing a full / big bodied acoustic guitar. Much too my surprise, his famous black acoustic guitar known from the 25-years-video, appeared only once and then played by Keith)
So the main guitar work in this song was done by good old Bruce, who also introduced this song. There were hardly any inaccuracies and even less mistakes to hear in his guitar play.
In this song the audience got also a verse to sing.This song is really a gemstone.
You're My Spirit
I was happy to hear this uplifting song, which was a return to more lively songs in the concert. Athol should have been involved in composing more often, if the results are like this.
(Some words about Athol. He really is the anchorman on stage with his cool and relaxed playing of the acoustic bass. His slogan seems to be "No hurry just take it easy", he has such a laid back style of playing his instrument)
Colours Of My Life
Keith introduced this song giving a remark also to Graham Simpson's book with the same title. Judith welcomed the co-writer David Reilly in the audience in Bournemouth. Again a lot of sing along by the audience (as in nearly all the songs) and a goose bumps producer for Richard V. - member of the Plucked String Mafia ;-)
For Keith was this one of the songs, where he played his 12-string on very high notes, with a capodaster at least on the 7th or 8 th fret. His playing confirmed why I love the sound of a good played 12-string quitar so much. (I am a member of the Plucked String Mafia, too)
Bush Girl
Judith sat herself on stool on the right side of the stage, got her solo light spot and then she sung again with her angel-like voice. The boys did a fantastic finger-picking job on her guitars.
I have never been a big fan of that song, but when Judith (in Bournemouth) sang it, just in front of my seat and only 5 meters away, there was something happening in me...............and I needed to hold the hand of my wife Bärbel next to me
Myra
You have to hear this song live and see the fun the Seekers have when playing it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really great and exciting, especially when also seeing Kayleigh dancing on the lap of Richard Veit . Pure fun and joy and excitement.
Athol gave the dancing of Kayleigh a special remark after the song in Bournemouth.
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
That song was a big surprise for me. Gospels are really some of the very very strong feet in the repertoire of the Seekers. Judith voice was sometimes sharp like a knife, then beautiful like an angel.
No need to say that Mr. 5-string Keith got a job on his banjo again, and did it well.
I Was Born Ten Thousand Years Ago
Judith left the stage for this song and so it was the solo of the boys. A funny song, mainly living from the lyrics and the hidden and obvious humour in it.
In Germany we know this melody, too and we sing it along with a chorus starting "We are coming from the blue montains, our teacher is a stupid as we .....".
At least the boys (including Athol again) could show their vocal capabilities.
This Is My Song
The solo for Judith, just accompanied by a keyboard only. Not really a Seekers song, but a nice way to make a "tour de force" through the capabilities of Judith's singing.
Keep A Dream In Your Pocket
The boys returned and mandoline time for Bruce. Played not much different to the live version on the video.
Georgy Girl
Keith took the whistling job at the beginning (maybe supported by the keyboard). The audience was slowly starting to stand to their feet. The excitement grew. Everybody sang along. And certainly the audience took over the job to sing "a little bit". The bridge in the middle of the song was played without the 12-string lick. Really fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!
For me it was very very emotional and I held the hand of my wife Bärbel for nearly all the song. Georgy Girl was back in 1967 my first Seekers song and my first single ever bought. I am so thankful that finally, after 33 year I was lucky to experience this with her.
The Carnival Is Over
Into the applause for Georgy Girl the Seekers started to play that song.
The right song at the right place. Again very emotional, as I could read alone from the faces of Surfin' Seekers members surrounding me.
A World Of Our Own
This was the encore. And now, especially after the Bournemouth show I was lost in my feelings. I tried to sing along, but I failed several times. It was so moving. And to see how much also the Seekers enjoyed singing it and that also they were (at least a little bit) touched by the reaction from the audience.
As a little additional encore they sang the chorus once again.
This moment, together with my wife, I will never forget in my life. What a great moment to share with someone, whom I am so close to.

To continue, here is a comment from our "viking" Jens Koch from Denmark:

............I was really pleased to hear and watch Keith's 12-string guitar playing.
For many people the 12-string is just a novelty instrument, but for me there have been many 12-string heroes: Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Glen Campbell, Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin, John Denver and Gene Clark (and the other Byrds) - and it was very satisfactory to see that Keith was not just playing his 12-string as a rhythmic instrument or for a few extraordinary licks as in e.g. "I'll Never Find Another You" but as a melody-carrier as well in many songs, especially "Colours of My Life".
I was impressed at Athol's casual yet competent bass-playing, and I simply marvelled at the way that Judith seemed to be one with her audience. And I loved the fact that the instruments were clearly audible and not drowned out by the backing musicians (who were very discreet)....................

Jens has an own marvellous homepage, containing much more of his personal impressions apart from a lot of other interesting things.
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/belvedere/226/seekers.htm So you do have to visit that site.

