| CARDIFF / SUNDAY OCTOBER 14 The next morning, we set off for Wales. This is where the tour really started for us. It felt good to be rolling down the motorway and the same easy camaraderie the three of us developed in June soon fell back into place. Although we didn�t know it at the time, it would turn out to be the warmest October since UK records began. Except in Wales, that is. As we crossed the Severn Bridge, it began to rain, just like last time. (�The beer�s warm and it rains all day,� Southside commented during the show, �just like in Jersey.�) That night�s show had originally been scheduled for Bristol, but was soon moved to Cardiff, where BBC Radio 2 were broadcasting a series of live performances from numerous venues in the city. (�This reputed quintessential bar band play a brand of down-to-earth rock, R&B and soul,� announced the Radio 2 website). The Jukes concert was recorded in its entirety and three songs (details later) were aired on the Bob Harris Show on October 20, the first time the full band had played (semi) live on BBC radio since 1989. The show once again took place at the Coal Exchange in the city�s regenerated harbour area. One of the most impressive venues on the June tour, the entirely wood-paneled Victorian hall featured a large clock flanked by Welsh dragons as a stage backdrop. Two other clocks in the foyer announced the times of the high and low tides. It was an easy load-in. Straight off the van, up a couple of steps and through to the stage. If only they were all that simple. This was where Hood began instructing us in the fine art of Jukes pre-gig preparation. We were understandably nervous to begin with, but once we began to realize that most of the onstage wiring belonged to the sound guys and that the band�s equipment was comparatively easy (albeit sometimes cumbersome and top-heavy) to lay out, plug in and turn on, we relaxed a bit. With BBC Radio 2 banners draped around the stage, the Jukes opened with �Take It Inside,� �All I Needed Was You� and �Love On The Wrong Side Of Town.� �We�re being taped by BBC2,� announced Southside, �it�s all we can afford!� Next up was �Gladly Go Blind.� (�That�s Joe Bellia on drums, never heard the song before tonight!�) Joe was, in fact, the perfect replacement for Louie. Having played with the band for over two years, most of the set would have come back to him fairly easily. He mostly just had to learn the songs from the new(ish) album, which wasn�t too difficult. If they�d had to hire a stranger, with no prior knowledge of the songs, it could have been a disaster. The band would have had to stick to a standard set each night and the usual spontaneity and unpredictability would have suffered. Luckily, with Joe behind the kit, normal service was resumed. During the show, it was fascinating to watch Southside�s hand signals, effectively conducting the band, most notably during �Sinful��s slow, jazzy ending and the inspired pairing of �New Coat Of Paint� and �The Fever,� over ten minutes of pure, late-night, smoky urban blues, which the Jukes nailed perfectly. �It�s Been A Long Time� made a rare appearance in Cardiff, the line �raise a glass to the comrades we�ve lost� now more poignant than ever. Again, �Why Is Love Such A Sacrifice� featured a good-natured dig at a band member, this time Jeff, whose backing vocals prompted Southside to comment �Jeff�s from a Kentucky hick town. We showed him his first roll of toilet paper five years ago and he was astonished. That�s why he makes that sound.� �I make that sound,� replied Jeff, �because I�m tired of listening to your bullshit!� The concert also included �Without Love� (no lighting failure this time), �Tired Skin� (with Chris�s solo as great as ever) and �Cadillac Jack,� which Southside brought to a halt after the band had launched straight into it, because �it�s the only one I ever count off!� The encores began with a spontaneous version of Marvin Gaye�s �Mercy, Mercy Me,� which featured a solo by Joey. �I�ve Been Working Too Hard� saw Southside attempting to annoy Bobby by strangling his guitar strings while he was playing. �On The Beach� came to a thunderous end when he swung his microphone stand over his head and brought it crashing down onto the stage. Finally, the night came to an end with Bobby on lead vocals for �C�mon Caroline,� while Southside stood back with the horn section for a while. �Goodnight, we�ll be back here next week!� he joked. At this rate, they probably will. The dragons will be waiting. |