Suzi Quatro Gateshead - Glasshouse (Sage): 14th December 2023
Right then, last gig of the year (and for a while), and what a one to close out on Suzi (flippin') Quatro. Have to say right off, she exceeded expectations on so many levels. I was expecting a full-on Glam-Rock nostalgia trip, from the original Queen of Glam, but this was a full on Rock gig in it's own right. Yes, the Hits were there, but skilfully mixed in among 50 years of worthy material, including a couple of track from this year's album that Suzi recorded with KT Tunstall.
And what about the band? the core was the standard 4-piece, Suzi really does chug on that Bass, it's not there as ornament. And then, at the close of the first set, she sends the band off and accompanies herself on the keyboard/piano on Can I Be Your Girl. Not only, but during the bass & drums solo piece, she puts the bass down and does a drum duel with the drummer on the kit. Well, she does have an [honorary] doctorate in music from Cambridge Uni.. Great guitar and keys, though just an observation rather than criticism, the guitar was a bit low in the mix, for my taste. two girl backing singers, adding to the vocals, though Suzi's voice still has the power and gravel: didn't expect the 3-piece horn section though, but rather than a Stax-Soul sound, these guys rocked.
Suzi though, she's just pure Detroit legend. Remember, this lass came along the same time as Alice Cooper, and could still hold her own with. She was also one of the first girl band leaders to make mainstream breakthrough, and despite career ups and downs, she's still out and rocking, though maybe not quite as alluring in the leather catsuit as she was in the banner above the stage; but she's the same Rocker at heart.
The set, well, split over 2 sessions, but totalling 2hrs & a bit.
Set List: -
Set 1:
The Wild One
I May Be Too Young
Daytona Demon
Tear Me Apart
Shine a Light (Suzi Quatro & KT Tunstall cover)
Stumblin' In
48 Crash
No Soul/No Control
The Devil In Me
Slow Down (Larry Williams cover)
Rockin' in the Free World (Neil Young cover)
Can I Be Your Girl?
Set 2:
Motor City Riders
I Sold My Soul Today
Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
She's in Love With You
Overload (Suzi Quatro & KT Tunstall cover)
Too Big
Glycerine Queen / Bass Solo
Can the Can
Devil Gate Drive
Encore:
If You Can't Give Me Love
Sweet Little Rock & Roller (Chuck Berry cover)
Encore 2:
Desperado (Eagles cover)
When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...