Now we are with our "texasman" Richard Veit (member of the plucked string mafia :-) ) who gives a sum up of all his 5 concerts:

Bournemouth was something very special, inasmuch as about twenty of us Surfin' Seekers were able to join our Fab Four backstage after the concert. Bruce was aloof on this particular occasion, but the others were cordial -- especially Judith, whose friendliness brings a warm feeling to everyone she meets. We are indebted to the splendid organizational abilities of Peter Otten, who arranged for this post-concert meeting.
The concert itself was magical, though Keith's unplugged 12-string caused a technical distraction during the opening number, and JD was in the throes of a voice problem that robbed her of the highest notes.
Still, the BIC rocked with ovation after ovation. Kayleigh received a mention from Athol for her energetic rendition of "Myra" while sitting on my lap in the front row. Following the concert, she was hoisted on stage by Peter Otten to present David Smith's beautiful bouquet to Judith Durham.

On Saturday, a Surfin' Seekers get-together was held. As arranged by Marjorie Hillman, we travelled by double-decker coach (and then land train) out to a remote restaurant for some lively chatter among our Seekerian family. Many of our troupe, including the Ottens, then departed for home after emotional goodbyes.
That left me with the driving responsibilities, and we put more than 800 miles on our rental car. For a Yank, driving on the left side of the road was an experience in itself. David Smith and Richard Saunders are both very good navigators, and I owe a debt of gratitude to them!

Cardiff was memorable for two reasons -- Judith's miraculous recovery of her voice and the individual post-concert visits by Athol, Bruce, Keith, and Judith, who all mingled with their fans in the chilly midnight air. Bruce was by now in much better spirits, and indeed showed himself to be a most agreeable chap! All four Seekers seemed genuinely pleased to chat, shake hands, and sign autographs. We arrived back in Weymouth at around 4:15. (Yawn!)

Monday's Birmingham concert was perhaps the finest musically of the five I attended. As the NEC stage was being struck after the concert, David Smith and his older brother, Graham, met Judith Durham for a photo, taken by Judith's personal assistant, Rebekah Booth. David also received two priceless mementos -- guitar picks from Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger.

The Seekers' final public concert ever, in the Manchester Evening News Arena, was preceded by a fun meeting of kindred spirits in a bar alongside the Mitre Hotel. The concert was spellbinding, with the foursome in excellent voice throughout.
In the circumstances, "The Carnival Is Over" carried an added bit of poignance. Although the finale ("A World of Our Own") was much appreciated by the standing audience, I, for one, was rather disappointed that nothing additional was introduced into the repertoire on this historic occasion. No sad farewells, no tears from the stage, no encore. I do believe that "It Hurts to Say Goodbye" would have been apropos, but, alas, it was not meant to be. The midnight greeting, as The Seekers alighted from their monster coach, was anticlimactic. Again, there was no unusual show of emotion, no tugging of the heartstrings, no sense of bittersweet parting. They simply climbed aboard the coach and disappeared into the night. Dare I sense that this is not really the end?

My journey to the United Kingdom was a dream come true, finally seeing The Seekers perform in person after being an avid fan for nearly 35 years. And the memories will last a lifetime.
One happy bonus of the concert tour was the opportunity to meet so many wonderful Seekers fans. It is certainly enjoyable to be able to connect faces to the names. Long may this chatgroup live!.............

Also Richard is webmaster of an own websitee about the Seekers (mainly their song lyrics), http://www.baylor.edu/~Richard_Veit which is worth a visit

This is the personal report from another "North American Tribe" member, Jeff Borger from sunny Florida who went to the slightly chilly latitudes of Scotland

............Well, now that I caught up with my sleep here are a few more ramblings about the Seekers concerts I attended in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 
Both shows had the identical song lineup and in between song pattern.  The lineup of songs included "most" of their hits, although a few favorites were missing (of course hard to include them all, despite advertising they would!).  There were a few surprises like a complete "puff the magic dragon." 
I was quite bowled over by their voices....certainly in their prime and simply a marvel to listen to! 
......The next night in Glasgow I had a front row center seat and as I said before it was like a private concert.  They invited the audience to sing along and it was almost like I was a fellow Seeker looking right at them singing along!!! 
I was surprised that they didn't sing any of the upbeat songs from Future Road, opting for the ballads.  

........The concerts were such an emotional uplifting experience people wanted a memory to hang on to.........  The Seekers music is such an island in the musical trash of today...well worth the ten hour plane trip!....................

It should be said here that Jeff was the guest of our member Linda C. and her husband, who went with him to the Edinburgh concert. So another "mini Surfin' Seekers - get-together".

We should not forget the website of Patrick Jarvis, with the greatest collection of different concert reviews.  http://www.pjervis.freeserve.co.uk

Some press reviews from UK newspapers I have included on another page. Click here!!!!

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