Lindisfarne were not my usual musical milieu . Yet their folk rock credentials were indisputable, as was the strength of their hit singles which, combined with a strong travelling contingent from Tyneside, filled the hall to capacity for the reformed line up.

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 Line up changes had resulted in them reforming again in 76, The original line-up of Alan Hull, Ray Jackson, Ray Laidlaw, Rod Clements and Simon Cowe reformed in 1976 to perform a one-off gig in Newcastle City Hall  but  was so acclaimed that the band repeated it a year later and decided to get back together on a permanent basis in early 1978, Jack the Lad  comprising  the old members of the bandhaving disbanded after none of their singles or albums on two different labels made the charts. They continued to perform at Newcastle City Hall every Christmas for many years performing a total of 132 shows at the venue overall. They gained a new record deal with Mercury Records and returned to the charts in 1978 with the UK chart top 10 hit “Run For Home”, an autobiographical song about the rigours of touring and relief at returning home.

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Wisely, the crossover blockbuster “Lady Eleanor”, a folk “Stairway to  Heaven” and UK no3  was played early to an ecstatic reception, strategic placement of other hits  “Fog on the Tyne” “Meet me on the Corner”, “we can swing together” and “Run for Home” kept the energy levels high while fan favourite  “Clear white Light” wrapped things up.

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The band are effectively a vehicle  for Alan Hull’s song writing, all of which are strong. Described by some as he Uk’s Bob Dylan, that soubriquet probably overplays his stature, but that does not men that he is not a fine talent on the Uk song writing scene and one of the few to have had several folk rock hits.

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Setlist

Court in the Act

Warm Feeling

Lady Eleanor

Juke Box Gypsy

Winter Song

Make Me Want to Stay

Kings Cross Blues

Brand New Day

Fog on the Tyne

Meet Me on the Corner

Marshall Riley’s Army

We Can Swing Together

Run for Home

Encore:

Clear White Light, Part 2