The Band: April Wine (Myles Goodwyn, Brian Greenway, Jim Clench &
Jerry Mercer)
The Date: Feb. 8, 1997
The Place: Caravan of Dreams, Fort Worth, Texas
The Set List:
Oowatanite
Enough Is Enough
Sign Of The Gypsy Queen
Just Between You And Me
Say Hello
All Over Town
Before The Dawn
Future Tense
Weeping Widow
Comin' Right Down On Top Of Me
Rock 'N' Roll Is A Vicious Game
I Like To Rock
Roller
Rock Myself
Crash And Burn
The Review:
The show began with throbbing police strobe lights and the familiar
steam locomotive-type, cymbal clangs of "Oowatanite". It was a suprise
to hear Jim Clench on lead vocals in the opening number, but he has an
impressively powerful voice that I had never heard before, in concert.
Next, Myles Goodwyn stepped up to the microphone for "Enough Is Enough",
which really got the crowd going. When the chorus of "Sign Of The Gypsy
Queen" came around, the band had the accompaniment of several hundred
fans to support them! This tune featured some very nice guitar harmonies
from Goodwyn and Brian Greenway. Only occaisionally, throughout the
night, did I miss the third guitar. The sound was very full, the mix and
volume was excellent!
Goodwyn introduced the next song as "...originally written for my first
wife, but is dedicated to my second wife", and then the band played a
sweet version of "Just Between You And Me". From there, the band greet-
ed "...friends, old and new" with "Say Hello", after which Myles ex-
changed high fives with several fans.
"All Over Town" came next, and it was solidly performed, but I did miss
the vocoder part ("...now it's all over...") somewhat. I always thought
that it lent a particularly cool feel to the song.
It was now Greenways' turn to front the band, when he assumed lead
vocals on "Before The Dawn". How many bands, out there, would love to have the
diversity of vocal talent that April Wine has? Clench, Goodwyn and
Greenway are all wonderful rock and roll singers.
"Future Tense" was powerfully performed, next (I still miss the vocoder
part - oh well). At the conclusion of this song, Goodwyn launched into
a very middle-eastern sounding guitar solo, that led into a big suprise
"...all the way from 1973" - "Weeping Widow". Again, Clench sang power-
fully, and I felt sad that he was not with the band during its' most
popular stretch (late 70's - early 80's), but it's good that he is
back, now.
An electric piano was set up center stage, and Goodwyn surrendered his
Les Paul for the next two songs. "Comin' Right Down On Top Of Me" was
performed, flawlessly, but the biggest treat came on the next number,
"Rock 'N' Roll Is A Vicious Game", when Greenway relinquished six-string
duties to the guitar technician (Barry S.), so that he could play har-
monica - and he *did* wail! What a great mouth harp player, is Brian
Greenway.
The musicians then returned to their normal set-up and brought the roof down with "I like To Rock", which included an impressive, and very
entertaining, drum solo by Jerry Mercer. He accented his powerful drumming
with singing/chanting/grunting and a unique whistle, that allowed him to
create different tones. From there, the set was concluded with "Roller",
after which the band took several minutes to shake as many hands as pos-
sible before leaving the stage.
The ensuing encore was a bit of a suprise - "Rock Myself To Sleep", from the
early 80's horror movie "Fright Night"! I can't remember the last time
that I heard that tune. This featured some wicked slide guitar from Mr.
Greenway. They then wrapped up the show with the driving "Crash and
Burn", leaving everyone wanting more. Unfortunately, a one and one-half
hours show left many great songs untouched.
After the concert, I was fortunate enough to meet Greenway, Mercer and
Clench. They seem to be fine gentlemen, taking the time to respond to
the most inane questions, from the most intoxicated fans ("...did you
know Kurt Cobain?...will you come to a barbecue at my house tonight?...
the next time you see Geddy Lee, tell 'im I said hey" - sheesh!). They
were all very friendly and forthcoming - Jerry couldn't stop talking
about his carbon-fiber Monolith drums. Clench assured me that they will
return the the Dallas/Fort Worth area, this summer, after the release
of their still-untitled, new recording, and I can hardly wait!