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Terry Reid

Venue: The Brickyard
Town: Carlisle
Date: 28/9/13
Website: http://www.terryreid.com/

I will be honest I had not heard of Terry Reid. Therefore when I was offered the chance to go and see him, a free ticket and an open mind will always get me motivated, if there is live music involved. After a stint on You tube to do my homework before we set off to Carlisle quite excited at the night ahead. I had no preconceived ideas that super fans often harbour when they go and see their favourite artists live in concert, (and we met a few outside) that could name every gig Terry had played and every song he had sung, they were hard-core fans.

The Brickyard has a student indie vibe with comfy sofas stretching down each side of the room, the stage was set with standard lamps at either side, a black backdrop set out with an array of guitars lined up in a semi circle all waiting eagerly to be played. Terry took to the stage and addressed the intimate crowd in his lovely personable manner. He was genuinely happy to be there and made no apologies for feeling excited. The crowd repaid him with whistles and cheers.

Terry started as he meant to carry on. Launching into Without Expression, I was immediately drawn in, beautiful song, equaled by his compelling guitar playing, willing me to listen. I was hooked from the first song. The atmospheric Faith to Arise came next, the crowd already standing, seemed to stand taller, and collectively moving nearer the stage almost entranced. I Couldn't Hurt You followed and it showed in Terry's stage presence he had settled into his stride and his voice was as strong and powerful as it was rich and soothing. Changing guitars for each song all kept up the mood of the night, we were all there to enjoy ourselves and so was he. It was evident in every chord he played. Asking the audience for any requests, someone from the crowd shouted back losing you by Jim Reeves, telling us he had jammed that song at his kitchen table with him, he hoped he could do the song justice. We were not disappointed he sang it like it was one of his own.

A funny moment when he launched in to Stairway to Heaven , a nod to his sliding doors moment, he sang the first 3 words of the first line and burst into laughter saying gotcha, then regaled us with a funny story of how he played a few bars, when Robert Plant was at one of his gigs. Terry then said the funny thing was he only knew the first bit of the song and had no idea how it went, and he thought maybe Robert Plant was thinking Terry wanted him to get up and sing it with him because RP suddenly disappeared. He never saw him the rest of the night. Tenth song in came Rich Kid Blues, upping the tempo and showing us his flair making which ever guitar he plugged in sing. Compelling to watch and almost hypnotising at one point. Moving onto Don't Know Why I'm (Shy about You) carrying on the momentum.

My stand out tracks for the night had to be Without Expression , I Couldn't Hurt You, Treated You Right, Shy About You, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying , then of course Seed of Memory which absolutely blew me and the rest of the room away, this was the one track the crowd had all hoped he would play and he didn't disappoint, it was amazing, His voice was rich, powerful, harmonious and sounded to me even better than any recording I had heard. The emotion was flooding out of every fibre of his being, we the audience were swept away with him at that moment. As he finished, the crowd erupted in a crescendo of noise and stamping on the wooden floor with chants of "More", Terry overcome with emotion had tears falling down his cheeks as he turned away from the audience to compose himself he couldn't speak and you could feel the emotional attachment that he had for that song.

Composure regained he gave the crowd one more with Don't Worry Baby, this time with us all singing along to the chorus. Two hours and sixteen songs later the night had flown past, I had not moved an inch, staying rooted to the spot. His powerful voice had taken us all on a journey, the whole room was happy to be swept away on a great night of music and musicianship. Outside fans were waiting to chat to Terry he made time for every signing and picture and admitted the night had been a workout and he had thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Showing how humble he was and happy to be there. A great gig a thoroughly nice bloke, who has gained a new Super fan.

Carla Farrar