Balaam and The Angel @ 02 Institute, 12th November, 2016
1986 was an important year for me. It was the time I started to attend gigs on a regular basis,to see bands that would remain with me throughout my life. It’s therefore fitting that many of those bands, thirty years on, are still touring. Some are still recording, such as The Mission having just released, it could be argued, one of their finest. Others are just playing a few gigs for the love of it, and for us, their fans, and friends, as that’s what we are now, thirty years on. I’m referring of course to Balaam and The Angel.
Balaam don’t play many gigs these days, they’ve got other commitments, but on a rare occasion they do grace the stage, and this year, to mark the 30th anniversary of their stunning album, The Greatest Story Ever Told, they have decided to play four gigs, Glasgow, York, Manchester and Birmingham. Small intimate gigs for family and friends.
I went last night to Manchester and it was magical. Seeing and hearing the Brothers Morris is always a delight, and for ninety minutes I’m seventeen again, singing my lungs out, doing ridiculous things with my head and neck and knowing full well I’ll suffer the next day. But of course it’s worth it, and I did exactly the same tonight, when they played their “hometown” gig.
We are in the Institute 3, which I didn’t even know existed, up in the vaults of the Institute building. It’s intimate, with a small stage and a PA to rattle your internal organs. Support is again by Skeletal Family, but rather than a full band as in Manchester, tonight it’s an acoustic affair, which I suspect is due to the stage being too small to accommodate the entire band. They play a wonderful set, despite issues with microphones, feedback and people talking and shouting to each other during the set. An acoustic set! Why do people still insist on coming to a gig and talking through it? Why not stay in the pub? Or stay at home? Or go and stand at the back? Despite this it’s a pleasure to experience Anne-Marie in an acoustic set, she’s as gorgeous as ever and it takes me back to the 1988 tour when she supported Balaam at the Hummingbird. Well they do say things go around in circles.
So to the main event, Balaam playing the Greatest Story Ever Told. It’s one of my all-time favourite albums; it takes me back to a time in my life, a good time, where we were spoilt with the number of great bands around. It was also the start of my gigging obsession. Tonight the Brothers Morris play the album in full, followed by some other key songs from their career. They are joined by Ian McKean for the “heavier” stuff from the ‘Live Free or Die’ era and the power created is superb. It’s no surprise both Ian and Jim now earn a living by teaching music.
In the thirty years, visually, not much has changed, which is good. Des remains the quiet steady powerhouse behind his drum kit. Mark, whilst his hair has reduced in length, still powers each song, and still with that stunning Musicman Stingray bass. Jim remains the true entertainer. Strutting around, on the PA, gesturing to familiar faces he spots in the crowd. It is pure entertainment, some would say nostalgia, but these songs, with the added power of the live set-up are as awesome as they ever were. What a great album and what a great band.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen these fellas, but it’s not enough, which makes attending their rare outings even more important. They next play in December supporting Fields of The Nephilim in London and I’d urge you to get there early if you are going. You’re in for a treat.
New Kind of Love
Don’t Look Down
She Knows
Burn Me Down
Light of The World
Slow Down
The Wave
Warm Again
Never End
Nothing There at All
Day and Night
Would I Die For You
Big City Fun Time Girl
I’ll Show You Something Special
Family and Friends
I Love The Things You Do To Me
World of Light
Love Me
Isabella’s Eyes
Review and photos by Glenn Raybone