U.K. ; World Cafe Live At The Queen Wilmington, DE 5/7/12

[jimmy19029]

Back in 1978, there arose a progressive rock supergroup named U.K., that included members of other popular progressive groups of the 70s. At the time, I was only familiar with drummer Bill Bruford from his work with Yes. In time, I would get to know the others well; keyboardist/electric violinist Eddie Jobson (from Curved Air, Roxy Music and Frank Zappa's band), guitarist Allan Holdsworth (Soft Machine, Gong and others) and especially, vocalist/bassist John Wetton (who had already made his mark with quite a few groups, including King Crimson, before going on to HUGE success with Asia).

I remember hearing U.K. get alot of airplay here in Philadelphia on our FM radio stations of the time and my friend, Dan Dougherty, became a big fan. I liked what I heard but must admit that they didn't grab me right away as much as others of their genre...like Yes, ELP, Genesis and, later, Asia.

On 8/8/78, U.K. came to Philly to play a free concert at Penn's Landing that is still fondly remembered by fans today. Eddie Jobson even asked for a show of hands tonight of how many were in attendance. I was originally slated to be among that crowd and Dan and another friend, Ted Quo, were all set to come pick me up for the show. But then, at the last minute, I was tapped to go pick up a printing job for my dad's advertising business and was forced to miss out. During the show, I heard, there was a building fire in the area that was started by concertgoers (never heard all the details) and when the firetrucks were delayed getting through the crowd of 100,000 or so who showed up, the city banned rock concerts from Penn's Landing for a number of years after.

In March 1979, U.K. was back for another show here at the Spectrum (alongside Irish rockers Horslips) and I recall this being an important show for Dan, who was attending with his new love (and fellow U.K. fan), Lisa. Of course my memories of this group are hopelessly intertwined with those of my dear friend, who passed on in 2004 (RIP, Dan!).

I was pleasantly surprised to see announcements of a reunion and, even better, a date booked down the road from me. U.K., back with their super powered 1979 trio lineup of Wetton, Jobson and drummer Terry Bozzio (most people know him from the 80s new wave pop band Missing Persons, that was fronted by his then-wife, Dale).

No opening act tonight and the band was onstage by 8:27 with these huge, almost blinding, blue lights shining behind them as Wetton's bass and Jobson's keys thundered and shook the floor. And Bozzio hits those drums pretty hard too!

Last year, when I was here for Ambrosia, there were alot fewer people and even fewer seats....Tonight there was a huge crowd and cocktail tables set up, like in a casino. I ended up next to a huge U.K. fan named Kevin. As the first notes were struck, we both looked at each other and said..."ALASKA"!

Another guy at our table said they added this show since the one at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia tomorrow was sold out.

Highlights for me were Rendezvous 6:02, which I got to know even better when Wetton would play it later in Asia's shows sometimes and In the Dead of Night, which got a fair amount of FM play around these parts back in 1978. I also loved hearing Wetton and Jobson do Fallen Angel from King Crimson and was sorry they dropped another of my Crimson favorites, Starless.

Wetton said he'd never been to Delaware and was happy to have one more state to "tuck into his belt."

Jobson is quite a unique player with his clear electric violin that he used to make all manner of noises and sound effects. At times it even sounded like an electric guitar as he sawed away. After his solo he asked how many are learning to play violin. Then he advised: "Don't do that.." I imagine he meant, don't start out playing it like that.

Wetton was in powerful voice mode all night long, with only a few moments during Rendezvous 6:02 when I couldn't hear him. At first I thought the mic malfunctioned but I believe it was actually his voice dropping low for effect and being drowned out by the instruments.

No moss gathering on Wetton these days! He's even busier now than he was back in the 70s/80s as he's doing tours this year with both U.K. and Asia and STILL working on solo material and other projects!


01 Alaska
02 Night After Night
03 Thirty Years
04 Rendezvous 6:02
05 Carrying No Cross
06 Jobson Solo (including bits of Piano One and Nostalgia, etc.)
07 Bozzio Solo
08 Danger Money
09 In The Dead of Night
10 Caesar's Palace Blues

encores:
11 The Only Thing She Needs
12 Intro/Fallen Angel (from King Crimson)



John Wetton - Vocals, bass
Eddie Jobson - Violin, keyboards, synths, backing vocals
Terry Bozzio - Drums