Photograph by Ian D. Hall
L.S. Media Rating *****
Graham Gouldman is one of music’s nice guys and rather than adhering to the proverb of nice guys finishing last, it’s quite easy to see by looking at the faces of every audience member at every gig, that his, and that of 10cc, appeal and fortitude has seen his through to be one of the elder statesmen of the British music scene.
Much respected for his contribution to music across six decades, Graham Gouldman effortlessly plays the music that has thrilled generations of music fans and can have any crowd, no matter how fickle, stop and listen and ultimately love him.
The music of 10cc has reached its 40 year anniversary and with style and grace Graham Gouldman performed two sets for those fans lucky enough to have bought tickets for this wonderful night of music. Starting off the evening with songs he wrote as a young budding musician for such luminaries of the sixties scene, such as Wayne Fontana, Herman’s Hermits, The Yardbirds and The Hollies, Graham and the band played each song with reverence and much love. The crowd were taken back to classic songs such as Pamela, Pamela, Bus Stop, No Milk Today and the brilliant For Your Love. The talented bass player even found time to highlight a couple of new songs that would be available on his new solo album due out in August, the wonderful Daylight and the lament of times past, Memory Lane.
There are few performers who can get away with being their own support, but when you’ve contributed so much to the national identity and the songs you have written have touched a lot of people’s hearts, why not. No one minded and after all it’s his right.
The main part of the evening was all about the music that defined a decade and with the help of Rick Fenn, Mark Wilson, Mike Stevens and Paul Burgess on various instruments and incredible backing vocals, took the serene crowd through some of the best known songs of the period. The band opened up with Second Sitting for the Last Supper, Wall Street Shuffle and the beautiful The Things We Do For Love.
Sometimes it’s too casual to remark that there was not a bad song played at a gig, for Graham Gouldman and 10cc at the Liverpool Philharmonic there genuinely was so much great music to choose from that the band could have played three or four nights running at the venue with different set-lists and still been as interesting, solid and dependable. Giving the audience a night they would carry in their hearts for a long, long time.
Even after playing classic tracks as Good Morning Judge, Feel the Benefit and an outstanding version of Donna, the five men on stage still had plenty to give and after finishing the main part of the set with the much loved Dreadlock Holiday, the band came back on stage to perform a very special a cappella version of the band’s first single from 1972, a reprise of Donna before finishing off an extensive and incredible night at The Liverpool Philharmonic with Rubber Bullets.
There is lot to take from musicians like Graham Gouldman and for the few younger members of the audience, it can only be hoped that what they saw can inspire them to pick up an instrument or two and enjoy the music in a way that the men behind 10cc seem to do.
Ian D. Hall