Taste Tarantulas, Elegantly Ageing Hipsters, Decedent Dilatantes, Debauched Philanderers, Ne'er-do-wells & All Other Interested Parties,
Shortly, many will be departing for the town that has the aura of one that is permanently helping the police with their enquiries - Brighton - for the penultimate show on this amazing tour.
The purpose of this missive is to invite those attending this spectacle to enjoy a pre-fandango cocktail together (partager un verre ensemble).
In order for this to happen, Windswept will be taking up residence at 5:15pm on Friday November 22nd in the "Hotel du Vin Pub" (NOT the Hotel bar).The Pub adjoins the hotel and is entered through a yellow door.
The address is 2-6 Ship Street, The Lanes and it is about a 5 minute walk from The Dome.
In order that I can be recognised and in honour of the event I will be wearing, amongst other things, the finest navy silk knitted tie with hand sewn white spots. To signal recognition, all you have to do is to walk up to said man and say;"You are Monsieur Windswept with the Charvet tie" (this is my homage to Graham Greene's Brighton Rock were Hale had to be challenged with the words; "You are Mr.Kolley Kibber.I claim the Daily Messenger prize.").
Seriously, it would be great to have a drink before the gig — let's meet up and I'll buy you one or even better, you can buy me one.
Regards,
Windswept.

Dear WS2
Mr and Mrs Roxysiren will attempt to get to Brighton a little earlier....and we would be delighted to join you there for a cocktail!

Cher Roxysiren,
Great - looking forward to meeting Madame and your good self. It promises to be a great night.
Regards,
Windswept

I'll be there too, as previously arranged with Windswept2 when we met at the RAH recently.

Looking forward to putting some faces to names!

Elegant & Beautifully Maturing Hipsters,
This is the only time I've ever taken in two shows from the same tour and did it because I'd been so blown away by "The Jazz Age" and the BFO.
That said, after the triumph that was the RAH I was approaching this last outing with some trepidation. The fear being that I was in danger of getting a little over Ferried.
As previously reported, Mrs.Windswept had declined the second gig. Albeit ,she did say she'd go if I moved the venue to St.Barts and bought her a Kelly bag. The fact that Brighton is also seaside and I promised I'd find her a nice sac from one of the lanes' boutiques didn't persuade her. Frankly, I sometimes question;"Is Your Love Strong Enough?"
Anyway, it was against this backdrop that I sallied forth.
I needn't have worried. Due to "A Simple Twist Of Fate" and the overwhelming generosity and comradeship of those that haunt this hallowed cyber hall, yours truly finished up — rather unexpectedly — front and centre of the action .
What a night this turned out to be!
First off, I think there is something special about seeing a gig in a music town and I certainly classify Brighton as being that. I love the eclectic nature of the place and the joie de vivre of those Brightonians certainly lit up "The Dome".
Secondly, seeing the same gig twice is a bit like watching your favourite movie. You more or less know what's coming so you concentrate on the detail and notice things that you missed on the first viewing.
I found this show particularly fascinating. As well as enjoying Geordie's favourite son's phenomenal performance, being close to the action, I became quite fixated with the sumptuous backdrop visuals, Ollie Thompson's string bending, our hero's LV Tux, the beautiful and talented Jodie & Bobbie, Cherisse Osei's relentless rhythm and those note perfect Jazz heads.
The whole show is really a masterpiece worthy of Cecil B. DeMille. On balance, I preferred The Dome to the RAH. It has an intimacy that enhanced the "Cotton Club" atmosphere. I really prefer these medium size venues providing , like The Dome, they have great acoustics.
The only surprise on the set list was the inclusion of "Can't Let Go" were our hero's blistering rendition was supported by backdrop visuals that made you feel like you were driving down Mulholland Drive - amazing!
As with all of this wasn't enough, the "Simple Twist Of Fate" I alluded to earlier saw me at the after party where we were serenaded by part of the BFO, got to hang out with band, have a meet, greet and photo call with our hero and have a drink.
Another first for me was being able to mix with the other fans. At previous gigs, I've been with Mrs.Windswept and friends. This is the first time I've met fellow Roxologists and Ferryistas and talked about our mutual interest. What a great bunch they are. It seems like the concept of an unintelligent or uncool Ferry fan is yet to be invented!
All in all a great night and a special thank you to Monsieur Roxysiren and Monsieur Smudge for the parts they played in making the evening so special.
Better than a week in St.Barts and I saved the money on the Kelly bag too!
Mind you, Mrs.Windswept was mighty jealous when she heard about the after party!
Here's hoping we have a Jazz Age2 and that the BFO take up residency at Ronnie Scotts - I'd be there every night.
Regards,
Windswept.

Sounds like you had a fantastic evening Monsieur Windswept!

Cher Roxy,
Nous avons eu une très bonne soirée - it was fantastic!
In fact, if I could work this IT stuff I'd give it ten smiley faces.
That said, I'm still puzzling over wether to give this "Windswept's Greatest Gig" award or to let ATGB keep it. Decisions, decisions ….
What do you think?
Regards,
Windswept

"Mon Dieu!"

If meeting the alumni of the VRM University, unexpectedly meeting the band, greeting the Maestro and having a photograph to treasure doesn't secure the "Windswept's Greatest Gig" award then what would!?

Cher Roxy,
Tu as raison!
On reflection, AEWBF takes "Windswept's Greatest Gig" award in a photo finish with ATGB second and the 2001 Roxy Revival coming a close third.
The reason being the level of creativity.
Like ATGB, AEWBF juxtaposed styles of music and certainly I think that our hero's interpretation of the songs of the '30s & '40s, are quite the best (albeit Robert Palmer's "Riding High" runs him a close second) and the tour was fabulous. I think the absolute ingenuity and the joy of the BFO interpretation of his own compositions with "The Jazz Age" wins through and to hit the road just two years after "Olympia" with a triumph like this is unprecedented.
While all the others are treading water, our hero is innovating in a way that is quite unprecedented. The effort that he put into this production is an enormous credit to both him, his musical troubadours and his artistic/technical support.
He got everything so right even down to the half time costume change!
Loved it to bits and I hope we get a DVD and a live album.
Furthermore, I would love the BFO to stay around and play Ronnie Scotts - that would be so cool!
One things for sure, it is not possible to get "over Ferried".
Regards,
Windswept

It was a great evening. I'm so pleased to have been there. Great performance, set list, afterparty etc.
I was also delighted to meet some old friends, as well as some old cyberfriends, Windswept and Smudge, in person. Marvellous.
On balance, my favourite BF gig. Probably my equal fave BF/RM gig (along with RM reunion at beginning of millennium ).