Lindisfarne - Christmas Show 2013.

Talk about a blast from the past!

Okay, so not a band you'd primarily associate on a forum like this, but coming from the late 60s early 70s time when folk/blues/prog and rock were sort of merged.... This news probably only has special status with those of us north of Leeds and south of Edinburgh and of a "certain age". However, this is most likely in response to the difficult times Newcastle City Hall is experiencing; a look back to those halcyon days when the Lindisfarne Christmas Shows used to fill City Hall for 10 night runs.

The show is being billed as: Ray Jackson’s Legendary LINDISFARNE Christmas Show;

“Jacka” last fronted the original Lindisfarne, along with the late Alan Hull, 20 years ago Since then he has turned down many suggestions that he return to Newcastle City Hall at Christmas to recreate the unique Christmas Show.

Famous for the distinctive sound of his mandolin and harmonica playing, Ray Jackson was as much the band’s lead singer and entertainer as Alan Hull was the main songwriter and joint front man. For many, Ray Jackson was key to creating the authentic sound of Lindisfarne.

On December 23rd 2013, Newcastle City Hall’s audience can swing together again to Ray Jackson’s faithful recreation of the original 1970s Christmas Show… complete with decorated stage, Santa compere… Party hats… Sword dances… The original organ overture… and nothing but songs from the original band’s best selling 1970’s chart albums… Nicely Out of Tune; Dingly Dell; Fog On The Tyne and Back and Fourth… A full show of original Lindisfarne music with an interval and no support.

May only be a shadow of the original events, even though in the later years, the Lindisfarne line-up was pretty fluid, there’s no guarantees as to how many members will return; Alan Hull sadly no longer with us; but with feelings running high for the preservation of City Hall, all bets are off.

Tickets on sale Wednesday 6th February from 10am

Also worth noting, original and founder member Rod Clements has been touring for a couple of years with another Newcastle favourite son, Billy Mitchell as The Lindisfarne Story, and will be performing as such at Newcastle City Hall on June 8th 2013.

Either show has to bring back memories of “sitting in a sleazy snack-bar sucking sickly sausage rolls….”

Mike