Curved Air- Robin Bilston, Wolverhampton
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This was a legacy show for me. As the classic rock and pop era draws to a close so I pick off the odd group I missed first time around.
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I was never a big prog rock fan and saw only two prog rock gigs, , Camel in 78, which bored me to tears, Genesis in 78, which with Phil Collins just on board was shaking off the prog rock shackles and morphing into incredibly successful pop- overall it was dull.
I was familiar with Curved Air’s early material though. Sonja Kristina was a legend, the first lead in Hair, and her marriage to the Police’s Stewart Copeland, then the richest group in the world must have helped her bank balance enormously.
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Curved Air had three consecutive top 20 albums in the early 70’s riding on the success of the top 4 single “Back st luv” and loads of complementary press coverage- and that was pretty much it.
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What of now? Sonja is 76 year old. The fire in the belly, her voice, and her performance ability is still there. But she had a frail appearance, announcing recent illness resulting in reduced mobility and some memory loss and frequently sat down on a stage chair.
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Back st luv was sensational, enlivened by an outstanding guitar solo by Kirby Gregory. “Melinda” ( about a girl who lived in a cupboard) and “Marie Antoinette” were sublime. “Vivaldi!” was zany brilliance
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I am glad that I have seen her and the band, live but worry as to whether her health can bear the dates into next year which are planned.
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A 4.30pm Sunday afternoon start and a two hour show interspersed with a twenty minute tea break gave proceedings a somewhat surreal air. Finished for 6.30pm.
Garyswordz 