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Anyone aware of the roots of British pop, must look upon Liverpool with a certain reverence. It's a veritable Mecca of cultural history. With the return of the city's prodigal sons, the Yachts, it seemed the ideal occasion to make my pilgrimage.
It was disappointing to find that the Cavern is now just a hole in the road. The drabness of the Mersey was as depressing as the idea of attending a gig on the river on a rickety old boat.
Even with the Royal Iris securely to the quay, the lurching swell caused the DJ's needle to go scudding over his records and one burly roadie was seen heaving over the side. The better rooms under the middle deck made us feel as if we were in a jungle and sweat was trickling down the back of our necks even before the Liverpudlian chic clique embarked.
But then, all gripes about the discomfort were washed aside when, totally unannounced, a surprise guest staggered on the stage and we were confronted with the bespectacled beast of nearby Birkenhead, Elvis Costello.
The Attractions played with a drive rarely in evidence on vinyl. And what's this, Elvis was smiling and evidently enjoying himself. They delivered a blistering set of greatest hits: "Chelsea," "Detectives," "Accidents," "Oliver's Army"; all sung with such earnest conviction that I found myself listening to them in a new light. With the intimacy of a small stage, the atmosphere was electric and the audience lapped up his good humoured remarks between numbers.
By the time "Pump It Up" closed the 30-minute set, I had been converted. "See you at the bar," the man yelled as he left the stage, and sure enough, there he was to be found talking to the kids and signing autographs.
The official support was Clive Langer and the Boxes. The Boxes — Ian Brody, guitar, James Eller, bass, John Grant, skins — had been rehearsing for two weeks for this one-off promotional gig. It provided Clive with a perfect back-drop for his melodic brand of arty pop. Clive's material is difficult to digest at first hearing, but one number from the EP, 'I Want The Whole World' shone above the fans in the audience, he could have played for an extra hour had the band known any more songs.
Despite the bonus of Elvis, the Yachts were the real stars of the evening. Playing in front of a devoted home crowd, they stormed through all their old favourites: "Mantovani's Hits," "Hazy People," "Yachting Types," "Look Back In Love" et al, and had the fans singing along, (a top Radar person tried to do the same, but got all the lyrics wrong); but it was the newer material which showed just how much they had progressed. It is stronger, more substantial and exciting. "Consequences," penned by Bob and Rocky, showed these qualities best.
With the fanatical following that this group attracts, the ambience was perfect for this maudlin night what with arms linked and joining in the chorus. The Yachts encored with "Suffice To Say," still one of the best non-hits of recent years and soon to be available as a freebie single with the album out in June.
It's only a matter of time before they have that elusive hit, and once they do, they have the material to substantiate their position as purveyors of pure pop.
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