Alan Barrow of Magnum. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. May 2008.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the now classic Wings of Heaven, Magnum arrived on stage to thunderous applause from a near capacity audience.
Opening the night with Back to Earth and the impressive version of the bouncy crowd pleaser When We Were Younger, the Midland based band breezed effortlessly through a two hour set without comprising their subtlety of sound.
Other old favourites such as the stomping Vigilante and Midnight You Won’t Be Sleeping were given a new lease of life, helped in part by Magnum’s borrowed drummer, no less than Thunder’s Harry James.
The Wings of Heaven album was then played in its entirety, starting with the ever poignant Days of No Trust and the beautiful Wild Swan.
Bob Catley wowed the audience with a voice that has not lost its edge and Tony Clarkin’s excellent guitar work was very much in evidence with Start Talkin’ Love and the ever popular Different Worlds. The band finished on a high with the storming Don’t Wake the Lion and encores of All England’s Eyes and Kingdom of Madness.
Ian D. Hall