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Historic Tour Finale Rocks Radio City Music Hall! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch "What I didn't know about myself, at the time, is that I'm incredibly determined," Glenn Tilbrook relayed to Rockin' Rich Lynch on his August 2008 appearance on the Kweevak Radio Show at the start of Squeeze's most recent tour of the United States. He was talking about viewing a documentary film about him called One For The Road that chronicled his emerging solo career in the wake of Squeeze's late 90's demise. "I quite like that about myself. It took seeing that movie for me to realize that I had that."
 A determined Glenn Tilbrook onstage in New York City. What fans and observers are learning now is just how determined Tilbrook is to see his classic band return to the highest echelon of achievement while setting the stage for an even grander comeback in the future. When Squeeze re-emerged last year from near-fatal dormancy the band touched base with their fans in mostly small rooms - with a strong emphasis on rekindling the fire with their adherents in the Squeeze stronghold of the East Coast of America. By playing larger theaters in 2008 in Nashville (Ryman), Los Angeles (Orpheum), and New York (Radio City Music Hall) the band is putting the music industry on notice that they are back and armed with a strategy to renew the level of success they achieved at their pinnacle of popularity back in the late 1980's. A new CD of original music is on the drawing board for 2009 and you know the lads will be back again in support of the new recordings thus building on the momentum and excitement from their first two annual forays back to the U.S. since disbanding nine years ago. Squeeze performed at the venerable Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 19, 2008. Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, the founders of Squeeze, came out first for "Strong In Reason" from the band's promising debut, UK Squeeze. Soon the rest of the outfit joined in for this serious and snappy start. Tilbrook was wearing a flashy yellow suit in comparison to Difford who was clad in darker hues.
 Chris Difford is the main lyricist for the vast Squeeze catalogue. Squeeze delivered a strong set of power-pop classics. They executed their hits with energy and enthusiasm. The fan favorites were well received by the near capacity crowd who were on their feet frequently singing the familiar refrains. "If I Didn't Love You" was colorful and concise. A good showcase for their signature sound of the contrasting vocals of Glenn's high ranges and Chris's low register. Tilbrook gushed on his leads and throughout the night his guitar work was impressive. Multimedia was well used in the show with a large video back-drop behind the band and two stage side screens. Visuals, art and occasional band clips were utilized during the concert. "Take Me I'm Yours" was sassy with each sound distinct and demanding. "Nice to wake up and see you," greeted Glenn before returning to the music. There was a bit of bantering but for the most part Squeeze played their songs with precision with some limited exploratory expansion on the original formats. "It's So Dirty" had a dizzying dynamic enhanced by dense guitar licks. "Black Coffee In Bed" was brisk with the audience handling backing vocals. "Annie Get Your Gun" flowed like a musical conversation with punchy piano parts punctuated by percussion - another crowd connector. "Goodbye Girl" was spirited and kept fans on their feet. The song featured a short jam. "Tempted" was teasing and tight and was followed by "Slaughtered, Gutted and Heartbroken" which had a bluesy feel and some sizable keyboard work from Stephen Large.
 Long-time Squeeze bass player John Bentley is back in the fold. "Is That Love" was lush and another opportunity for the audience to participate. "Cool For Cats" echoed of the New Wave movement and featured harmonies, peppy piano work and a stalking solo from Tilbrook. Squeeze nailed "Another Nail For My Heart" and closed the set with the timeless "Hourglass". "Slap and Tickle" was tantalizing and incorporated Star Wars like sound effects via Glenn's theremin synth work with flashing lights. "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" was tasteful and a satisfying closer. Squeeze delivered a concert filled with classic fan favorites that were succinct with some subtle changes. Thus, demonstrating that Squeeze is still a musical force to be reckoned with. "Squeeze makes my life easier for me," Tilbrook continued in the radio interview with Lynch alluding to the greater exposure and bigger touring checks available to him by keeping the unit alive. "I can devote more time to doing some other things." Some of the things Glenn has kept himself busy with since Squeeze's break-up in 1999 have been the completion of two proper solo albums in addition to a soon to be released debut CD from his new band - The Fluffers. Tilbrook's writing partner Chris Difford has also been active during the Squeeze hiatus releasing his debut solo record, a heralded follow-up of his take on many Squeeze classics, and 2008's offering - The Last Temptation of Chris.
 Chris Difford has just released a new solo album. Part of the formula for the band's impressive return to fortuitous touring has been smart pairings to guarantee an evening's worth of quality performance - especially in light of the fact that Squeeze seems intent on offering high-impact 90 minute sets. On their 2007 jaunt through the States Squeeze was joined by Will Hoge, Cheap Trick and Fountains of Wayne to help fill out the evening. In 2008, they shared the bills with long-time friend Aimee Mann on many nights. By connecting with younger bands and maintaining musical alliances Squeeze are re-building their brand on a strong foundation. Perhaps the next step in the master plan would include the creation of an annual "Squeeze Fest" to tour larger arenas as they've done in the past. By teaming up with many of their new friends and classic contemporaries for multi-act concerts Squeeze would have made it all the way back in a quick and resolute manner. Opening for Squeeze at Radio City Music Hall was James who was alluring, engaging and enigmatic. The band was founded in the early 80's and they were fast heralded as "the next Smiths". Their mix of alternative and pop was praised by their idol Morrissey but like many bands they have had their far share of changes and turmoil. Today, they are back with their tenth album Hey Ma and are enchanting audiences with their tribal-like live performances. There was a lot of equipment and people on the stage and James also made full use of lights and visual effects. Tim Booth is the charismatic front man who brings much emotion and energy to the music. James was a blend of speeds, styles and sounds - melding traditional rock instruments with horns, percussion and violin. Tim was engaging and during the band's instrumentals he danced wildly. The music had many textures and tones with ample opportunities for players to take center stage. One of the most powerful pieces of the night was the title track from James' most recent record. Booth bluntly stated that the new track is about "Mr. Bush's and Mr. Blair's disastrous foreign policy". The song spoke of the Twin Towers falling and war bodies coming home in bags. The track ran the gamut from reflective to roaring with crashing instrumentation and chord changes.
 Glenn Tilbrook front's Squeeze and another quartet - The Fluffers. During the fan favorite "I Wanna Go Home" the band worked from a gentle groove to a bold build up. Tim was singing as he walked up the aisles of Radio City, reaching out to fans and climbing over seats. Eventually returning to the stage, Tim gyrated to a vibrant violin solo. Booth also mentioned that the last time they played the venue that his father had just passed way. The next song was about being away from the ones you love. It was wishful with wavy instrumentation, dramatic pauses and impassioned vocals. James was animated and appealing with compositions that were compelling and colorful. Charisma and first-class musicianship also added to the live experience and James was a sturdy opening act for the time tested Squeeze. What does the future actually hold for Glenn and Chris and the much loved 5-piece from England called Squeeze? Will a new CD propel them back to the top of the charts and help them fill arenas like Madison Square Garden on future tours of America? Well, that's yet to be determined. But, that's just what their front-man is, so anything is possible!
SETLIST:
 Tim Booth and James were alluring and engaging.
 Originally Published: 09/22/2008 on Kweevak.com |
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